Honor Honor GuardGuardLessonLessonTomb of the Tomb of the

UnknownUnknownSoldierSoldier

Only 400 of these badges Only 400 of these badges have been distributed to have been distributed to

date…date…

find out why.find out why.

Objectives

We are learning about this topic so that it will help us understand our job, being an

Honor Guard for the Vietnam (and All) Veteran’s Memorial at Wickham Park.

Also, we are “training” for this billet. What that means is that we need an

understanding of WHY we train…so we can do the BEST possible job and be

READY for it.

Background Background InformationInformation

The Tomb of the Unknowns The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery at Arlington National Cemetery

in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington, Virginia, is also known as is also known as

the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and has never been officially named. and has never been officially named.

The Tomb of the Unknowns stands The Tomb of the Unknowns stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, atop a hill overlooking Washington,

D.C. D.C.

GuardsGuards

The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the days-per year by specially trained members of the

3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard)3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard)..

FAQ’sFAQ’s

All of the FAQ’s (All of the FAQ’s (FFrequently requently AAsked sked QQuestionuestionss) come from this website:) come from this website:

http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.htmlhttp://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html

All the FAQ’s in this lesson were found at All the FAQ’s in this lesson were found at the above website and is intended for the above website and is intended for educational purposes only.educational purposes only.

Lets “really” look at this Lets “really” look at this picture…picture…

what do YOU see.what do YOU see.

FAQ’sFAQ’s

How does the Guard rotation work? Is it an 8 hour How does the Guard rotation work? Is it an 8 hour shift?shift?Currently, the Tomb Guards work on a three Relief Currently, the Tomb Guards work on a three Relief

(team) rotation - 24 hours on, 24 hours off, (team) rotation - 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on,

96 hours off.  96 hours off.  However, over the years it has been different. However, over the years it has been different.

The time off isn't exactly free time. The time off isn't exactly free time. It takes the average Sentinel 8 hours to prep his/her It takes the average Sentinel 8 hours to prep his/her

uniform for the next work day.  uniform for the next work day.  Additionally, they have Physical Training, Additionally, they have Physical Training, Tomb Guard Tomb Guard

trainingtraining, and haircuts to complete before the next , and haircuts to complete before the next work day.work day.

Tomb of the UnknownsTomb of the Unknowns

InscriptionInscription

HERE RESTS IN HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY HONORED GLORY

AN AMERICAN AN AMERICAN SOLDIER SOLDIER

KNOWN BUT TO GOD KNOWN BUT TO GOD

Guarding in the rain.Guarding in the rain.

An important date…An important date…On March 4, 1921, On March 4, 1921,

Congress approved the burial Congress approved the burial

of an unidentified American soldier of an unidentified American soldier

from World War I from World War I

in the plaza of the new Memorial in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater. Amphitheater.

FAQ’sFAQ’s

How many steps does the Guard take during How many steps does the Guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns and why?and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given salute, which is the highest honor given

any military or foreign dignitary.any military or foreign dignitary.

The mission of the Guard of Honor, The mission of the Guard of Honor, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is as Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is as

follows:follows:

Responsible for maintaining the highest Responsible for maintaining the highest standards and traditions of the United standards and traditions of the United States Army and this Nation while keeping States Army and this Nation while keeping a constant vigil at this national shrine. a constant vigil at this national shrine.

Prevent any desecration or disrespect Prevent any desecration or disrespect directed toward the Tomb of the Unknown directed toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.Soldier.

The 1950’sThe 1950’s

FAQ’sFAQ’s

Why are his gloves wet?Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened His gloves are moistened

to improve his grip on the rifle.to improve his grip on the rifle.

The The PresentPresent

What do you What do you think it feels think it feels like to wear like to wear THIS THIS uniform?uniform?

FAQ’s

Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his  march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to  the outside shoulder.

The Guard’s NamesThe Guard’s Names

FAQ’s

How often are the guards changed?

       Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day,  365 days a year. 

Phillip Fahrenholz,  (2004-present) just received his Phillip Fahrenholz,  (2004-present) just received his Badge and is standing next to Don Fahrenholz (1958-Badge and is standing next to Don Fahrenholz (1958-60). 60).

The first father and son to be BadgeholdersThe first father and son to be Badgeholders

FAQsFAQsWhat are the physical traits of the guard limited to?What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

       For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be

between  5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."  Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on

or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the

rest of their lives and  cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb.

There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their

lives or give up the wreath pin.

More information…More information…

                The shoes are specially made with The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat very thick soles to keep the heat

 and cold from their feet. There are  and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the metal heel plates that extend to the  top of the shoe in order to make the  top of the shoe in order to make the

loud click as they come to a halt. loud click as they come to a halt.  There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on  There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on

the uniform. Guards dress for duty the uniform. Guards dress for duty  in front of a full-length mirror.  in front of a full-length mirror.

And…And…

The first six months of duty a guard cannot The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.  talk to anyone, nor watch TV. 

All off duty time is spent studying the 175 All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington notable people laid to rest in Arlington

National Cemetery. National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are A guard must memorize who they are

and where they are interred. and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe

E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most winner Audie Murphy, {the most

decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. fame.

Resourceswww.arlingtoncemetery.net/tombofun.htmwww.mdw.army.mil/fs-a04.htmwww.tombguard.orgwww.arlingtoncemetery.org/visitor_ information/tomb_of_the_unknowns.htmlhttp://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/thirdinf.htm

Lesson compiled by ENS Summerlin for educational purposes ONLY.http://www.spaceportbattalion.org/