Tomb Guard Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- 10 years ago
September 18, 2014 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Each soldier who volunteers for duty at the Tomb has memorized Arlington National Cemetery history and passes tests to qualify. Their height must be between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall, with a proportionate weight and build with an unblemished military history.
Each sentinel walks at a cadence of 90 steps per minute.
"The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun salute,"
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore-the-Cemetery/Changing-of-the-Guard
Each soldier who volunteers for duty at the Tomb has memorized Arlington National Cemetery history and passes tests to qualify. Their height must be between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall, with a proportionate weight and build with an unblemished military history.
Each sentinel walks at a cadence of 90 steps per minute.
"The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun salute,"
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore-the-Cemetery/Changing-of-the-Guard