Serious Shit Wrote:
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> TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
>
> Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown
> Soldier and the Sentinels of the Third United
> States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard"
>
> Q: How many steps does the guard take during his
> walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
>
> A: 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun
> salute, which is 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 answer
> number 1.
>
> Q: Why are his gloves wet?
>
> A: His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing
> his grip on the rifle.
>
> Q: Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder
> all the time, and if not, why not?
>
> A: No, 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.
>
> Q: How often are the guards changed?
>
> A: Guards are changed every thirty minutes,
> twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.
>
> Q: What are the physical traits of the guard
> limited to?
>
> A: 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 cannot swear in public
> FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot 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 WWII} of
> Hollywood fame. Every guard spends FIVE HOURS A
> DAY getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.
Umm yaaaaaaa, a lot of that is bullshit buddy. Fail.
http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#Is it true 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.