This Tomb Has Been Guarded Non-Stop Since 1937

In Arlington, Virginia—this place right here—the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been under constant guard since midnight on July 2, 1937. Inside the tomb rest the unidentified remains of a U.S. soldier who fought during World War I. The tomb was built to represent all missing or unknown service members who gave their lives for their country. The Tomb Guards maintain a 24/7 presence, standing watch every minute of every day, no matter the conditions—we’re talking rain or snow, the brutal summer heat, or the miserable depths of winter.

Those who volunteer for this duty have to undergo a strict selection process and intensive training. But once chosen, they become part of the Honor Guard, known as "Sentinels," and earn the prestigious Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge. That badge? It’s the third-rarest decoration in the U.S. military, awarded to only 722 soldiers as of March 2024.

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