A R L I N G T O N   N A T I O N A L   C E M E T E R Y

Arlington, Virginia

The guard walks back and forth in front of the Tomb in percise, military fashion. This activity is referred to as Walking the Mat.

• The soldier paces 21 steps past the Tomb, alluding to the 21-gun salute, the highest honor given a military or foreign dignitary.
• Upon the 21st step, the soldier turns and faces the Tomb for a full 21 seconds.
• The soldier then turns to face the other direction across the Tomb, then changes his weapon to the outside shoulder.
• After another 21 seconds, the first step of the ritual is repeated.

The amount of time a given guard is on duty varies with the time of the year. From April 1st to September 30th, the guard is changed every 30 minutes. That interval increases to to 60 minutes between October 1st to March 31st. All night walks are 60 minutes in duration.

Regardless of whatever Mother Nature has thrown their way (blizzards, hurricanes, blistering heat, torrential rain, hail), the guards have faithfully guarded the tomb continuously without fail, 24 hours, 7 days a week, since 1930. All guards have actually received training on how not to show their great discomfort during such turbulent times. As the story goes, one day, as Hurricane Isabelle approached Washington DC, the assigned guards were given permission to suspend their assignment. A simple and very direct three word response quickly followed, "No way, Sir!"

All the while, as the guards keep their incessant vigil, indication of the soldier's rank cannot be found anywhere on the their uniform, for they wish to never outrank the Unknowns who they stand guard over.

VIDEOS: Here's a video (5.6 MB) of the guard talking his 21 step walk in a northerly direction. Here's another (3.4 MB) of him switching his rifle to his outer shoulder and starting his 21 second wait. This last one (5.7 MB) is of the guard making his 21 step trek in a southerly direction.

5pm, the time for the Changing of the Guards has arrived!

VIDEOS: Here's a video (6.3 MB) of a new guard coming in to relieve the soldier who's currently on guard. To my great embarrasment, while filming the event, my friggin' cell phone rings! I forgot to turn it off! As you'll see, I duck for cover while killing the call. This next video (6.3 MB) is of the guard on duty. My plan was to shoot him, then pan to the new guard, but... my cell phone goes off again! I hadn't turned off the phone the first time around! It must have been the same person calling me back. From the video you can see me making a mad dash away from the ceremony. I'm such a moron!