Tomb Guard Assistance Program (TGAP) Update
3 years ago
Greetings, the Tomb Guard Assistance Program (TGAP) Co-chairs are seeking local Society members to support the Platoon. As some of you may be aware, earlier this year Carnell Nettles moved to San Antonio, Texas which caused a gap in the local support to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Platoon as related to Society.
That support entails at a minimum to be a physical presence at New Badge and Last Walk Ceremonies as needed on behalf of Society. This could also include attendance to occasional external events that current Platoon members are present for.
Typically, all notices for these events are generated greater than two weeks in advance and disseminated by the current Sergeant of the Guard (SOG). Duties would be simply to present coins during these events and take photographs on the behalf of the Society and then forward to TGAP Co-Chairs for social media use.
We need your Help
We would like to establish a list of Society members that are in the commutable area to the Arlington National Cemetery ANC. Dave Hathaway (Quartermaster) does a great job of preparing the items that are donated to the Soldiers and regularly represents the Society. Moving forward we would like to have a stronger Society presence with the Platoon in all areas, not just ceremonies.
If you currently live in Maryland, Virginia and/or District of Columbia we are soliciting your help. Please provide the following information:
Name
Email
Phone number
Badge number and years of service
Mentorship
We would like to stand up a process of helping and guiding the Tomb Guard Platoon in support of their personal development. This opportunity would be available to all members of the Society, including Associate and Legacy Members for the purpose of mentorship. Society members are asked to contact the TGAP with their contact information to be a volunteer . Members can volunteer professional or personal expertise that they feel would be beneficial to these young Soldiers.
Possible mentor candidates would be business owners, pilots, subject matter experts at applying for federal jobs, electrician, collector, executive, instructor, hunter, hobbyist or other professionals.
If you feel that you can provide other members with assistance in your field of experience and want to give back, feel free to volunteer.
Please send you information or requests to Paul Basso at Bosdeo@hotmail.com or Carnell Nettles at tgap275@tombguard.org. Please include Contact information, areas of specialization that you could provide guidance and your availability and willingness to assist.
Paul Basso, Co-Chair (2000-04, 2015-17)
Carnell Nettles, Co-Chair (1983-85)
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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.
Learn More
Did you know?
How many Sentinels have been female?
There have been over 700 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 eight female Sentinels awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge:
SGT Danyell Wilson earned her badge in 1997SSG Tonya Bell received hers in 1998
SGT Ruth Hanks earned her badge in June 2015
SFC Chelsea Porterfield earned her badge in 2021
SGT Kamille Torres earned her badge in 2022
SPC Jessica Kwiatkowski earned her badge in 2023
SGT Kaylee Johnston earned her badge in 2024
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.
