Changing of the Guard at Arlington Cemetery

[robertbright777]

I left this video and came back to give it a thumbs down for the horrible quality

[schef99]

they should have no leaf blowers until the guards have left, nevermind the airplanes

[sylviekell]

@schef99 The guards never leave.

[flanny020]

@Someone7089 it's a M1 Garand. they have clips, not magazines

[pvtslat85]

@flanny020 No, it actually is an M-14 with no magazine.

[flanny020]

@pvtslat85 Yeah, I realized that as soon as i posted the comment, but it wouldn't let me delete it.

[acidburn2u]

I would have to say this video is awesome. God Bless America and the men and women who defend her. Honor guard rules.

[SlowwHand]

I served, and had friends give their lives, for the omglmao's of the the country to have the right to say stupid things.

You're welcome.

[TheJibs02]

The reason the marks can be seen on the ground is because they stand guard 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. Rain or shine. And they have since the 40's.

[alienhunter96]

see that big dark mark on the ground where they walk, ha lots of people walk there

[sk8rchicm]

i saw this it was awesome idk how they walk like that and i got to talk to one of the sergants it was really kool

[tribeisone]

You can see the marks on the ground where they walk, not being disrepectfull but is this cleaned or is this purposely left this way? I asume it's from the soliders shoe polish.

[gundam810]

Its not shoe polish. Its a mat laid out on the ground.

[tribeisone]

I see the mat, but what I was asking about was the marks on the pavement from the new solider relieving the guard

[irepva]

the marks comes from the metal on the bottom of the guards shoes being chipped off on the plaza and then rusting. it is powerwashed periodicly but it always comes back

[flyfish3wt]

i spent many a day on "THE WALK"

[SkivMarine]

@flyfish3wt Were you a tomb guard, sir?

[rudly]

it there a "descent video(with out movement)that shows ,Changing of the guard ,or is it still in you tube yet to be discovered?

[PreppyPolaGirl17]

you guys got that right!!!

I

I

V

[everlast12000]

next time u take a video of something like this ..shut ur mouth wile ur taking it..show respect..all u have to do is be quuiet n half of u cant even do tht

[oldstvital2]

hey video taker, what was the two simple things the Sgt requested you do??? remain standing and SILENT...next time you go show some respect

[DatsSomBravoSierra]

its all about snap and precision which makes it look good

[IMBLACK08PS3]

they use the old guns the shoots like one bullet at a time

[csninja]

its called a semi automatic fyi

[IC2720]

that would be an M1

[auburnbravesfan]

They use m14's. I just got back from a trip to D.C and went to Arlington.

[sub2meandiwill2]

Wht guns are they using?

[spck86]

m1a1 carbines

[300bruns1990]

thought they used the m14? maybe it is still the M1, they look similar so hard to tell from a vid, especially youtube quality

[bledreborn]

they use M14s

[DevilColts08]

hey slappy....learn this

the marines would kick the Coast's guards ass

[bakhaug]

lol this walk beat the russians in gayness:P

[shaunfleury]

aceman008 i think its a little bit of both but there main concentration is steps

[aceman008]

One thing is their focus mainly on watching the tomb or on how many steps/moves they take? Or both?

[tlh215]

Aceman: both. They take 21 steps, pause for 21 seconds, then do it again.

[mazzamouth]

There is now way the air force has the best Color guard....lol and you are saying this is more than a tourist thing... you obviously dont know your history

[sentinel488]

get your facts straight. the sentinels have been guarding the tomb since the 1937. no one has ever painted the tomb considering its been under constant 24 hour watch since they took over. as for best honor guard. thats just personal preference.

[slappy1234567]

:the Coast Guard is the all time best and always will be"

LOL

[sentinel488]

not a bad guard change. its still funny that i sit here and critique the sentinels but its ingrained in me now. my only complaint is that the relief commanders weapons inspection is a little sloppy for a badge holder. but good change all in all. sometimes i wish i was still out there walking the mat. those were good days.

[hawknest8]

very strict training to get them in sync trust me takes a while to get in sync with others like that they do this every hr every day no matter what rain sleet snow hurricanes..

