This soldier was so soft spoken. He is a real badass tho. Talk soft and carry a big club.

You seriously need integrity and patience to have a 24 hour shift. These guys are the probably among the most disciplined in the Army seeing as how precise and exact their movements must be during both the march and the changing of the guard.

I would be honored to do this just once in my life for 30 minutes.

Love the soldiers, hate the war.. Love the soldiers, hate the war.. They should make every member of congress have weekly mandatory visits to these sites to be reminded how their decisions truly impact people..

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary. 2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1 3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle. 4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and, if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder. 5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. 6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30. They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery .. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe Lewis {the boxer} Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.. ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

Many thanks to all who served.

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is amazing to watch in person. It is also amazing to watch on video. I NEVER realized that so much goes into all of the detail and the care of everything they do, how demanding it is or how few are actually chosen for this extremely honorable duty. Thank you for sharing this and giving us all a behind the scenes look at what is really involved in this honor.

Last week I was on a school Washington D.C. trip and one of our events was changing of the guard. So much respect! I would never be able to do that! Thank you to all soldiers who have guarded that tomb!

When a standard of perfection means something! Outstanding!!!

Thank you daddy for serving 20 years and your brave fight in Vietnam. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss you...

Much Respect....Very Hard Job.

I'm speechless. Say what you want about war but you'll be hard pressed to find respect for human life and the sacrifice for duty displayed in the highest regard anywhere else. Words cannot properly express my respect for all that tomb stands for and for the guards who keep watch. Thank you for everything

I'm a veteran....it was my dream to go to the tomb of the unknown...I finally got to Arlington in August...it was one of the most moving things I have ever experienced....

These soldiers are one of the most dedicated and disciplined guys I have ever seen, it's amazing the amount of respect for their uniform, 12 hours to get the uniform ready takes a lot of patience.

Such a beautiful service! I get chills and teary eyed every time I watch the changing of the guards!

God bless all who go through that! It is a lifestyle and a real tough one.

i know personally i cant do what they do. these guys truly are amazing. good job guys

I laid the wreath at one of these ceremonies in '03

All I can say is wow ... god bless you

These guys are awesome. visiting the tomb was amazing.

Amazing, God bless

dedication to country.. I am amazed by this,, I never knew.. much respect.

This has to be the highest honor🇺🇸

very intresting thanks for posting. i never knew they did it 24/7 and at night 24 hours is a long shift!

I admire your honour,,, it brings a tear to my eyes the respect,,,, It must be a wonderful thing to serve the unknown SOLDIER, RESPECT TO ALL WHO DO THIS, and most respect to the UNKNOWN ,I HOPE GOD SEES YOU DAILY, 👍😥🇨🇮 IRELAND

some of yall really missed the point of this...the reason its so important is bc its to honor those who were never found, identified, etc...imagine giving your life for our freedoms and in an instant no1 knowing where or how you left us, families not knowing where your body is to lay u to rest and visit your grave, or for those who went to wat before we had way of notating everyone who served. like the soldier said, these men and women gave up their identities not just their lives for us...no1 is asking you to give your time to them, but the soldiers who do consider it an honor and calling it a waste of time is disrespectful to them...maybe do more with ur life than talk crap about our servicemen behind a computer, then you can have room to talk

Absolute BAD ASSES!!!!! Thank you for your duty!

Excellent view behind the scenes that helps show the level of effort and sincerity which these honor guards operate under.

Thank you for your service and God bless you and the men and women of the United States military,. I will never take a knee,

All that preparation must get tedious after awhile, but I appreciate these men so much for their dedication to a very solemn duty. What a superb group of soldiers!

So much respect. Very respectable and humble.

This is an Honor I can only dream of:)

The greatest honor you can have to stand post at those who have gave their lives for this great nation. I salute the guards of the unknown soldier as they sacrifice all to acknowledge the men who gave it all for this country. Like these soldiers you men are NEVER forgotten. I teach my children to honor you as much if not more then our veterans. I have the utmost respect for each and every of you men that stand guard here. Thank you and god bless your families and may America be free forever 💪🇺🇸

You either get it or you don't. Arlington changed my life forever and I'm pretty darn proud of those men who dedicate their lives protecting the Tomb. Say what you want about it, they've earned it for you.

My grandfather was a guard for the tomb of the unknown soldier back in the 1950's.

i am from the Phillipines i salute America a billion times

New found respect for all you men that watch over the tomb.I had no idea that much went into it. I am sure that the ones you protect are looking down on you with pride.

These guys are like a military monastery. Nobody on the outside is ever going to notice that there uniforms are off by more than 1/64ths of an inch but they seek hidden perfection to honor the deceased. Someone has to do it. Many Americans are totally ungrateful for what was lost on their behalf.

Thank you all for your service.

You're right all my friends tell me its very fascinating and the changing of the guards is a great thing to witness.

Professional soldiering,gosh i luv it.

Wow, impressive. Thank you.

Nothing but respect for these guys.

An awesome team preforming a needed task

Thank you thank you thank you to all who served and are serving thank you to those who gave everything so my children are safe.

TY for your service. TY for Isabel!!!!!

