@DipDop99 don't be pissed because america protects its guards when (I'm guessing your British) an unfortunate Royal Guardsman is messed with and humiliated on the internet. People are idiots, and that's why surrounding the tomb are police forces ready to move anyone who is being an asshole, most of them American like the ones who makes fools out of themselves in Britain and give others a bad name
I'm not trying to be disrespectful or anything, and I am really curious, but it seems he faces the tomb for a lot longer than 21 seconds. When does the count begin?
@nyc14gauge yeah I was thinking the same thing. I watched this 2 times and I counted and it was like 31 seconds, and I have been researching this for a big history project and I have seen every where that it was 21 seconds. I started counting the last time he hit one foot with the other, because I thought "Well that's probably when the count starts" but I guess not. And I'm not trying to be disrespectful either.
@nyc14gauge Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, but I think the pausing for 21 seconds is the one at the end because I was thinking the same thing, then im like "wait maybe its this one" and it is the one at the end right before he starts walking again.
What exactly is the point of guarding the tomb? Do they think someone is going to steal the monument or break it open and take the skeltons or ashes or whatever is there? Seems like a waste of time to me. Don't get me wrong, I have alot of respect for anyone that serves our country, but this just seems silly.
@partyatmccartys Aside from vandalism, it's more a symbolic act. The premise is they are guarding the tombs of fallen soldiers who died for our country. But despite their deaths, their identities are unknown, making them difficult to honor and possibly putting their sacrifice in vain. So to show them the utmost respect, the Old Guard watches over the tomb with great discipline. I think it's quite a majestic thing to think of a sentinel patrolling the tomb even in the dead of night.
saw the tomb of the unknown soldier yesterday =) loved it and love how it represents all the people who fought in both the 1st and 2nd world wars who could never be identified
Im in the Old Guard and thats only a rumor about not drinking and smoking or swearing. At work they cant but when they are done with there shift the time is all theirs to do what they want. Its a legit question "what if they have to shit?" they just shit themselves. Ive had to piss myself in ceremonies, just the way of the job
You're about 80% ignorant. A guy has a beer after work and he's an alcoholic? The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment handles this detail and they are meticulous in their preparation. BTW- Why were you following this guy to his car? Hoping to get some action? This ceremony is to honor the dead whose sacrifice preserved your freedom.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
years ago we went on a field trip to see this. with my own eyes I saw the guard drinking a can of budweiser in his car as soon as he was off duty. about 80% of service men are alcoholic. how bout that!
@galihauli um.... no they can't watch tv or talk to anyone for the FIRST 6 months. They can't drink alcohol for the rest of their lives. They must memorize 175 certain significant people, where they're buried and why. They must never fight, curse, or drink in public or else they will be stripped of a pin they received for being a guard
They can watch TV but they can't drink or SWEAR for the rest of their lives otherwise they get stripped of the pin that they give you when you become a guard.
The guard does wait a total of 21 seconds. However, for a Ceremonial Event and being apart of the Old Guard, their counting is slower than a regular count of seconds. For every two seconds for us, it's 1 second for them. Try it, and you'l l see that he does move at 21 seconds in their counting.
watch the video we have something speical about the number 21 when he walks its 21 steps when he waits at each end its 21 seconds i forgot what it was for any1 care to remind me
It's very good too see how the Americans proud of their grandparents. Just like in Russia, you honor and glory the soldiers, who bring victory and freedom in World War 2. I am very proud of you, my American friends.
I don't mean to sound mean...I am a veteran of the U.S. Army for 20 years... this place of honor represents the dead bodies of individuals who gave up their relative comfort of their time to be placed between the bullets of an enemy and the freedom of home. It is an American tribute to honor everyone who died in their youth so that others would not have to do so. It is more important, for me, than the Capitol Bldg, the White House and the Washington Monument.
This Tomb contains the remains of servicemen who not only died for their country, but no one knows who they are. This is the main reason of many that it is guarded by elite soldiers 24 hours a day.
what is so important about that tomb? it honors those who not only gave thier lives for us, but thier identities as well. it is a place of honor for those U.S. soldiers whoes bodies were very unfortunately so damaged they were unidentifiable. JFK's grave is in the same cemetery, but visiting this tomb was so much more important to me. to have the honor of being there during the changing of the guard ceremony is breathtaking.
its where a soldier from i think the civil war is burried. know one knows who he is. there used to be a soldier from vietnam in there too but recently used DNA to figure out who he was.
