What is special about the guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

It's Tradition. It's Honor. It's Respect.

Everything about this platoon is perfection.

I can't explain why it's "sooo special". It just IS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK1eO7eMWzY&feature...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjwM0_jikfU&feature...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw2DX2xLS-A&feature...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d66vOoexcg&feature...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XiuZRb_4UU&feature...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmHWyqPNQdU&feature...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-Iud-CsXw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-dBwdeJSGo&feature...

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/sentin...

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/ceremonies/sentin...

http://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcomm...

It's one of the highest honors a person in the military can receive, to work there.

The names of each person assigned to guard duty at the tomb is engraved on a plaque, and your name can be removed from that plaque even after you leave the military if you show non-exemplary behavior.

The guards do everything to a TEE, they stand at attention in rain or shine.

I watched an AMAZING documentary about Arlington National Cemetery that was done by National Geographic. You can watch it for free on Cast TV (you might have to make an account to watch it, but it's pretty easy and you don't pay anything or get spam).

Anyways, it's called "Arlington: Field of Honor"

It's interesting just on its own, it has history of the cemetery, how funerals there work, etc. But it also has pretty extensive information about the presidential guard and the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, including segments about how long it takes to get ready, how the guard changes go, and why it's so important (and it shows that infamous plaque that I mentioned earlier, with a few names actually removed from it. So you know it's a big deal). The documentary was GREAT if you're interested in learning about the tomb of the unknown soldier, or even just Arlington in general.

Second only to visiting the cemetery for yourself (which I did, and I still didn't get half the information found in this video)

Anyways, here's a link to it:

http://www.casttv.com/video/ke0m1w/national-geogra...

You might even be able to find it on hulu, since I think that's the original source of the video anyways. So if you have a hulu account look for it there.

Tomb Guards come from the 3RD Infantry Regiment, the OLD Guard, the oldest and still active unit in the military. The unit was formed in 1784, and has been active ever since..

The Tomb badge is the 2nd hardest badge to obtain, with the Army Astronaut badge the 1st.

I don't really know but there was something about the tomb of a soldier idenity was unknown but not many years ago they did dna and found out who he was but I guess the continue to do the ritual of the guard changing because it is so popular with people that vitis. We were there in June right before 911 took place. We had the pleasure of watching the ritual of the changing of the guards. If you ever get the chance to vist it is a must that you see it.The soldiers are so diginified and so respectful of the dead.Here is what happen , when the guards were doing the rituals a sudden wind blew and blew a coke can right in fron of one of the soldiers feet when he was making his steps. (I was thinking, lets see how he gets out of this one) he did a quick diginified side kick and kicked the can out of the way. I wanted to clap but knew better.

It is seen as an honor to guard the tomb as symbolic of the sacrifice of life given by the Soldiers of the past.

This being said, because it is paying homage to those who have come before us, they are very picky about who is selected to provide this honor and service.

the tomb of the unknowns is one of the most respected places thats not only a tomb but a place were they honor those who gave their lifes in time of war and whos remains where never found its not the job thats special is the place

chek this website out

http://www.snopes.com/military/unknown.asp

Well, you are basically guarding the Tomb of many soldiers that died on duty. The tomb is a tribute to the men and women who fought and died for us and whose remains have not been found.

The guard isn't special...the place is special

Guard dutie is very important if you *** it up you *** your career.....