Are The Tomb Guard Rifles Loaded?

Are these rifles loaded, why are their gloves wet and how long do they have to stay on guard for?

These are 5 crazy facts about the Tomb Guard

No.5 You may think you’re duty starts the moment you’re guarding the tomb but most don’t know it takes Sentinels 8 hours just to prep their uniform. That’s why you never see them fail the changing of the guard uniform inspection.

No.4, During the changing of the guard Sentinels clap their boots together a lot, making this satisfying sound. In order for this audible clang to ring out in unison their boots actually have a shank of steel on the side.. They also have an in built horseshoe to reduce wear whilst allowing them to move smoothly.

No.3 A Sentinels working day lasts a full 24 hours, the guard is changed every 30 mins in summer and every hour in winter although when the cemetery is closed the guard is changed every 2 hours. Whilst not on guard Sentinels prepare their uniform, do physical and tomb guard training or are getting their haircut.

No.2 Sentinels gloves are moistened to improve the grip on their rifle.

Last No.1 Are their rifles loaded? Sadly not, much like the British King’s Guard, the rifles and pistol of the Relief Commander are not loaded.

[cberna]

You forgot the best fact. There are more Medal of Honor recipients than those who earned the Tomb Guard Service Medal.

[mrkenke.]

Well, i guess they prefer melee combat via their bayonet

[scottys]

I recall an article about guarding the tomb during a record hurricane several years ago. For the first time in history, they decided the weather was bad/dangerous enough to cancel guard duty until the winds dropped down to the next lower category (or something like that). The guard refused to leave his post.

[jeraldbottcher]

Another fun fact. These guys are actually in an infantry unit and have to train as in go to the field, fire weapons and go on maneuvers just like any other unit. Yes their primary job is to guard the Tomb of the Unknown at Arlington, but they are soldiers first.

[PB-trze]

My dad was selected for tomb guard duty, but sadly didn't make the final cut, so he never earned his sentinel badge and instead was transferred to the firing party.

Despite failing to become a sentinel, it was one of the proudest moment in his life. Even in his 70's he would demonstrate how to stand, march and do the foot snap. Seeing him bring himself up to full height and snap his heels like he was 20 all over again was a sight to see.

[aaroncrook]

They are allowed 3 "gigs" before the go to the outside inspection. They also go on rotations, they stay in a barracks under the tomb and each team does a rotation. They also have multiple people trying to become sentinels are the ones responsible for helping them prep the uniform and doing final touches and making sure the uniform is correct and everything is polished. The tomb unit ident badge is also the second hardest to get behind us army astronaut.

[bowmaniam]

Visited them 20 years ago and the guards had to yell at the crowd to shut up and show respect. Can't even imagine what it must be like today.

[rogueldrsmiythe]

There is also a “guard station” indoors for inclement/dangerous weather. It’s used mainly for practice. The guard was still outside during Hurricane Andrew so i have read.

[leslieking]

My family visited Arlington in 1968 when I was 9 yrs old. My grandmother's oldest brother was killed in WWl and she had never seen his grave. We were lucky enough to see the changing of the guards while there. It was quite impressive. I'd love to go again now that I'm an adult. We were time limited so there was a lot we didn't get to see.

[ghita]

I just love the Tomb guards...they are so dedicated, respectful, disciplined and very, very stylish. Thank you for your service, Sirs! ❤

[Forgotten.reminisce]

Wearing wet gloves for a whole day is just hell imagine the skin issues after that😭😭

[pagefault]

1.) The uniform prep is done months in advance. When you join the tomb, you don't just get tossed onto the mat. There's months and months of prepwork that you do. You have to know every inch of that cemetary, and often times at night they will play a game with the new recruits, telling them to run out to a headstone to get a charcoal rubbing of X persons headstone with charcoal and paper. Usually someone notable like Joe Louis (Who is, with your back to the memorial, at the left on the bottom of the stairs around there somewhere) or Audie Murphy, people like that. When your uniform skills and knowledge start to get to standard, you begin to take real walks. By this time you've walked countless rotations at night practicing your timing and your manual. of arms.

Fun Note: People HAVE failed the uniform inspection. They have failed the weapons inspection as well. If it's bad enough that the person coming out has to be sent back (I've seen happen once) the person currently on just remains on for another shift so as not to break the timing and the cadence.

3.) Unbadged potential guards also do a lot of book work and uniform work. Badged guards have more freedom, but they still do everything to standard. It's intense.

Also, the haircuts are a unit (3rd Infantry Regiment) standard, though the Tomb cranks it up several notches, you get way more haircuts in The Old Guard than someone does in the Regular Army.

4.) Moist gloves help, but it's really just a band aid until you develop the hand strength and hand-eye coordination for the manual of arms. Many seasoned guards don't need moistened gloves because they could probably crush walnuts in the pit of their index finger and thumb, which is where you get a lot of work when doing manual. That and your forearms.

5.) Correct, they are not loaded. Full stop. Even though the relief commanders weapon actually has a magazine, the M14 the guard uses does not have a magazine. As a matter of fact, when watching the weapon inspection manual, there's a portion where they look THROUGH the magazine well. That would not be possible with a loaded M14.

Also, stop believing people in the comments saying they keep stripper clips or magazines in their pockets or even single rounds. Their blues blouses have had the lining gutted out, and their pockets have been sewn shut to give their blouses the flattest appearance possible when pressing them.

I can see a need for them to be armed in the 50's and 60's when this first started, but now it's 100% a ceremonial station. That doesn't mean if someone crosses the line they won't get checked. Some of the guards I knew were VERY serious about the Tomb, and would let you kiss the stock of their M14 if you tried to cross the railing onto the tomb.

A lot of respect for these guys.

[MorganOtt-neqj]

The Old Guard is one of the most sought after and respected duty placements in the Army. They are also the only ones that can wear the uniforms of all branches for funeral duty. Amazing to watch, whether at the Tomb of the Unknown, or at a funeral service. They all are great in the task's they are assigned. Duty and Honor.👍👍

[handlebarslim]

These men are cut above anyone else The discipline they have to have and devotion to what they're doing they're absolutely phenomenal

[LEgGOdt]

And in the event of Adverse weather conditions, like was in the case of the Superstorm Sandy, there were Men offering to stand guard by themselves the full storm to ensure the safety of their fellow Guardsmen. But they are given a small shelter tent the they can go into for only a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the weather conditions.

And during 9/11 the Tomb Guard stayed at their post to ensure that the unknown soldiers will be watched over

[ChefTT]

They are carried empty but best believe they do have ammo on them.

[lisaland]

My brother in law was a guard this is only a very small amount of the things they do. A amazing group of men that do this.

[crash]

The clicking of the heels pays homage to the original tomb guards, who were a cavalry unit that wore spurs.

[Kandy]

During AIT I got to meet and talk with one of the gaurds, cool guy, he was a SPC too, been in for 3 years. Great experience

[Hybrid-internet-wrestling]

I don't care who you are you gotta respect the Tomb Guards