The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified.
Q. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns?
A. 21 steps alludes to 21 gun salute, the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.
Q. How long does he hesitate after his about-face to begin his return walk and why?
A. 21 seconds for the same reason as above.
The guard’s gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle. 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. Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle approached Washington, the US Senate/House took two days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer. “No way, Sir!” Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
A person applying for guard duty at the tomb must be between 5′ 10′ and 6′ 2′ tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30. They must commit two years to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty, swear in public for the rest of their lives. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying he served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The first six months of duty, a guard cannot talk to anyone or 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.