[xJasonOhx]

a question for anyone reading... how the hell do they all walk at the same time? mbensen down there \/ talked about beats per minute, but how would you know when to start walking? it's like they have internal clocks or metronomes or something weird... any answers?

[Kriptap]

If you listen to them you can hear that they have taps on their shoes (which is why you can hear them "click" when they walk, and stand at attention). At the tomb, EVERYTHING is done in 21 second, and 21 pace intervals. Walk 21 paces, stand at attention, wait 21 seconds, turn, wait 21 seconds, then march 21 seconds to the other end.

When the relief comes you just count with him and begin when you are supposed to. EVERYTHING is practiced all day every day. Even on off days.

[Kriptap]

*march 21 paces i mean... LOL sorry

[bmmoyer]

well its really easy if you look closely they all start marching on thier left foot which is how they stay in step

[sentinel488]

sentinels drill over and over again. after the cemetery closes at night, thats when the reliefs come out and practice on the things that needed improving. the count is important but a sentinel must also be aware of visual clues to follow. there are moments when you have to do what we call blind pick ups. joining the other sentinels even though you can't see them. and the metal cheaters on the shoes are important too. you need those audio cues.

[onemileaway]

What does the soldier do at :22 seconds in this video? Seems like he stops to adjust his uniform and is not even at parade rest or at ease. All this in front of the visitors, too.

[sentinel488]

its basically a ceremonial at ease with out a weapon.he's just crossing his hands over one another.

[oldstvital2]

he is standing at ease, waiting for the timing to match that of the marching guard

[golfisgreat123]

they dont give a shit about the visitors your lucky to even be able to watch and visit this site this is not a game or for show if u try to touch the tomb u will be shot

[johnsob21]

Actually no you won't. They don't have rounds. However, they will do whatever they can to ensure you pay for touching the tomb.

[metalhead6788]

@johnsob21 there is a bayont to stab with

[slipknotmaggot777]

the bayonets are real and they sure as hell know how to use them

[SHORTREAPER117]

Okay I have one question and hopefully someone could answer. Why do they click their heels every so many feet? I mean no disrespect just trying to figure out why they do that. And good video.

[mbensen]

every kind of guard or kind of armory (french legionnaires, us troops) have their own "step per minutes". (like beats per minute).

the french ones have 88 steps per minute and us troops 120 i think.

like a "beat".

maybe its cause they have to walk 21 steps every direction. cause "21" gun salute is the highest honor in us military.

so they all have to hear the 21 steps.

[SHORTREAPER117]

Thanks that sounds like a pretty good explanation.

[SpartanMan80]

Are you allowed to follow them and talk to them and stuff?

[DDfear]

probably not, don't want to get in their way

[SgtSplatter782]

no you do not interfere with the Tomb Guard. Let them do their duty and stand watch over the fallen.

[stjamesryan]

you cant go a whole hour without 20 planes flying over washington dc

[SpartanMan80]

They should have NO airplanes flying around Arlington. It's aggravating.

[weapondrift]

but the dead cant hear

[SpartanMan80]

No, everyone else can.

[weapondrift]

respectable comeback :) Good job sir.

[SpartanMan80]

Haha, ty.

[weapondrift]

Your welcome :D

[trinitychiq]

SpartanMan: well, do you recommend moving Ronald Reagan International Airport? It is located immediately across the Potomac from Arlington. Its presence just comes with the territory up there.

From: a DC native

[trey515]

@SpartanMan80 I agree but It is so close to Reagan Int. Airport that it is impossible but I completely agree. In Normandy in France it is silent, not many planes fly over that region anyway.

[sylviekell]

@trey515 Reagan is not an international airport, it is a domestic airport. Dulles and Baltimore-Washington are international airports.

[robertzhu]

@SpartanMan80 I believe they lawnmowers.

[reneck09]

the video was great. you could've held the camera abit more still. and a better focus as well.

other than it was really cool. one of these days i want to go to the ceremony and see what it is actually like.

God Bless Our Troops!!!

[wantabigcock]

@reneck09

i was lucky enough to view this with members of the honor flight it was an awesome sight, then to hear the veterans reminiscing all day. i wouldn't trade that day for anything

[Mutrino]

Impressive.

