Tomb of the Unknown Soldier question?

Question

Should there be a multi-branch guard force for the tomb?
Yes, the name of the tomb would imply that it is a Army thing, but the unknowns can be from any branch. In fact a unknown interned there was identified to be a Air Force pilot. So do you think the other services should be able to render honors to the unknowns as well?

Answer 1

The 3rd Infantry , also known as the old Guard has the honor of Guarding the tomb. Mostly because it is a military tradition.

However the other services are not left out as they participate in services at the tomb.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/tombofun.htm

Answer 2

Has anyone ever tried to get past the Tomb guards, or attempted to deface the Tomb? Yes, that is the reason why we now guard the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different (see attached picture). People often came to the cemetery in those days for picnics during which time some would actually use the Tomb as a picnic area (probably because of the view). Soon after, 1925, they posted a civilian guard; in 1926, a military guard was posted during cemetery hours; and on July 1, 1937, this was expanded to the 24-hour watch. Since then, the ceremony has developed throughout the years to what we have today. Today, most of the challenges faced by the Sentinels are tourists who want to get a better picture or uncontrolled children (which generally is very frightening for the parent when the Soldier challenges the child).

Answer 3

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is interred in the ground, and the Army has the primary job of holding the ground anywhere we go. It is the Army's way of paying respects to anyone interred on US soil. The other branches have similar forms of honor according to their own traditions. i.e. Navy, burial at sea, and Air force, the missing man formation. I'm sure the Marines and Coastguard have similar forms of honor.

Answer 4

Arlington started out as a civil war Army cemetery. Which is probably why the Army has had the privilege of guarding it throughout the decades even after other branches have been interred there. The oldest graves are still that of Soldiers. However the other services do participate in wreath ceremonies and funeral services.

Answer 5

There's enough glory to go around.
Army- Old Guard- Arlington
Navy= Mans the rails every time a ship passes the Arizona memorial
Marines- Their band, "The president's own."
and the silent drill team. The president's helicopter, Marine 1.
Air Force. When the president travels, it's on Air Force One.
Coast Guard- When "The tall ships" sail, who is out front?
No one service has all the honor details.

Answer 6

Sure but there is a special unit that takes care of that duty. The training for that job is crazy and tough. There are written essays and test you have to take you have to know the history of the tomb. I am not sure why it is only the army but it is and always will be. Tradition I guess.

Answer 7

When they identified the Air Force Officer, Arlington National Cemetery changed the names of the tombs to the Tombs of the Unknown. Now all services are represented. The guard at the Tombs is multi-service as well.

Answer 8

I don't think you should nit pick this. You don't know why it was decided that the Army was selected. Perhaps the other branches of the military also wanted the Army to stand guard. The main thing is we need to honor our fallen heroes. Even when they are dying for a lost cause like Iraq.

Answer 9

You might want to look at a question I had about this a few weeks ago

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhwqTO9IZme5HGFj3OkO0zjty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071123105357AAEQkp7

Answer 10

no it should be the army and it should continue to be the army.
why because that is tradition and why should we change tradition just to make everyone happy.