# Tomb of the Unknown Soldier **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [January 25, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522 "2011-01-25T03:45:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/1 "2011-01-25T03:45:48Z")
Cross-posting this from another forum I’m on, I found this really interesting. I had no idea the requirements for this were so strict and followed. [quote=“GS Resources”"] Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns andwhy? 21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. ![http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/PA34Driver/Arlington2.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/b/a/ba9c1ab56cef8b755fcfec03e63c26f269a20e61.jpeg) 1. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1 ![http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/PA34Driver/Arlington3.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/1/b/1b669321962e8ee2bce28e9380add28e46454dbd.jpeg) 1. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle. ![http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/PA34Driver/Arlington4.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/8/8/886730451bd745f6b67a4ebc324aecb368c353c1.jpeg) 1. 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. ![http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/PA34Driver/Arlington5.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/1/7/1715ea7c323e0cca36e79dc669a728667af02756.jpeg) 1. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. ![http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/PA34Driver/Arlington6.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/2/1/213854951f14d189bb4dee3b53336d0219f0efb8.jpeg) 1. 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. 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 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. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe Lewis {the boxer} Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty. ![http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/PA34Driver/Arlington7.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/7/f/7fb54a3854a0ba4ad705eddc0611943263b3cc80.jpeg) In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, “No way, Sir!” Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. ![http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd171/PA34Driver/Arlington8.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/6/0/60c10af4bb6f5a2ebd143a75b2c44bedceded5ca.jpeg) [/quote] :bigtup: ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/2 "2011-01-25T04:23:07Z")
I’ve been there before. That honestly sounds like the worst job ever. I’d rather be scrubbing toilets. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 4:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/3 "2011-01-25T04:25:43Z")
It’s an honor type of time, that’s what separates the regular soldier from the tomb guard. ---
**Author:** ![KuntryQuestTSi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kuntryquesttsi/32/5010_2.png) [@KuntryQuestTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KuntryQuestTSi)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/4 "2011-01-25T05:02:59Z")
> [@ProgRocker](#): > > I’ve been there before. That honestly sounds like the worst job ever. I’d rather be scrubbing toilets. Screw toilets, I would love to be a guard there. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/5 "2011-01-25T05:26:00Z")
> [@Motocrossx23](#): > > It’s an honor type of time, that’s what separates the regular soldier from the tomb guard. I get the whole honor thing, but I have no interest in doing the following: _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 or the tomb in any way._ _The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV_ _All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery . A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred._ _Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty._ ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/6 "2011-01-25T05:28:17Z")
LOL You realize a lot of that stuff is BS??? [http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html](http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html) "Is it true 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. No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb is about a year. There is NO set time for service there. The Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. They do have living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts, but when they are off, they are off. And if they are of legal age, they may drink anything they like, except while on duty. Is it true they cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives? Again, another false rumor. " > **[FACT CHECK: Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/honor-guard/)** > > A popular viral item describes the duties and obligations of honor guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Do any of you ever check things before you post them??? Everything on the internet isn’t true ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/7 "2011-01-25T06:01:20Z")
Still pretty crazy that there is someone marching there 24/7. I wonder if they really keep it up all night when nobody is watching. I mean, they’re human and that’s an awful lot of pomp and circumstance. Either way it’s impressive as hell to see. I can’t seem to find it online, but when I was there they said that the Old Guard also has the responsibility to deploy into DC to protect the president if attacked? Dunno, maybe they were just making it sound cooler that they conduct ceremonies for various things including for the president? ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/8 "2011-01-25T06:07:19Z")
God these fucking email forwards are the worst, they’re always so poorly written and full of bullshit ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/9 "2011-01-25T06:19:24Z")
Didn’t they figure out who he was? I thought I remember someone having an article of they know who the solider is or does it change once they know who it is? Seems like there would be a lot more than one unknown soldier with all the wars and conflicts we have going on. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/10 "2011-01-25T06:37:26Z")
It’s actually called the Tomb of the Unknowns. It’s a monument to all of the unknowns, because your logic is spot on: There are way more than one. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 6:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/11 "2011-01-25T06:38:21Z")
> [@boxxa](#): > > Didn’t they figure out who he was? I thought I remember someone having an article of they know who the solider is or does it change once they know who it is? Seems like there would be a lot more than one unknown soldier with all the wars and conflicts we have going on. I thought I read that also…I think it’s a marker for all the unknowns from the war(s). Check out the wikipedia article. Seems that way to me. \ what fry said. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/12 "2011-01-25T12:40:26Z")
> [@LZ](#): > > LOL > > You realize a lot of that stuff is BS??? > > [Society of the Honor Guard | Page Not Found: 404](http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html) > > "Is it true 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. > > No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb is about a year. There is NO set time for service there. The Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. They do have living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts, but when they are off, they are off. And if they are of legal age, they may drink anything they like, except while on duty. > > Is it true they cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives? > > Again, another false rumor. " > > [Does Arlington National Cemetery's Honor Guard Follow These Strict Rules? | Snopes.com](http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp) > > Do any of you ever check things before you post them??? Everything on the internet isn’t true Oh I’m sorry, I was born yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 12:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/13 "2011-01-25T12:49:07Z")
> [@Motocrossx23](#): > > Oh I’m sorry, I was born yesterday. Happy Birthday ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/14 "2011-01-25T13:06:33Z")
Welcome to the internet home of many truths ---
**Author:** ![boxxa](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxxa/32/5045_2.png) [@boxxa](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boxxa)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/15 "2011-01-25T14:17:20Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > It’s actually called the Tomb of the Unknowns. It’s a monument to all of the unknowns, because your logic is spot on: There are way more than one. Ah ok that was it. I remember there was definitely something with it and it was more of a tribute than an actual dude no one knows who it is. Haha. ---
**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/208522/16 "2011-01-25T14:21:28Z")
Show me a soldier who doesn’t swear or drink and I’ll show you a living breathing unicorn