This tomb represents soldier's who have died in duty but are to badly injured to be recognized, and until all 140 of the body represented here are identified this will never stop guarding they will always guard this tomb.
the "stationary bird" is actually a leaf blowing across the ground. Sorry for the let down everyone! But the timing is quite interesting...I never noticed it before!
The bird appears from stage left at 1:04, when the guard is standing still facing the right with his back to the bird. The bird hovers still for the next 29 seconds, untill 1:33. Amazingly, 29 seconds is the just about the exact amount of time the guard stood still. As the guard steps forward with his left foot at around 1:33, the bird takes off in the same direction as the guard. Amazing!
The 3rd Infantry Regiment is the oldest infantry regiment in the Army. Today, it does the ceremonial work in Washington, DC; i.e., performing burials at Arlington, marching in Presidential inaugurations, etc. Giving the job of Honor Guard to them makes sense.
The 3rd Infantry have done it since 1948. Before that, other units did it, most notably the 3rd Cavalry.
It would be a tremendous honor to be a guard at the Tomb.....I would give anything to be selected as a guard.... Happy Memorial Day all, remember the reason why we have this day, go thank a vet somewhere today!!
My bad choice of words, He was actually one of 8 chosen from some 300 or so. Won't find out until he graduates from A. I. T. In March. His higher ups recommended him for his outstanding work so far. That's what I meant. My Bad.
Good luck. My brother graduated from Ft. Benning on Sept.26, and is currently in D.C. in the same company. His roommate is a tomb guard, but my brother exceeds the max height by 2 or 3 inches. Last night, though, he filled in for someone.
ive seen this a couple times in person..the last time i went there were people in the audience(and yes they happen to be forigners) would laugh everytime he clicked his heels..took everything i had to not turn around and chew them out..i always wanted to go into the service and one day do this but im not tall enough for their requirements.
How disrespectful that people would laugh. Most people are incapable of understanding the sacrifice made by servicemen/women and how important these shrines are. In Hyde Park in London recently there were nudist bike riders climbing on the Australian memorial. These people don't deserve the protection given to them by the armed forces of their respective countries.
I had 2 friends while in the Army, both of whom served in the Old Guard, one of whom was a tomb guard. What a great honor it must be to do this duty. The are the sharpest soldiers the Army has, and they make me proud to have worn the blue infantry braid on my shoulder.
Maybe your just too stupid to realize that any soldier that has the discipline to stand in the freezing cold and blistering heat and still do what these guys do goes way beyond what you could ever do. You do not have the discipline nor the brains. As a soldier and NCO in the US Army with two wars under my belt I take what you said as an insult to our military and our country.
You seem to have forgotten that he has a 14-18 lb. M-14 with a chrome bayonet fixed to the end. Oh, and he's been trained to kill people for a living. Good luck.
You completely idiotic emo drag queen. He'd wipe the floor with you while still taking the time to do 21 steps, 21 seconds of standing still, and 21 more steps.
DipDop99 fuck you.
PontiacGT201 9 months ago
@PontiacGT201 you have to admit, he does have a point tho
pg955203 8 months ago
Thank you to all the soldiers who died so that we may be free. Thank you to all who are living and are serving in the armed forces.
Houdini774 9 months ago
I really feel like flying to D.C and standing next to these guards trying to make THEM laugh, and then post videos on Youtube on how I failed.
On the other hand, I would probably get arrested if not stabbed.
It's ironic that Americans and other tourists respect their own history and uphold it with 24/7 guards.
But when they come here, they act like monkies before feeding time.
Fuck the Americans and their shit history.
DipDop99 10 months ago
@DipDop99 don't be pissed because america protects its guards when (I'm guessing your British) an unfortunate Royal Guardsman is messed with and humiliated on the internet. People are idiots, and that's why surrounding the tomb are police forces ready to move anyone who is being an asshole, most of them American like the ones who makes fools out of themselves in Britain and give others a bad name
ailddwp 6 months ago
i thought he was gonna do some spinning, this was dissapointing!
raxarpsycho10 1 year ago
I'm not trying to be disrespectful or anything, and I am really curious, but it seems he faces the tomb for a lot longer than 21 seconds. When does the count begin?
nyc14gauge 1 year ago
@nyc14gauge yeah I was thinking the same thing. I watched this 2 times and I counted and it was like 31 seconds, and I have been researching this for a big history project and I have seen every where that it was 21 seconds. I started counting the last time he hit one foot with the other, because I thought "Well that's probably when the count starts" but I guess not. And I'm not trying to be disrespectful either.
