Sergeant of the Guard

This is the beginning of the change of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• tomb
• of
• the
• unkown
• soldier
• arlington
• national
• cemetary

[rgp2130]

An amazing video, watching the changing of the guard is a real honor, even though I have to watch it here online. I have a few questions which I hope anyone can answer, most of these questions have answers in the comments section but none that are concise and easy to understand, so without delay, my questions:

1. In regards to sunglasses, are they issued for a certain rank only such as guard commander?

2. In regards to rank, regardless of any rank, is only three chevrons ever worn?

Thank You

[chcknhawk]

@rgp2130 1) They are issued to all guards. I'm not sure if there is a policy about WHEN they can wear, but there is no rank restriction.

2) No, there are different ranks depending upon who is on guard and that Soldier's rank.

[Godsgirl0777]

I havn't ever heard of this before ... I was just looking at all the videos you posted and saw it.

Why does this spot have to be gaurded all the time?

[chcknhawk]

It's symbolic that even though they are unknown, we have not forgotten them. We guard over their memory until they can be identified as well as all other missing in action Soldiers.

[Bowen213]

just because he is no longer in the Army

[chcknhawk]

ok, cool.

[captivemrhanky]

You better be. There are two guards behind him who will defend that tomb to the death with their rifles, bayonet, and fists.

[grrgirl05]

Do everyone a favor and silence yourself UCDMarine.

[GhettoBlaster100]

It's crazy that they do this 24/7

[4lifeNz]

@captivemrhanky

The magazine in the m14 isn't loaded. If someone was to trespass, the guards cannot use deadly force with there sidearms unless there lives are in danger

[rgp2130]

@kromeda @daughterofra

As you have both mentioned, the unknowns cannot be outranked by sentinels therefore the sentinels do not wear any rank markings, however as kromeda pointed out there is the catch 22 that the unknowns are congressional medal of honor recipients therefore cannot be outranked, so my question is; why not have the sentinels wear their respective ranks within the guard, not their true army ranks since as i mentioned they cannot outrank a CMH recipient. Thank You.

[rgp2130]

@chcknhawk @leafboii11b @daughterofra

Many thanks for your replies to my question. Take care and god bless.

[daughterofra]

@8MistaKaos9 Yes they are thrown into a war, but (minus one war in the US history) all soldiers have to sign up. They are willing to risk their lives and health to protect the rights of this country. If you don't like their sacrifice then move to Antarctica where you can be in charge of protecting yourself.

[daughterofra]

@Godsjudgement12 The guards will give them a warning (depending on what they are doing they will instruct the person to not step over the rail, or to be quiet.) They issue this warning for everyone no matter the age. People have also been removed from the ceremony due to bad behavior.

[daughterofra]

@rgp2130 In response to your second question. The sentinels do not wear any markings of their rank so as not to be above the rank of the Unknowns. The men and women who conduct the ceremony can be of any rank, but once they go on guard duty, they give up their rank.

[Godsjudgement12]

@MajorAudieMurphy then id assume the weapon isnt loaded or maybe blanks, but what happens when theres someone screwing around and messes with the ceremony in some way?

[MajorAudieMurphy]

@Godsjudgement12 - Then you heard wrong. They do not point their weapon at anyone, much less a child.

[hildegardvinlander]

@8MistaKaos9 Ask any veteran about military discipline & bearing.