[luvscats69]

great vid!!!!

[autumn1023]

I have never been to Arlington on my trips to Washington, I was very impressed by viewing the changing of the guard, God Bless Our Troops today tomorrow and of the past.

[captivemrhanky]

It's not fake. That is how they do it.

[xCOMPETITIONx]

WOULD U RATHER THEM BREAKDANCE FOR U?

[killerbe1]

lol, you tell him

1-111th infantry

[xCOMPETITIONx]

=)lol

[MPSMPS77]

if you've ever been there you know everything is for real its the way it's done with respect and honor

[rayandkerri]

Dear irish, Thanks for posting this. Even though I only live 3 hours away from DC, I have never gotten the chance to see this. It is very emotional. The only thing that sucked was the airplane traffic. But being that close to the airport, you couldn't help that. So thanks.

[starbase151]

my unit every year we do a renactment of it we traniuned with the old guard and 4 4 mouths of the year

[menny825]

there is an e-mail that gives many facts on the changing of the guards,(no swearing, or drinking etc) but like most e-mails it's not all true. You must do more research before you state these things as a fact.

[v3gh3d]

I saw the changing of the guard when i was in 7th grade, means a whole lot more now seeing it after having served, knew a guy who got chosen out of basic to go and be part of the old guard, i don't think he was tomb of the unknown though.

[irishguy9221]

Thank you for serving in our military. This whole country is indebted to you for keeping our families and us safe

[omglmao12345]

@irishguy9221 dont you mean the ones that make the government money and kill innocent people for oil?

[irishguy9221]

@omglmao12345 Funnily enough, I did not mean that at all. But we're all entitled to our opinions so continue to believe what you want.

[ballsmahoney14304]

THANK YOU!!!!

[djrock889]

thats my battle hooah!

[stinkles2]

dude i saw this happen 2 days ago and i was standing exactly where you were standing

[irishguy9221]

wow thats so weird

its really interesting how they do it though

[ballsmahoney14304]

me to

[ballsmahoney14304]

show some RESPECT!!!!!! ASSHOLE

[irishguy9221]

I'm sorry what did I do to offend you?

[vivalapresley]

i went there last year and man those guys are so intimidating! its very interesting too how they do that!

[Rampello06]

SAD

[erfica]

I have read the comments. I was a 71542 with the 101st. in Vietnam. I would only hope that I might be buried with the honor of Arlington. A comment re: little kid. The guard should give him a vertical butt stoke with his rifle and remove the brain.

[jgprap]

thank you for this video, my son is a sgt in the guard. He's been there for about a year.

Hard to see if one of them is him although it does sound like him!! He's always there rain or shine 24 on 24 off!! Took alot of training.

He just reassigned for another 4 years he also has sniper training.

[HemiSilva]

Sentinel488, if you were truly one of the guards then you need to give back your pin, but I doubt very seriously that you were, hell you probably never even served in the military. I don't think that one who truly guarded the tomb of the unknown soldier would ever have ANYTHING bad to say about it, past, present or future. You are a fake!

[TheronHoward]

the Tomb Guards are Soldiers, just like the rest of them. i wouldn't be making accusations. Yes, his inspection was a little sloppy, and im sure Sentinel488 (sentinel being What tomb guards call each other incidentally) would have noticed, and has a right to criticize him. Tomb guards are the Best of the Best, and any thing else is left with the Regular Infantry. Howard

[HemiSilva]

I too was a soldier, an Airborne Paratrooper to be exact and know what honor and esprit decor are, just like the great soldiers who guard the tomb and I can tell you that ANY soldier who has honor WOULD NOT air their dirty laundry in public, there is no honor in it. I stand by my statment to Sentinell488!

Airborne out.....

[dasteufelhund]

Espirit de Corps, the spirt of the corps.

[sentinel488]

yeah i would expect to hear something like that from someone who knows nothing of the tomb or the pride we sentinels carry in performing that duty. any sentinel will tell you that what we do out there has nothing to do with us and is all about honoring the unknowns. showing off and trying to do fancy shit on the mat during your walk has nothing to do with that. line 6 in the sentinel's creed: my standard will remain perfection. you should look into that you 5 jump chump.