MsMsmonkeylover 11 months ago
@nyc14gauge Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, but I think the pausing for 21 seconds is the one at the end because I was thinking the same thing, then im like "wait maybe its this one" and it is the one at the end right before he starts walking again.
MsMsmonkeylover 11 months ago
What exactly is the point of guarding the tomb? Do they think someone is going to steal the monument or break it open and take the skeltons or ashes or whatever is there? Seems like a waste of time to me. Don't get me wrong, I have alot of respect for anyone that serves our country, but this just seems silly.
partyatmccartys 1 year ago
@partyatmccartys
It's a sign of respect and honor, we guard our own, even in death. Don't need to understand it.
Weps21 1 year ago
@partyatmccartys Aside from vandalism, it's more a symbolic act. The premise is they are guarding the tombs of fallen soldiers who died for our country. But despite their deaths, their identities are unknown, making them difficult to honor and possibly putting their sacrifice in vain. So to show them the utmost respect, the Old Guard watches over the tomb with great discipline. I think it's quite a majestic thing to think of a sentinel patrolling the tomb even in the dead of night.
Fenyx6 1 year ago
wtf i didn't see anything
SCOTT95000 1 year ago
saw the tomb of the unknown soldier yesterday =) loved it and love how it represents all the people who fought in both the 1st and 2nd world wars who could never be identified
snowmanpika10 1 year ago
Im in the Old Guard and thats only a rumor about not drinking and smoking or swearing. At work they cant but when they are done with there shift the time is all theirs to do what they want. Its a legit question "what if they have to shit?" they just shit themselves. Ive had to piss myself in ceremonies, just the way of the job
pfc84griffin 1 year ago 2
when do they have a time to clean their rifle?
kuronoha 1 year ago
chilliman there are no words from your disrecpect-lost a brother in viet nam, wish it would of been you!!
maewestgg 2 years ago
what happens if the guard suddenly needs to take a shit?
Quy4life 2 years ago
how disrespectful you asshole son-of-a-bitch
chilliiman 2 years ago
dude it a legitimate question!!
Quy4life 2 years ago
You're about 80% ignorant. A guy has a beer after work and he's an alcoholic? The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment handles this detail and they are meticulous in their preparation. BTW- Why were you following this guy to his car? Hoping to get some action? This ceremony is to honor the dead whose sacrifice preserved your freedom.
grendeljack 2 years ago
how long is each soldier's shift?
jkeylor 2 years ago
depends, in the summer their shift runs a half an hour to let more ppl expierience the changed. in the winter its every 1 hr
JDUDE1102 2 years ago
half hour
hotsauceb91 2 years ago
usally 27 hour shifts all together though
hotsauceb91 2 years ago
did u know that the gueards are not allowed to watch tv ever and can not drink liqor for the rest of their lives
galihauli 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
years ago we went on a field trip to see this. with my own eyes I saw the guard drinking a can of budweiser in his car as soon as he was off duty. about 80% of service men are alcoholic. how bout that!
wealthynhealthy 2 years ago
Shutup.
RBFF123 2 years ago
@galihauli um.... no they can't watch tv or talk to anyone for the FIRST 6 months. They can't drink alcohol for the rest of their lives. They must memorize 175 certain significant people, where they're buried and why. They must never fight, curse, or drink in public or else they will be stripped of a pin they received for being a guard
mrdistraction 2 years ago
Incorrect.
tombuttner 2 years ago
They can watch TV but they can't drink or SWEAR for the rest of their lives otherwise they get stripped of the pin that they give you when you become a guard.
RBFF123 2 years ago
BEAST on that left shoulder to port to right shoulder arms
pokersnickerdoodle 2 years ago 4
this video gives me a major clue
zezimarocks222 2 years ago
hahahaa
MrAppose 2 years ago
Comment removed
winterbournemadison 2 years ago
To answer your response.
The guard does wait a total of 21 seconds. However, for a Ceremonial Event and being apart of the Old Guard, their counting is slower than a regular count of seconds. For every two seconds for us, it's 1 second for them. Try it, and you'l l see that he does move at 21 seconds in their counting.
