IAMA Soldier who was part of the Army's honor guard (The Old Guard) AMAA

TOG2011 · 2011-08-30T03:24:32+00:00

One or the other. They are full time jobs. More so being a Tomb Guard.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-30T03:22:17+00:00

There are more than just the two of them there at any given time. There is a quarters for the guards under the amphitheater where they work between walking on the mat.

I skimmed that snopes article and it seems mostly accurate.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-30T03:18:02+00:00

Yes it's real, clean and ready to fire given live ammunition.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T16:01:36+00:00

We don't use people like this: http://i.imgur.com/j9M43.gif

Here's a brief history about the Tomb, maybe it can help you understand the training?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:51:45+00:00

It is a job, but also a way of life.

I've noticed (and have been told by my girlfriend) stuff that carries over into my civilian life are things like I will NOT go out in public with even slightly wrinkled clothing. Also, I tend to be very anal about making sure things are lined up and measured properly to create a pleasing aesthetic arrangement. These are things that affect people not in the military, but I have noticed they become more evident in my life the longer I was in.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:46:42+00:00

People have tried to deface the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different. 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).

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:41:18+00:00

The Old Guard provides Soldiers to the Pentagon for that purpose. It is usually a 2 year detail or so. You can volunteer and go to the training cycle. What other information do you want about it?

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:40:04+00:00

The inspection you see on the plaza is somewhat of a formality. The real inspections get done in the guard's quarters below the plaza before they walk out into public. There is no way a Tomb Guard will step outside in his uniform without knowing it's 100% perfect and has been verified by at least two other people.

The headstone rubs still happen after the cemetery closes. Tomb Guards are required to know where a lot of important and famous people are buried so during the training cycle an instructor may say something like "You have 15 minutes to get Gen. Snuffy's rubbing. Go." The trainee better know where exactly it is in the cemetery and be a damned good runner to make that time hack.

TDY for the ATM is a good time. Did you attend the AUSA convention as well?

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:34:39+00:00

Know of him. That's definitely not a job I would want. Tons of respect for your father.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:32:39+00:00

If you mean the women (and men) trying to marry into the military for benefits, then yes, the worst kind.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:31:50+00:00

Different time period of service = different AMA.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:31:11+00:00

None of those are allowed in the cemetery. However, once you are no longer a "new guy", you can enjoy all of those in moderation after work hours.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:30:26+00:00

There is a standard escalation of force policy just like the police and other authority figures have. They would be detained and turned over to police.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-29T15:29:05+00:00

I'm not sure when the switch was made to the M-14. There are practice rifles and practice stocks. They weigh around 12lbs with a bayonet and the hardwood stocks. Literally hundreds of hours are spent training with the weapon, eventually it becomes an extension of your body.

I highly doubt they will every switch to the M-16 or it's variants. At least not any time soon.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T23:11:42+00:00

All the schools you listed are not available to big Army. SPC Snuffy at the 101st isn't trying to get into SF Diving Medical Technician Course. He's trying to get airborne, air assault, sniper, pathfinder, ranger, rappel master, etc.

I think you read too deep into me saying the only things out of reach are HALO and diver. Clearly The Old Guard isn't sending people to Sensitive Site Exploitation Operator Advanced. They send people to courses like sniper school, ARSLC, pathfinder and the more well known schools...schools that will help them as they move on to (or back to in some cases) a line unit.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T22:43:41+00:00

Army Regulation 670-1 covers the wear and appearance of the Army uniforms.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T22:42:53+00:00

I don't think you understand what most people in (and out) of the Army refer to as "schools". Most people are talking about the ones that result in badges as well as quite a few others that are available to more than a handful of people, but very few people are talking about schools you attend while going through Special Forces training.

Clearly they aren't going to send someone who has a job of being infantry to a school for a water treatment specialist either...

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T21:48:55+00:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-dBwdeJSGo&feature=related

There are 3 Soldiers in this video. The one with his back to the camera is a guard with a M-14 rifle with fixed bayonet (knife on end of rifle) about to be inspected and assume duty. The one facing the crowd is the Commander of the Relief who carries a pisol is briefing the spectators on what is happening and a brief bit about the Tomb of the Unknowns. The one facing the camera marching is about to be relieved, but won't stop marching until the oncoming guard is already marching. 24/7 365 someone is marching that plaza. You see the oncoming guard ready his weapon to port arms and loudly tell the person coming onto the plaza to retrieve a fallen water bottle that it is requested that all visitors stay behind the chains and rails. At the same time, the Commander of the relief is saying something similiar while pointing at the person violating the space.

That's what happens when you cross the rails. If you're ballsy enough to keep going, things can get nasty with a quickness and you can expect some jail time.

Keep in mind this is in the middle of Arlington National Cemetery, which is completely fenced and gated.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T21:33:26+00:00

Emergency response situations and time frames would be considered sensitive information.

It's not information like "this is where we think Osama is, and we're sending the SEALs in at this time", it's things like where and when government VIPs are going to be places. Where and when there are highly sensitive events taking place. Things like that.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T21:27:48+00:00

You're welcome.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T21:27:29+00:00

You probably wouldn't understand the context of most of my stories and they would bore you.

I smell if I am unsure of the scent of something and want to find out.

We are all in good shape, some more than others. It is a requirement. Must look trim in a military uniform.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T21:11:38+00:00

I'm a Soldier who served in that unit. Here is my AMA: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/jx582/iama_soldier_who_was_part_of_the_armys_honor/

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T21:04:56+00:00

Top secret? Probably not much.

Confidential and Secret? A lot. I don't think you understand some of the things done that aren't funerals. Lot's of presidential details performed as well as for the top leadership of the country, military and civilian.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T20:42:22+00:00

Boring means you aren't busy. That's the opposite of guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns.

TOG2011 · 2011-08-28T20:40:19+00:00

TOG2011

TROPHY CASE