ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Jeopardy 
Question: 

On 
Jeopardy the other night, the final question was 
"How many steps does the guard take during his 
walk across the tomb of the Unknowns?" 
All three contestants missed it! 
This  is really an awesome sight to watch if you've  never had the chance . 
Fascinating.  Tomb  of the Unknown Soldier


1. 
How many steps does the guard take during his 
walk across the tomb of the Unknowns 
and why?



21 
steps: 
It 
alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which 
is the highest honor given anymilitary or foreign dignitary. 



2. 
How long does he hesitate after his about face 
to begin his return 
walk and why?



21 
seconds for the same reason as answer number 
1


3. 
Why are his gloves wet?


His 
gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his 
grip on the rifle.



4. 
Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all 
the time 
and, if 
not, why not? 

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. 


5. 
How often are the guards changed?


Guards 
are changed every thirty minutes, 
twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a 
year.



6. 
What are the physical traits of the guard 
limited to? 

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. 


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 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 Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most 
decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.