Jared Martin

Tomb Position

Sentinel

Tomb Relief

1st

Highest Military Rank

Staff Sergeant

Tomb Dates

Aug 2001 - Aug 2003

Military Dates

Oct 1998 - Jan 2008

Society Membership

Member

Home City / State

Alexandria, VA

Current City / State

Kansas City, MO

Tomb Reflections

A lot of stuff that was fun and a lot not so fun.

Respect to those who board the rides to the nastiest places in the world for our freedom.

So many memories with some of the most professional and disciplined guys I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

Nothing compares to the feeling of the first walk of a crisp morning, when it is only you and the unknowns, and the fog is creeping through the cemetery.

Units & Campaigns

3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) - Honor Guard Company, CCG

3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) - TUS Platoon, H Company

25th Infantry Division, Hawaii

Afghanistan

Iraq

Awards & Decorations

National Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge

Back to Tomb Guards

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The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) is able to provide our programs, events, assistance, scholarships, and services due to the generosity of its members, organizations, and individuals. SHGTUS does not receive institutional funding. Note: The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your contributions may be fully tax deductible.

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Learn More

Did you know?

How many Sentinels have been female?

There have been over 680 tomb guards awarded the badge since 1958 when we started counting. There are hundreds more from the year 1926 when the Army started guarding the Tomb. The 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard) is the unit that has been given the duty of guarding the Tomb. It was given this sacred duty in 1948. The Old Guard was -- and still is -- considered a combat unit. As an Infantry unit, females were not permitted in the ranks for many years. It wasn't until 1994 that females were permitted to volunteer to become a Sentinel when the 289th Military Police Company was attached to the Old Guard. The MP branch is a combat support unit and includes females.

In 1996, SGT Heather Johnsen became the first female to earn the Tomb Guard Identification Badge. She volunteered for duty in June 1995 and earned her badge in 1996. However, SGT Johnson was not the only female Sentinel. Since then, there have been a total of five female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:

SGT Danyell Wilson earned her badge in 1997
SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021

Several other units have since been attached to the Old Guard -- food service, transportation, medics, etc. -- so now females have an ever greater opportunity to become a Sentinel. Females must meet the same requirements as the male soldiers to be eligible to volunteer at the Tomb. the only difference is that females have a minimum height of 5'8" -- which is the same standard to be a member of the Old Guard.

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