0494
Benjamin S. Bell
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
1stHighest Military Rank
SGTTomb Dates
Jan 2001 - Jul 2004Military Dates
Jul 1999 - Jul 2004Society Membership
Lifetime MemberHome City / State
Winter Haven, FLCurrent City / State
Tampa, FLTomb Reflections
There were so many it really is hard to pick from them all. I think I have forgotten some of the best. Walking became my favorite thing to do. Just being outside with the Unknowns in the dead of winter and nobody else was around. That was always special. However, I took a lot of pride in training the New Men. I had a lot of other Badgeholders setting the best example around me (Welker, Basso, and Griffin) and most of the time I could not hold a candle to their efficiency or successes that they had as trainers. But I did my best to convey to New Men what was the most important thing about being a Sentinel: The Unknowns. I tried to edify a sense of purpose in those I trained, focusing on the sacrifice of the Unknowns and why it was so special that we did the very best that we could to honor their memory. The ones that really wanted to be at the Tomb for all those right reasons understood what I was saying.So, from that perspective my favorite memory stems from what I considered my crowning achievement as a trainer: Ryan Ball. I was not his primary trainer, that would have been Ryan Kline, but Ball spent over month trying to earn his First Walk. On the day he earned it I spoke to him about what the Unknowns meant to me and I got very emotional and teary-eyed. I looked at him and he was crying too. I knew then that SPC Ball had his heart in the right spot. He got a walk that day, and went to become a Badgeholder.
Contact Information
Units & Campaigns
289th MP Co. (-)Awards & Decorations
Army Commendation Medal (2nd award)Army Achievement Medal (3rd award)
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Driver and Mechanic Badge
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge
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Learn More
Did you know?
Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?
The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand with a straight back and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up walking down the mat. Done correctly, the hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives a more formal, fluid and smooth look to the walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.
The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.
Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to heel click during certain movements. A guard change is considered great when all the heel clicks fall together and sound as one click. The guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns) with no voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.
