How do I join the old guard?

Join the Old Guard
Non-commissioned officers
Non-commissioned officers
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who has not pursued a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. (Non-officers, which includes most or all enlisted personnel, are of lower rank than any officer.)
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Non-commissioned_officer
and enlisted soldiers wanting to join the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) please call The Old Guard Recruiting Office at commercial (703) 851-1706 or e-mail to Old Guard Recruiting.
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What are the requirements to be a member of The Old Guard?

For starters, they must be in the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also called the Old Guard, and be highly motivated. Most are between 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 4 inches tall; females must be at least 5 feet 8 inches tall, but there's no upper limit on height for guards, according to DC by Foot.
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What are the requirements to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

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 cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.
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Is The Old Guard prestigious?

Assignments to this MTO&E Infantry Regiment are prestigious, challenging and rewarding. Members of The Old Guard serve in the shadow of the most important institutions of our Republic in support of the senior military and civilian leaders of our Nation.
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How do you become a tomb guard Sentinel?

To become a tomb guard, you must be in the 3rd Regiment (the Old Guard) of the US Army and you must volunteer. All it takes is to knock on the tomb guard quarters at the Memorial Amphitheater and say you are interested.
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Behind the Old Guard - Sentinels



How tall do you have to be to be a tomb guard?

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."
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How long do Tomb Guards serve?

Is it true a Sentinel must commit for two years 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. No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb is about a 18 months. However, there is NO set time for service there.
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Do Guards at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier carry loaded weapons?

Aside from getting manhandled (and probably tazed) by the Arlington Police, the Tomb Sentinels are carrying fully functional weapons. Whether they're loaded weapons or if the sentinels have ammunition remains unknown (many sources say they don't), but that's not a reason to go testing the theory.
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Are The Old Guard Marines?

The 3rd United States Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the United States Army. It currently has three active battalions, and is readily identified by its nickname, The Old Guard, as well as Escort to the President.
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How many soldiers are buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

Who Is Buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? Four people have been buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one each for World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. However, the body buried on behalf of soldiers in Vietnam was later exhumed.
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Can a woman guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

We also recognize the sentinels of The Old Guard who serve to protect this eternal resting place, day and night. The history of guarding the Tomb includes the contributions of our nation's five women sentinels who wear the Tomb Guard badge – and their journey to be allowed to hold this honored role.
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How do you become a sentinel?

To become a sentinel, you must go through rigorous training and an incredibly difficult series of tests. These sentinels are only allowed two minor uniform infractions — anything major and you're out. They must memorize a 17-page pamphlet and rewrite it with proper punctuation and make fewer than 10 mistakes.
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Who is the most famous person buried in Arlington National Cemetery?

Kennedy. After his assassination in 1963, President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest in Arlington. Each year millions of people visit the gravesite of the 35th President marked by an eternal flame.
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What branch is The Old Guard?

The 3d U.S. Infantry, traditionally known as "The Old Guard," is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, serving our nation since 1784.
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Is The Old Guard Army?

The 3d U.S. Infantry, traditionally known as "The Old Guard," is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, serving our nation since 1784.
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Where is The Old Guard stationed?

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is the oldest active infantry unit in the Army. Founded in 1784, it even predates the Constitution of the United States. Since 1948, The Old Guard has been stationed in the Washington, D.C., area at Joint Base Myer- Henderson Hall at Fort Myer, Virginia.
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Why is it called The Old Guard?

The 3d U.S. Infantry, traditionally known as "The Old Guard," is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, serving our nation since 1784.
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What does 3rd Platoon mean?

Company, Battery or Troop

A company in the U.S. Army is normally made up of three platoons, which means 60 to 200 soldiers, but it can have more.
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How often is a wreath laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The most solemn ceremonies occur when the president of the United States, or the president's designee, lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to mark the national observance of Memorial Day, Veterans Day or some other special occasion.
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How often does the guard change at Arlington cemetery?

The Changing of the Guard. The military guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is changed in an elaborate ceremony which happens every hour on the hour from October 1 through March 31, and every half hour from April 1 through September 30.
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What rifle do they carry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The M14 was also converted into a Sniper Rifle (M21). The M14 is the standard ceremonial weapon used by the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) today, and is the current weapon carried by Tomb Guards.
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Can you visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at night?

Changing of the Guard

Since April 6, 1948, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with zero exception.
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Is the Changing of the Guard every day?

Changing the Guard doesn't take place every day – it is usually every other day but is subject to change. Before your visit, make sure to check the ceremony schedule on the Household Division's website for confirmed Changing the Guard times. There is no ceremony on days when large events are held in the city centre.
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Why are the Sentinel's gloves wet?

Once picked for duty, the sentinels are subjected to rigorous daily inspections, to make sure their living quarters are tidy and their uniforms “immaculate”. It is true that the sentinels' gloves are wet to improve the grip on the rifle.
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Do Tomb Guards fail inspection?

For 18 months while retired Army specialist Ethan Morse was at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, nobody he knew failed an inspection — until he did. “I was crying,” Morse said. “I thought I was going to be released.” It was raining the day he failed his inspection, which means the weapons can easily rust, he explained.
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