The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery is guarded year-round, 24 hours a day by sentinels from the oldest regiment in the U.S. Army, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment - best known as The Old Guard. Formed in 1874, it is the only infantry unit that can trace its lineage back to the Continental Army.
The unit received its name from Gen. Winfield Scott at the victory parade in Mexico City in 1848 following the Mexican War. As the 3rd Infantry approached the reviewing stand, Scott removed his hat and said of the unit that had so distinguished itself in that campaign, "Gentlemen, take off your hats to The Old Guard of the Army."
Only the best of The Old Guard serve as Tomb Guards. Every element of their dress is symbolic of the history, heritage, and tradition of the U.S. Army. Honor guards spend hours attending to every detail of their dress blue uniforms, which are reminiscent of the Army uniforms from the late 1800's. Every pleat is pressed, buttons and shoes are highly polished. Badges and full medals are worn. The buff strap on the left shoulder recalls the knapsack straps that originally displayed the unit's colors. Soldiers who achieve the post of Tomb Guard receive the prestigious Tomb of the Unknown Soldier badge, one of the rarest awards that can be recieved.
Sentinals carry pristinely maintained M-14 rifles with fixed bayonets. As a gesture against intrusion on his post, the weapon is always carried on the shoulder farthest from the tomb. They follow a strict cadence of 21 steps in one direction after which they face east for 21 seconds. Next, they face north for 21 seconds before marching 21 steps back to their original position. This cadence is symbolic of the highest military honors, the 21-gun salute. |
