[Music] the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument dedicated to servicemen who gave everything in defense of our country located in Arlington National Cemetery Virginia and attracting millions of visitors each year the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands proudly protected by tomb Sentinels the soldiers of the third United States Infantry Regiment the Old Guard took over the right to guard the Tomb in April of 1948 and continue to carry on this sacred Duty the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year for the past 77 years but what exactly does it take to be a sentinel selfless service training time and ultimately Perfection and it all starts with volunteering um basically all soldiers are selected on a volunteer basis um nobody's forced to come down here um we take them only if they're volunteering um that way we know we're getting a soldier who really wants to be down here so we put soldiers through two different types of training it could either be a two week uh TDY class as we call it or it could be a 30-day TDY class the TDY cycle is to get prospective guards to learn the basics of uniform rifle manual marching and and memorization of history and facts Each of which is completely unique to the Sentinels all the candidates uniforms are torn apart and rebuilt from the ground up in order to achieve their standard of perfection everything we do down here is for the uh soldiers that are on the Plaza that gave up everything gave up their life gave up their identity exactly what we uh try to try to perfect our uh performance our uniforms and everything to hold it to the highest standard take pride in your uniforms you putting time putting work into your uniforms getting them good is just the same as you doing well outside because it's it's honoring the unknowns so every coat of Polish I put on my shoes every time I shine my windows and boogers that's for them at the end of the TDY cycle candidates are tested on their uniform out side performance rifle manual and reciting seven pages of knowledge verbatim on average about 60% of candidates will not graduate the TDY cycle successful candidates are counselled assigned to a relief issued tomb guard uniforms and dubbed Newman Newman assists the reliefs in preparing Sentinels prior to guard changes work on building and maintaining uniforms and are given more knowledge to study they're constantly evaluated and endure three more tests before earning the privilege to take the guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier identification badge test and receive the distinction of being called a sentinel on average the entire process takes 6 to 9 months with an overall attrition rate of 90% And proves why the tomb guard badge is the second least awarded identification badge in the United States Army only second to the army astronaut badge okay so the first thing I'm tested on and that's what you saw in the morning was the uniform testing down down the line it tests overall appearance uh meaning posture how you look then it it goes from overall appearance to uh measurements to how your blouse looks to whether or not it's been sewn correctly whether or not it's been pressed correctly just making sure you know how to do the uniforms yourself and making sure it's to the standard which is to Perfection if it's not to the standard of perfection then it get gets gigged you're only at two deficiencies that was the first part of the test the second part of the test that kind of lasts throughout the day is the outside performance test uh gigs on outside performance would be such things like posture again um whether or not you're staying in Cadence or the rhythm of the person changing you out your rifle angles basically anything anything that can go wrong um they can gig you on they could they could even gig you on uniforms outside the third thing that I'll be tested on is the brief and uh basically what you're doing there is you're showing the sergeant of the guard that you know how to brief visitors coming in he's got to know that we can hold our own and prove that we know about the tomb and that's where that 17 pages of knowledge that we had to memorize come into play on top of the constant evaluations and maintaining the standard of perfection the tomb guards and Sentinels have a work ethic all their own we work on a 9-day work schedule basically the first 5 days uh we work a we're on work and then off work uh basically working three days um 26 hours on 22 hours off basically is what it comes down to we wanted to speak to Sentinel Johnston Mo but duty to his mission took precedence and he had to get ready for his guard shift yeah we got four minutes yeah you want to start getting ready yeah I'm going to need to get ready all right that's sorry with only 4 minutes before he had to walk out the door go yeah [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] all right John I'm out the door right behind start have a good walk have a good change I'll see you the inspection BL I'll be you there [Music] ladies and gentlemen may I have your attention please I am sergeant lii of the third infantry regiment United States Army guard of Honor Tomb of the Unknown Soldier the ceremony that you are about to witness is The Changing of the Guard in keeping with the Dignity of this ceremony it is requested that everyone remain silent and standing thank you hats on your orders post and orders remain as directed ORD act acknowledge ready Pace present hold right hard heart if a tomb card passes their badge test their hard work dedication to Perfection selfless service and tireless efforts cumulate in a badge ceremony with members of the regiment friends and family but for the Sentinels the prize is not another piece to add to their uniform it is about honoring those that gave their all when you first get down here the goal is never supposed to be about the badge I think every I can speak for every single Sentinal here we would do our job just as hard just as well if this badge never existed if you really know what you're doing you're guarding the unknown soldiers who gave everything their parents never never got to bury then ever and you are out there guarding the unknowns for those people who never never got that satisfaction of burying their loved ones and I just feel an overwhelming sense of of Pride to be able to do that and while the extreme weather conditions long hours and high standards would disuade volunteers from coming forward the Sentinels all stated it was their greatest decision an extremely stressful fast-paced life-changing event easiest way to explain it but Aller the better right oh absolutely um it'll change you as a person it'll change you as a soldier teach you how to be a leader teach you how to be led um you'll learn more about yourself than you ever thought you will it'll push you to the edge physically mentally and then it'll push you some more and if you have that dve of motivation to keep on pushing you can make it through till the end the SEL C my dedication to this sacred duty is total and wholehearted 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 to respect and protect his bravery that made us so prown surrounded by well-meaning crowds by day alone in a thoughtful peace of night this Soldier Will in on GL rest under my eternal vigilance Simon 1971