Fact Sheets

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Arlington National Cemetery, is guarded by U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment based in the Washington, D.C. area.  Since 1930, the Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even during inclement weather conditions, including hurricanes.

Each Soldier guard goes through extensive training to learn the discipline of standing watch at the Tomb, and as members of the Old Guard, Soldiers have the opportunity to guard, escort and meet U.S. Presidents and international dignitaries.  To demonstrate their precision, Tomb guards walk exactly 21 steps, pivot, wait 21 seconds and retrace their 21 steps for as long as two hours at a time to guard the Tomb.  The number 21 symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed on a Soldier, as in the 21 gun salute.