Rifle at Tomb of Unknown Soldier

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Steve Smith

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I was doing some sightseeing today and went to Arlington Cemetary to pay my respects. While there I visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I just missed the changing of the guard, and eventually had to get moving becuase I needed to meet my customer later, so I missed the next one.

The Old Guard guard was carrying an M14...without a mag, from what I could see. Now, I understand why he doesn't have a mag in (carry that rifle with the mag digging in your shoulder!) but at the same time, not much of a "guard" without ammo. I wonder if it had a flush-mounted mag for his purposes of it it was really empty. Dang, I should have waited around for the guard change so I could check it out. :banghead:

I wonder why they don't use a Garand instead? Woud be easier to carry loaded.
 
Swung by 2 years ago to pay my respects and waited for the changing of the guard. It's impressive and very solemn. The warrant officer explains that they keep a guard 24/7 and each guard does 2 hours before being relieved. Found out that during the heat of summer one soldier collapsed and was left there until relieved. :eek: I would suggest 1 hour tours to prevent frostbite and heat stroke. Yes, I'm a whimp.

Think of it guys (and gals). We're safe and sound and night and deep into our sleep and some soldier is pacing 21 steps back & forth guarding those tombs. We're out there at the cinema, fishing, hunting, or at a sporting event and these guys are out there all the time. Kudos to these young men (and if there's any women in the Old Guard, them too).
 
Been there twice once in 1988 once in 1993. I don't remember if they were carrying a mag, but I pretty sure I remember hearing they didn't have any ammo.

I was told Arlington can be a little creepy at night, and it seems some soldier took a shot at a noise he heard in the dark. After that no more ammo.

I'm sure there is someone more knowledgable that has the true answer.

six
 
I suspect that they are concerned for the safety of onlookers . They definately had no mags in guns . Could you imagine one of the soldiers passing out from the heat with a live weapon ?
A standard 20 rd issue mag would also probably make it hard to perform their close order drill .
I was there with my son's 6th grade class . They were permitted to place a wreath . It will remain one of the most memorable events in my life along with the Vietnam Wall . They both will "choke you up " . Wow . I thought I was tough .
 
I've kinda got the opposite opinion on this then Steve Smith.

I understand why the gun isn't loaded, but I'd think it would look better if they just gave the guy an empty magazine.
 
Certainly not an M16-A2. Not PC. How about a Garand? They used to use them locally during parades by the American Legion. They were painted white.
 
I recall reading that the guard at the Tomb isn't the one who actually defends it. There are armed guards who can be called on if need be. After 9/11, the Tomb is definetely defended even better than before. They're just not seen.
 
We visited two years ago.
If you can watch the changing of the guard, or visit "The Wall", without getting a lump in your throat, I don't think you know what being an American is all about.

Same goes for the Korean War memorial.
I had never heard of it before.
The way the soldiers are looking over their shoulders, as if they have just heard a noise, made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
 
IIRC, there is an elevator near the Tomb that the guards use when going on/off duty; I'd assume there's a few soldiers at the other end of the elevator shaft that can respond in case something happens. I'll have to ask my great-uncle the next time I see him, he served at the Tomb after recovering from being wounded in WWII and visits with the guards when he is in the area.

4v50Gary: From Bad_Dad_Brad's first link:
The guard is relieved after one hour (one-half hour in summer) in a silent, solemn ritual conducted by an officer.
Click to expand...

Kharn
 
Didn't they empty the remains from the tomb not too long ago? I thought they did so that they could be identified. Either way, the reason they don't have ammo is because it's ceremonial.
 
It's not a "gotta guard this tomb so no one escapes" guard.
Click to expand...

If my memory of Biblical history serves me correctly, the last ol boys assigned that task didn't do very well. :D

Good Shooting
RED
 
"Didn't they empty the remains from the tomb not too long ago? I thought they did so that they could be identified."

NO.

Only the remains of the Vietnam War Unknown were removed so that they could be tested.

As the family suspected, they were the remains of Lt. Michael Blasie.

None of the other remains were removed, or tested.

Given the advances of science, it's likely that there won't be another American unknown.

Vietnam Unknown Identified
 
Mike: Wasnt another Unknown from the Vietnam War placed into the Tomb when Lt. Blaise was removed?

Kharn
 
Kharn,

No. The crypt for the Vietnam Unknown is vacant. The Department of Defense made that decision after Blassie was identified, unless it is proven that they can never be identified, but the Central Identification Laboratory says that's very unlikely.

It's conceivable, but unlikely, that the other unknowns could be identified using DNA testing, especially mitochondrial DNA, which is passed through the maternal line essentially unchanged.

American military personnel now give a DNA sample, meaning that there's now the means to identify any potential unknowns.

The Arlington National Cemetery Website has a lot of very interesting information on all of this.

Arlington National Cemetery Vietnam Unknown
 
Mike is right, the Vietnam tomb is vacant.

Mike, I understand what you're saying, but in my world, anything that is worth an Honor Guard is worth ammo too.
 
I was there in the summer of 1991. I saw the Tomb, the Vietnam wall, as well as the Desert Storm parade which was a military parade throught Washington DC. Probably one of the most memoriable trips I have ever been on. They had all the weapons used in Desert Storm in the mall - the grassy area in DC. You could walk around and look at the tanks, helios, missles, etc. It was a fantastic day to see the military parade then the fireworks show at night.
 
I don't know about you guys, but I can think of a lot better things to die for than just that tomb. Not to dishonor the sacrifices so many soldiers made that ensured my right to type what I type, do what I want, and own the firearms I have today, but what would be the point of dying trying to stop some terrorists from blowing up a lifeless tomb? They want to blow it up and they are completely dedicated to it, let em. I would rather see that tomb go up anyday than a stadium full of football fans or the Sears Tower.

And whose to say those color guard guys don't have a 20 round mag stashed somewhere on their body? ;)
 
here in Taiwan, chrome plated garands ;)

They do 1 hour and are relieved the next hour; but the previous one stays around to wipe the sweat or fan the next soldier or straighten the uniforms etc. I think a Garand is a better choice for this..
 
Do the guards at Buckingham Palace have ammo? They used to have bayonets, but that seems hardly enough with IRA and other terrorists around.

That guy who walked in and sat on the Queen's bed a few years ago must have made her realize that she's vulnerable.

One would think that there'd be SAS men or armed police inside the Palace, and there probably are...now!

Lone Star
 
El Rojo, take a look at a picture of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi, and then come tell me that symbols aren't important.

Arlington is a symbol. Were I in the armed services and learned of a terrorist effort there and no resistance to it, I wouldn't bother to re-up. Those who won't honor the important symbols in life have no honor, and I won't associate with the sorry trash.

Which is part of why nobody around me will burn a flag and not then need a doctor's care.

Don't get me started, about honor and dignity and respect...

Art
 
I'm with Art. If a soldier knows that his tomb won't be a sacred place to his nation, then he won't be interested in doing his job. At least I wouldn't. Those guards are there for the living soldiers more than that of the dead.
 
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