[wasp8893]

well if you you were really a sentinel u know you not sopose to curse fpr the rest of you natural life XD

[sentinel488]

who told you that nonsense? sentinels are people and are also american citizens. that means we have a little something called freedom of speech. go ask a sentinek of duty if he can swear. he's a soldier for crying out loud and probably 19 or 20 yrs old. tell me how many guys like that you know who don't swear. bet that number is low. check your sources before you get your facts off of wikipedia.

[Haydenproductions]

Yes they are not supposed to swear in uniform in front of civilians, but that goes for every soldier. Now does that mean it does not happen no.

[wasp8893]

ok sure and ill contact the army to get your pin takin away of your uniform and i know nothing about the tomb ha ha ha ok sure u little lying son of a biatch see i can cuse but you yook a oath not 2 shows how honerable you are

[ltrich50]

Hey, go to school kiddo. My son's autistic and can spell better than you can. When you get old enough, enlist. Then you'll become your drill instructors "biatch". Until then, you are nothing more than a disrespectful child hiding behind your keyboard.

[wasp8893]

ok idk how im being disrespectful but sure and im in R.O.T.C. and being a sentinel means you take oaths one says you must not use profanity for the rest of you natural life so if any1 is being disrespectful its him

[ltrich50]

Nice to know that those in the ROTC will do nothing but go and search out every member of the Old Guard to make sure they don't curse. I commend you for summoning up enough sack to go play soldier for course credit but you are not showing that any of the training that you are getting in the ROTC...namely respect and personal honor...has gotten past the faux kevlar helmet and into your empty cabesa.

[NICKSLLVN]

Sounds like a bad officer in the making ;)

[Pathfinderguy]

There is no such oath. Sentinels may use profanity and they may drink, provided that they are of age. How do I know this? Because I work alongside Sentinels EVERY day of the week. I am in the 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) E-Company. Get your facts right before you go saying things that arent true, and that, however incidentally, cause rumors about these guardians of honor.

[rexanater]

Former grunt here (1st AD Crailsheim, Germany 2 yrs-5th INF DIV, Ft Polk, LA 2 yrs) I appreciate what you guys do, and the incredible amount of work that you put into making everything you do look easy. I'm a fireman now, and guys ask me at work how I get my boots so shiny. I tell them "go into the Army for 4 years and you'll figure it out". I never could figure out how to keep the polish from cracking where the leather bends though. Would love to see behind the scenes pics of the old guard.

[rayandkerri]

Sir, What an amazing thing to do..To honor our unidentified dead with such valor. No matter how it seems to others, what happens at Arlington is breathtaking. Thank you for serving our "unknowns" well. God Bless You.

[sentinel488]

The guards look good but they put way too much hollywood in their guard change. and there's some unwanted popcorn in their heel clicks. the relief commander's weapons inspection is lazy too. but all in all not bad. wish i was still doing it myself.

[dales2fast]

What where your orders if someone tried to cross the rail. what did you do if a little kid escaped from their parent?

[ingesiav]

Hey sentinel488. Congratulations! but you know that the change of the guard IS A CEREMONY, and every ceremony has a little bit of Hollywood in it. So don't be so hard

[ballsmahoney14304]

dumd fucker there is nogthing about hollywood in the changing of the gard at the tomb. I SHOULD BEAT YOUR FUCKING ASS!!!!!!

[sentinel488]

first off, your online threats mean jack to me. secondly if you don't know what i'm referring to moron than don't comment on it. i did this job for 2 years and trained future sentinels. what have you done? thats what i thought.

[johnakamikewright]

Let me edit the speaker...it was SSgt. Lenier the african american staff sergeant that usually leads the changing and has for over five years

[johnakamikewright]

quoting SSgt. Reilly: "A soldier will be standing guard at the tomb until all bodies are identified, and if it takes forever than it is so."

[skat8tertot]

ive been there

[Dutychief]

This is the first time I've ever seen a white NCO lead the changing of the guard.

[onemileaway]

Strange. It happens tens of thousands of times and is not unusual.