The tomb has been gurded 24 hours a day, seven days a week since 1937.
Tomb guards come from the 3rd US infantry regiment "the old guard". Serving the US since 1974, the Old Guard is the oldest active infantry unit in the military. They keep watch over the memorial every minute of every day, including when the cemetery is closed and in inclement weather.
Becoming a Tomb Guard is incredibly difficult. Memeber of the Old Guard must apply for the position. If choosen, the applicant goes through an intense training period, in which they must past tests on weapons, ceremonial steeps, cadence, military bearing uniforms preparation and orders. Tomb Guards have the highest standards of uniform than any other service person. They must memorize 35 pages of the history of the tomb. Once they are slected, guards "walk the mat" in front of the tomb for anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours, depending on the time of year and time of day. They work in 24 hour shifts, however when they arent walking the mat, they're in the living quartes beneath it. This gives them time to complete training and prepare their uniforms, which can take up to eight hours.
The Tomb Guards badge is the least awarded badge in the army and the second least awarded in the overall military (the first is the astronaut badge). Tomb Guards are held to the highest standards of behavior and can have their badges taken away for any action on or off duty that could bring disrespect to the tomb, this is for the entire life of the guard.
Only three women have ever held the post.
Everything the Guards do is a series of 21, which alludes to the 21 gun salute.
The sentinel does not execute an about face, rather the stop on the 21st step. Then they turn and face the tomb for 21 seconds. Then they turn face back to the mat, change the weapon to the outside shoulder, mentally count to 21 seconds, then step off for another 21 steps down the mat. At the end of every 21 step down the mat, they turn and face the tomb for 21 seconds.
Their gloves that they wear are wet and are to remain wet, this is so the will not loose grip of the riffle.
Guards are not permitted to ever swear in public for the entire life.
They wear specially made shoes to protect from heat and cold. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make a loud click as the come to a hault.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lent on the uniforms, guards dress for duty in front of a full length mirror.
For the first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch tv. All duty time is spent studing the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must know who they are and where they are interred.
AND WE COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR JOB.
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Pictures provided by wikipedia