MarauderMike
06-17-2004, 03:05 PM
Just some interesting notes,
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and why?
21 steps, it alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the
highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his
return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1..
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the
rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time,
and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After
his march across the path, he executes an about face, and moves
the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day,
and 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb he must be
between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."
Other requirements! of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a
barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty
for the rest of their lives. They can not swear in public for the rest
of their lives and can not disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb
in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their
lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400
presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up
the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and
cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the
top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a
halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch
TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest
in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and
where they are interred.
Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and
Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of
W.W.II} of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for
guard duty.
To those who have served and to those who now serve our armed forces, my respects to you all.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and why?
21 steps, it alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the
highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his
return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1..
3. Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the
rifle.
4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time,
and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After
his march across the path, he executes an about face, and moves
the rifle to the outside shoulder.
5. How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day,
and 365 days a year.
6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb he must be
between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."
Other requirements! of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a
barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty
for the rest of their lives. They can not swear in public for the rest
of their lives and can not disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb
in any way.
After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their
lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400
presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up
the wreath pin.
The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and
cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the
top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a
halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch
TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest
in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and
where they are interred.
Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and
Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of
W.W.II} of Hollywood fame.
Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for
guard duty.
To those who have served and to those who now serve our armed forces, my respects to you all.