[redwitch]

A couple of additional facts:

There are three "reliefs" for the tomb. They are based on height.

1st relief - 6'2" to 6'4" (yes, 6'4", so the height requirement on your facts is incorrect, sory)
2d relief - 6'0" to 6'2"
3d relief - 5'10" to 6'0"

Those in the know can tell which relief is on duty simply by looking at the height. There are 9 soldiers per relief. Each relief is headed an E-6.

There are many things that have to be memorized. Two that the guards consider most important are The Vigil and, of course, The Sentinel's Creed:

The Vigil

In measured steps he makes in rounds.
The click of heels the only sounds.
He stands erect so straight and tall,
With pride and dedication responds to the call.
With deep affection his vigil keeps,
Over those who forever sleep.
He responds not to the visitors stare,
Maintaining his vigil as if in silent prayer.

In the morning's twilight hours,
His watch becomes like cathedral towers.
Reaching from earth to heaven above,
A lasting tribute to one man's love.
As time and seasons come and go,
His vigil remains for all to know.
That beneath the sacred Arlington sod,
Lies three buddies KNOWN BUT TO GOD.

(Dedicated to my cousin, SSG John Gallagher, US Army Special Forces, killed in action January 5, 1968, Republic of Vietnam, and to the men who guard the Tombs of the Unknowns.) J.R.

The Sentinel's Creed

My dedication to this sacred duty
is total and whole-hearted.
In the responsibility bestowed on me
never will I falter.
And with dignity and perseverance
my standard will remain perfection.
Through the years of diligence and praise
and the discomfort of the elements,
I will walk my tour in humble reverence
to the best of my ability.
It is he who commands the respect I protect,
his bravery that made us so proud.
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day,
alone in the thoughtful peace of night,
this soldier will in honored glory rest
under my eternal vigilance.

(Whenever a guard salutes an officer, they shout, "LINE SIX, SIR!"

The Tomb Guard Identification Badge is the second-least issued badge by the military. The Astronaut Badge is the least. I know that the 500th Badge was issued in 2002. Not sure what the number is now. (The Badge is earned by passing a test. It is not just issued to those who are Sentinels.)

Having known one of the Sentinels personally, I can safely say that they are in fact allowed to drink and swear when not on duty. They are soldiers, not monks -- they can in fact speak to whomever they please when not on duty. However, their first six months as Sentinels are required to be lived in barracks. They can pretty much do what they please when off-duty. However, finding the time to do much of anything is pretty limited.

What is true is that the Tomb Guard Identification Badge is the only military badge issued by the U.S. Army that can be revoked. The Regimental Commander of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment has the authority to revoke a Badge from any Guard (past or present) for any act that would bring discredit upon the Tomb of the Unknowns. No Sentinel acts without thinking of this fact. They wear their badge and wreath with pride for all of their lives. As of, 9 badges had been revoked since the first one was issued in the late 50s.

One thing I learned as a little girl that I always found fascinating was that the Sentinels never wore any rank insignia. It was explained to me that this was so no solder guarding the Unknowns woud ever outrank those buried there. This, to me, is one of the most romantic things I have ever heard.