CadetRhodes 2 years ago
watch the video we have something speical about the number 21 when he walks its 21 steps when he waits at each end its 21 seconds i forgot what it was for any1 care to remind me
USMC670 2 years ago
21 gun salute
TheGreenSmoke 2 years ago
It's very good too see how the Americans proud of their grandparents. Just like in Russia, you honor and glory the soldiers, who bring victory and freedom in World War 2. I am very proud of you, my American friends.
RUSLowMoRUS 2 years ago 19
Yes, We are very patriotic as you are in Russia.
ahahanoob 2 years ago 3
I was just at the Tomb about a month ago. D.C. is really interesting.
stallionplaya52 2 years ago 10
these guards can never swear or drink alcohol as long as they are a guard of the tomb. and for the first six months on the job, they cant alk at all.
zachbdude 2 years ago 2
Hey..sorry but im confused...
What's so important about that tomb?
sexybabepaige 2 years ago
I don't mean to sound mean...I am a veteran of the U.S. Army for 20 years... this place of honor represents the dead bodies of individuals who gave up their relative comfort of their time to be placed between the bullets of an enemy and the freedom of home. It is an American tribute to honor everyone who died in their youth so that others would not have to do so. It is more important, for me, than the Capitol Bldg, the White House and the Washington Monument.
CounselorEducator 2 years ago 2
This Tomb contains the remains of servicemen who not only died for their country, but no one knows who they are. This is the main reason of many that it is guarded by elite soldiers 24 hours a day.
dmedicFF 2 years ago
what is so important about that tomb? it honors those who not only gave thier lives for us, but thier identities as well. it is a place of honor for those U.S. soldiers whoes bodies were very unfortunately so damaged they were unidentifiable. JFK's grave is in the same cemetery, but visiting this tomb was so much more important to me. to have the honor of being there during the changing of the guard ceremony is breathtaking.
howiefbr 2 years ago
its where a soldier from i think the civil war is burried. know one knows who he is. there used to be a soldier from vietnam in there too but recently used DNA to figure out who he was.
zachbdude 2 years ago
This tomb represents soldier's who have died in duty but are to badly injured to be recognized, and until all 140 of the body represented here are identified this will never stop guarding they will always guard this tomb.
ahahanoob 2 years ago 3
I'm from Kahuku, Hawaii. My AI is 1Sgt Glover who was an Honor Guard
kahuku96731 2 years ago
My JROTC Army Instructor was an honor guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Makes me proud to be one of his cadets.
kahuku96731 2 years ago
The stationary bird/guard event seems to be brought up from 1:04 to 1:32.
billpedan 2 years ago
the "stationary bird" is actually a leaf blowing across the ground. Sorry for the let down everyone! But the timing is quite interesting...I never noticed it before!
seemizzle 2 years ago
The bird appears from stage left at 1:04, when the guard is standing still facing the right with his back to the bird. The bird hovers still for the next 29 seconds, untill 1:33. Amazingly, 29 seconds is the just about the exact amount of time the guard stood still. As the guard steps forward with his left foot at around 1:33, the bird takes off in the same direction as the guard. Amazing!
billpedan 2 years ago
I was wondering why did they choose the 3rd infantry to be able to be guards and why not any other branch?
crackatooth 2 years ago
The 3rd Infantry Regiment is the oldest infantry regiment in the Army. Today, it does the ceremonial work in Washington, DC; i.e., performing burials at Arlington, marching in Presidential inaugurations, etc. Giving the job of Honor Guard to them makes sense.
The 3rd Infantry have done it since 1948. Before that, other units did it, most notably the 3rd Cavalry.
SergeantC2 2 years ago
It would be a tremendous honor to be a guard at the Tomb.....I would give anything to be selected as a guard.... Happy Memorial Day all, remember the reason why we have this day, go thank a vet somewhere today!!
jeremyb6 2 years ago 2
this is such an honor to do. i know a lot of people that want to do this
minimouth9 2 years ago
How often are the guards changed??
RADARpb 2 years ago
depends on the season in the winter they guard for an hour and in summper only 30 mins
USApatriot85 2 years ago 2
My Son is a runner up, yet to be decided, I could not be more excited!
AngelinaV67 3 years ago 3
whats a runner up
JETSROCK3195 3 years ago
My bad choice of words, He was actually one of 8 chosen from some 300 or so. Won't find out until he graduates from A. I. T. In March. His higher ups recommended him for his outstanding work so far. That's what I meant. My Bad.
