Old Guard at Tomb of Unknowns

[Quoheleth]

Someone sent me photos of the Old Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers walking their post as Hurricane Irene soaked the men. First off, a huge word of thanks to these men for the duty they perform. They are incredible examples of living out "Duty, Honor and Country."

The photo showed the Guard with, I believe, and M-14 and bayonett. It got me wondering, when walking a post such as this, are their weapons hot? If some idiot decided to deface the Tomb, are they to break from their carefully timed and counted path and stop the individual? Most "guards" are trained with a weapon of some sort to stop a threat. Are they?

Thanks,
Q

 

[Nugilum]

The M14 is the U.S. military parade rifle. It is viewed as an EXTREME honor to be a guard to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Is the M14 functional and loaded? Don't know. I would venture a guess as "probably not".

 

[pikid89]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsdHxUXf2CE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-dBwdeJSGo&feature=related

there are several videos of this same guard yelling at people for similar breaches in conduct, and I've seen at least one video where a guard yells at a guy that was coming up the back of the plaza...he immediately turned around a boogied on out of there pronto

 

[EddieNFL]

God bless them and their mission.

 

[Sav .250]

I`ve seen them many times when I lived just out side DC. Their job is 24-7.
No matter what.

 

[G27RR]

Q, can you post the photos?

 

[Lex Luthier]

Those men are considered elite. They cannot have a waistline greater than 32" and take a lifetime oath of sobriety. Talk about focus and stamina.

 

[USAF_Vet]

They also have to make a certain height/ weight requirement, appearance standards, etc. Those men are hard core.

 

[Nicolai]

Check out this website: http://tombguard.org/

There is a FAQ section that may be useful to you.

 

[19-3Ben]

G-d bless them. That's really something very special.

 

[Quoheleth]

If you are a facebook user, you can find them there.

Here's a link to ABC showing the same photo I saw on FB: http://abcnews.go.com/US/hurricanes/vigilant-tomb-unknowns-irene/story?id=14397525

According to the story, above, so far the Guards have kept post at the Tomb, but provisions are in place should the weather ever get bad enough that the Guards' lives are not in danger to do their duty and remain on post.

Q

 

[InkEd]

Post the photo.

 

[Shovelhead]

The news reported that during hurricane Isabel, they were instructed to go inside out of the storm.
They declined and remained at their post.

 

[G27RR]

The M14 is the U.S. military parade rifle. It is viewed as an EXTREME honor to be a guard to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Is the M14 functional and loaded? Don't know. I would venture a guess as "probably not".

Yes, the rifle is fully functional and "ready for use."

http://tombguard.org/weapons.html

 

[G27RR]

The news reported that during hurricane Isabel, they were instructed to go inside out of the storm.
They declined and remained at their post.

The FAQ posted above says that was incorrect.

It was erroneously reported that during Hurricane Isabel, the Sentinels were ordered to abandon their posts for shelter and that they refused. No such order was ever given. All proper precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the Sentinels while accomplishing their mission. Risk assessments are constantly conducted by the Chain of Command during changing conditions to ensure that soldier welfare is maintained during mission accomplishment.

...

The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, there has been a Sentinel on duty in front of the Tomb every minute of every day since 1937. And the Sentinel does not change the way he guards the Tomb, even at night when there is no one around. The Sentinels do this because they feel that the Unknown Soldiers who are buried in the Tomb deserve the very best they have to give.

 

[G27RR]

 

[vaherder]

Lifetime Sobriety

Really. Dont think so. My girlfriend all 5ft of her was assigned to OlD Guard as an E7. The stories she tells about having to get these guys out of trouble are hysterical. She was also i charge of range quals. She out qual everyone in the unit. When I was stationed at the Pentagon and back in the days when we used to hit Georgetown members of the Old Guard were known to party pretty hard and start trouble.

Army needs to allow woman the honor of guarding the Tomb. Sorry the days of just allowing males to do it has long passed.

 

[G27RR]

Army needs to allow woman the honor of guarding the Tomb. Sorry the days of just allowing males to do it has long passed.

How many Sentinels have been female?

There have been 3 female Sentinels.

Sounds like they do allow it. There are some pictures on the website linked above, and a story is here...
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/heather-johnsen.htm

Also see here...
http://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcommands/commandstructure/theoldguard/specplt/tomb.htm

 

[VT Deer Hunter]

It is amazing what they do, they have to stand there in any weather.

 

[Murphy4570]

Yes, the rifle is fully functional and "ready for use."

http://tombguard.org/weapons.html

True, but you never see magazines. I doubt there is any ready access to ammunition either. Not that they need it.

 

[pikid89]

True, but you never see magazines. I doubt there is any ready access to ammunition either.

Don't be so sure...look at the Swiss Guard at the Vatican...they stand there with spears, but they do have access to weapons in conveniently concealed boxes

 

[Robert]

My brother was in The Old Guard for 4 years, in I believe B Company. He has a combat tab from his deployment to Africa with the Old Guard. The first time they deployed since Vietnam. He was good friends with some Tomb Guards and knows if they carried loaded weapons or not. He is a member here and I have given him a heads up about the thread. I am sure he will be along to answer a few questions.

they have to stand there in any weather.

Yes and no. There have been times they have been told to stand down due to weather and they continue to do the walk.

 

[james2133]

So Im gus's brother, as he said I was in TOG from 00-04 and my friend was a member of the relief that stood through Isabel. They were told that they could stand in the amphitheater doors that face the Tomb but they choose to stay on the plaza. While they are standing guard the M-14 is not loaded (during the inspection of the guard, before the changing, the weapon is cleared). The Sgt. of the guard carries a M-9 that can be loaded at times. Any other questions feel free to ask.

 

[daorhgih]

Is there any comparison?

"She" has on sun-glasses; why could the not wear rain-gear, winter-gear, etc. I didn't read the magazine article, but "she" may just be a troll for the magazine. I believe I saw a History Channel documentary on the Tomb, and recall that there are two (at least) reasons the Sentinels do a "Shoulder Arms" at the end of each pass: to maintain the weapon AWAY from the remains, out of respect, and that they would prevent by prejudicial means anyone from trespassing on Dedicated, Hallowed Ground. Amen. DAO

 

[james2133]

When its cold the uniform changes to overcoat with scarf and sometimes boots(very rare) and when it rains uniform is rain coat. Any one in the Third Infantry regiment (TOG) can volunteer for the tomb including the MP company attached to the Old Guard. The MP company has females so there has been female sentinels.