Monument Monday – Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery

The Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington, DC has been guarded around the clock, 365 days-a-year, since 1937. 

Beginning after World War II, a special detail from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also called The Old Guard, have been protecting the tomb.

The tomb, honoring an unidentified soldier who died during World War I in France was created in 1921.  The soldier was initially buried in Arlington National Cemetery in a crypt with a white marble top.  Eleven years later, a formal white marble sarcophagus was installed. 

In 1958, the tomb was expended to honor two unidentified soldiers who perished in battle during World War II and in the Korean War.

In 1984, the remains of a Vietnam War soldier that had not been identified were also interred in the tomb. But through DNA identification, the soldier’s identity was later determined in 1998 and the remains were moved to another marked grave. 
There are many false rumors about the life of a tomb Sentinel, including:

• The sentinels are Marines – False, they are Army soldiers.
• The soldiers are called “guards” – False, they are referred to as “Sentinels”.
• That members of the tomb’s honor guard take an oath to never drink, smoke or use foul language – False.
• A two-year commitment to the posting is required – False, most spend 9 months in training, then another 9 months as Sentinels, before transferring to other assignments.
• Guards live under the Amphitheatre next to the tomb – False, they are billeted at nearby Ft. Myer, but there is a room where Sentinels spend time between sessions.
•  There have never been any female Sentinels – again False.  There have been 3 female Sentinels who have guarded the tomb.
• The green shack is for the Sentinels to use during cold or rainy days – False, it’s for guards to use during wreath-laying ceremonies and has a phone in the event the Sentinel needs to contact the other guards. 
• Sentinels are just there for show – False.  Sentinels will aggressively challenge and stop visitors who get too close to the tomb, including children. (I saw it happen once.)

During the warmer months, (April – September), the Sentinels are changed every 30 thirty minutes, and every hour during the winter.  When the cemetery is closed to the public, the guard is changed every 2 hours, but Sentinels still pace back and forth in front of the tomb.
To become a Sentinel, soldiers of the Old Guard must be at least 5’11″ and no taller than 6’4″ to be selected.  While on guard duty, each Sentinel wears a “dress blue” uniform and, in foul weather, a dark navy blue raincoat or overcoat. The guards carries a M14 rifle with a bayonet attached and wears white gloves and if approved, sunglasses.
The Sentinels typically are Private First Class (PFC) through Specialist (SPC), while the platoon leaders are all non-commissioned officers – Corporals and Sergeants.
Here’s a video I shot of the full ceremony.

In front of the tomb, above the Amphitheatre is a small museum with medals, patches, plaques and other memorabilia. 

The Sentinels Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty is total and whole-hearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect, his bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day, alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

To reduce the amount of walking (about 2-3 miles), TourMobile offers a four-stop tour of the cemetery. The stops include the grave sites of John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, The Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington House (Robert E. Lee’s home) and the visitor’s center.

Tomb of the Unknowns & Changing of the Guard
Arlington National Cemetery
Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 110) and Memorial Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22211  (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily – 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., until 7:00 p.m. April 1 to September 30.

Tickets – Admission to the cemetery is free.  TourMobile tickets, Adults – $7.50, Senior s – $6.50 and children 3–11 – $3.75 and are available at the visitor’s center.

Nearest Metro  Subway Station – Arlington Cemetery – Blue line. line, then a 1-block walk.

Parking – Limited paid garage parking is available at $1.75 per hour for the first 3 hours, and $2.00 for each hour thereafter.

Images and Video – from personal collection ©2009, Jon Rochetti