AngelinaV67 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
russians can do bether marching than that
Sovjet2 3 years ago
Americans are not Russians. We follow our own customs. You will never see an American soldier marching in goose-step, thankfully.
ffairlane57 2 years ago 3
he waited a lot longer than 21 seconds did he not?? it was more around 31
yuhatn 3 years ago
there wasnt anyone down there that tall. i was there that night. on dec 13.
sjcobi14 3 years ago
thats not correct... the height is but the waist size isnt.
sjcobi14 3 years ago
no thats correct
ConfederateTanker1 3 years ago
Good luck. My brother graduated from Ft. Benning on Sept.26, and is currently in D.C. in the same company. His roommate is a tomb guard, but my brother exceeds the max height by 2 or 3 inches. Last night, though, he filled in for someone.
AirsoftJunkie 3 years ago
when i went there to see that, those guys just looked so intimidating! it just creeps ya out a little bit!..lol
vivalapresley 3 years ago
lol BBQ sauce!!!!!!!!!!!! lololololololl
Ptrain94 3 years ago
ive seen this a couple times in person..the last time i went there were people in the audience(and yes they happen to be forigners) would laugh everytime he clicked his heels..took everything i had to not turn around and chew them out..i always wanted to go into the service and one day do this but im not tall enough for their requirements.
ret13yrs 3 years ago
How disrespectful that people would laugh. Most people are incapable of understanding the sacrifice made by servicemen/women and how important these shrines are. In Hyde Park in London recently there were nudist bike riders climbing on the Australian memorial. These people don't deserve the protection given to them by the armed forces of their respective countries.
bigdave260 3 years ago
I had 2 friends while in the Army, both of whom served in the Old Guard, one of whom was a tomb guard. What a great honor it must be to do this duty. The are the sharpest soldiers the Army has, and they make me proud to have worn the blue infantry braid on my shoulder.
rexanater 3 years ago
So they have to gaurd every day for like how long?
wint3rs457 3 years ago
1 hour in summer half our in winter. It's guarded 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
ConfederateTanker1 3 years ago
no its half hour in the summer one hour in winter
sjcobi14 3 years ago
oh thanks
ConfederateTanker1 3 years ago
21 steps and a 21 second wait
stillchiodofan40 3 years ago
in honor of the 21 gun salute
scooterBMX900 3 years ago
the highest honour of a salute a soldier can recieve
TheLou1 3 years ago
yessir it is
scooterBMX900 3 years ago
If anything, this video should give one the respect the men and women of our military deserve. They are amazingly disciplined.
kingconst07 3 years ago
Such talent. I tried doing some rifle drill myself at OCS. None of us could even come close to this guy.
billthrill1 4 years ago
Maybe your just too stupid to realize that any soldier that has the discipline to stand in the freezing cold and blistering heat and still do what these guys do goes way beyond what you could ever do. You do not have the discipline nor the brains. As a soldier and NCO in the US Army with two wars under my belt I take what you said as an insult to our military and our country.
unx3 4 years ago 4
You seem to have forgotten that he has a 14-18 lb. M-14 with a chrome bayonet fixed to the end. Oh, and he's been trained to kill people for a living. Good luck.
tokyomitsubishi 4 years ago
thats some discipline there.
Continental0013 4 years ago
21 eludes to the 21 gun salute- the highest military honor
dmedicFF 4 years ago
Be nice to these guys. They work very hard to make the ceremony and the honor great, beacuse to them it is such- an honor.
Thank you boys for serving and protecting the unknown
Mary4579 4 years ago
You completely idiotic emo drag queen. He'd wipe the floor with you while still taking the time to do 21 steps, 21 seconds of standing still, and 21 more steps.
CreativeGuy 4 years ago 2
Lol you do that dumbass. He'd take that bayonet and shove it up your sorry little punk ass. I would help.
mjkft22 4 years ago
LOL !!
dwarfer777 4 years ago
shut the fuck up u stipid bytch
hauntedhatchet 4 years ago
21 Steps, 21 seconds, then 21 steps again. Discipline
Armilp 5 years ago
wuts the reason for 21
KokSquad 4 years ago
the 21 gun salute.
nubbie1944 4 years ago
I was just at Arlington yesterday. It's a simple, yet powerful ceremony.
livardo 5 years ago