Changing of the Guard

Picture of the changing of the guards.

Here is some of the things that the guards have to do when they are on duty:
When they are walking back and forth they have to take 21 steps each way and when they stop to turn around again they have to wait 21 seconds. Why do you think that is? Because it follows the 21 gun salute. The 21 gun salute is the highest honor given to any military person. Most people that visit the tomb and watch the guards they wonder why there gloves are wet. The reason why they are wet is because the moist gloves help prevent losing your grip on the rifle. If you haven't noticed the guards do not hold there rifle on the same shoulder the hole time. The guard changes the rifle from one shoulder to the other every time he turns around to start walking the other way. The gun is always facing to the solders outside shoulder. the solders shoes are specially made with thick soles to keep the heat and the cold from there feet. The shoes also have have metal plates that go to the top of the shoe, that is what makes the shoes able to make the loud click.

The guards have a really strict rules that they have to follow also when they are on and off duty also:
One of the rules is that they have to commit two years of life to guard the tomb. The solders must also live in the barracks under the tomb. They cannot drink alcohol on or off duty for the rest of there lives (so never again). They cannot swear in public for the rest of there life's. The guards disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. The guard spends the first six months studying the 175 people that laid to rest in peace in Arlington National Cemetery. The guards must also memorize who they are and where the people are buried .

Here is a interesting story about the guards and what they have done for the tomb:
In 2003 as hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington DC. The US Senate house took two days off with anticipation of the storm. The ABC evening news reported that because of the Hurricane the solders that guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Solder got permission to suspend the assignment. The guards respectfully said "No way, Sir!" The guards where soaked from head to toe still marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm. The solders said that guarding the Tomb is not just a assignment it is the highest honor that a service person could have. Because the solders said no they will not stop guarding the tomb it has been guarded continuously since 1930.