Rest in peace my unknown heroes.

that is amazing.

Nothing but Respect !

God Bless Our Military, keep them safe.

OUTSTANDING

My Continued Thanks Goes Out To Each & Every One Of Of Service Men & Women. May You Be Contuniualy Blessed. I Salute You All.

these guys are the best of the best for the ceremonial side of the coin hands down , for the combat side thats debatable

This is great

Good stuff, Great ppl.

Much respect :)

I remember going to this when I was a kid and had no idea the significance of this until I got older. This is what it's like to be an American. Honoring those who have served and granted us with this freedom that we still possess today and they never got a chance to have their identities released for the work that they did. If this isn't the most respectful thing you have ever seen, then please leave.

Yep, the Unknown Soldiers deserve that kind of respect from the guards.

Hey, my name is C/SSgt Hilsen of the MN-941 AFJROTC and I am a Color Guard Co-Commander. My job is NOTHING compared to these great soldiers job. I would do ANYTHING to do this. And to all you people who think this is just a waste: What would you do without US protecting you?

they only barely scratched the surface of how demanding this post really is...

Pride can take a LOT of work.

Respect.

yea nothing but respect

Proud to be an American! Love our soldiers.

I have been in there!!! My uncle was a warrant officer in the US military and had special access to places like these. I've also been in the whight house west wing where most people aren't allowed to go into

God Bless America.

i was going to comment but then i read yours and now i dont feel the need to. Im an infantryman currently serving in korea and i would take that job in a hearbeat

I would LOVE to take a tour

Discipline at it's best here

Impressive

the military refers to the "hat" as cover and when you are in arms (carrying a weapon) you are allowed to wear your cover inside indicating to everyone that you are carrying.

the rifles that the sentinels carry when walking the 21 paces are fully functional and ready for use at all times and the rifle inspection during the changing of the guard is a real inspection on the weapons condition.

@wrestleboy557 On duty yes, but not while on guard at the tomb. They are on guard anywhere from a half hour up to 2 hours depending on the time of day.

Hell yess👍

I may not be a soldier But I'm a Star Rank Boy Scout. Our rules of uniform may not be as strict but there are guide lines to follow. Boy Scouts may not be Military but I treat it as military. When I'm in my Class-A uniform, I'm representing my Boy Scout troop. What I'm trying to say is, these men are representing the USA Military to protect a monument made to represent all fallen soldiers that wasn't Identified. Those men served their country to protect us but when they died. there name wasn't known to show who they were. To me, these Guards are the last and only chance that we have to show thanks AND respect to these unknown soldiers. Like I said, I may not be a us soldier but I always give respect to those who are. If there is anything in this post that disrespects the Tomb or the men who guard it, let me know and I will remove this post. This post is meant as a salute to the tomb, the guards and any active duty soldier.

Actually the whole concept of the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier is that there is an actual Unknown Solider inside that is symbolic of all other Unknown Soldiers, to serve as a constant reminder. I think they exhumed one of the graves there though.

ok thank you

@xiongsnx i agree, and to have the commercials on a video like this?

It is also scene as a memorial to all American soldiers lost in war.

Sgt is one of the ranking officers. The rank of sgt isnt an officer rank it's an enlisted rank. Hes one if the ranking non commissioned officers

@Christopher Reese I wouldn't suggest that to the guys that guard the tomb. I believe any service member will tell you that the unknowns that fall in battle deserves this level of respect.

To the people who are saying this is a waste of tax money, I can name way more stuff that wastes tax money than this. Go complain to those trash that don't even want jobs that get thousands of dollars of welfare cause the woman can't keep her legs closed.

Obviously most of you have never served your country and are competely ignorant. You don't understand words like HONOR or COMMITMENT. If you're against the wars and don't like our Commander In Chief or politics or whatever, that doesn't mean you disrespect all the Soldiers, Marines, Sailor and Airmen that have died protecting this great land or the ones that are still standing that watch. Have some respect! HOOYAH!

Dang this is just as, if not more difficult than becoming an Army Ranger or any of the special forces.

3:55 he says "at night fall..." they change into their camoflauge uniforms. Is "night fall" a specific time throughout the year, or does it vary according to the sun light available?

A Sgt is not just an NCO but a SNCO.

So at night they wear ACUs? did not know that!

If you've never been there, you really need to go. If you've been there and you still feel this way, then you're just a dullard.

who came up with the exact procedures and regulations? where does it all come from?

my dad guarded the tomb 462

How many hours duty they do.. 1st shift 2th shift...

Wow they're humans

Just because we haven't been attacked on our own soil since 2001 doesn't mean the guards shouldn't be prepared to defend the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in case it comes under attack.

500 days guarding earns them a badge.

@RyannRebel The Marines have been around since 1775 is that correct? They've been around for a while. It's not like they're brand new.

actually since it is a military installation if someone is trespassing and the sentinel feels that lives are in serious danger then he is aloud to open fire if it is absolutely needed

I really wonder if someone has ever messed up somehow during the ceremony...

I'm a rich cadet and would be honored to do it

to the men Guarding the Tomb i think you

how can you guard somthing if your rifle is empty