Joseph Hull

Tomb Position

Assistant Relief Commander, Sentinel

Tomb Relief

3rd

Highest Military Rank

SSG

Tomb Dates

Apr 2007 - Jul 2010

Military Dates

Oct 2006 - Mar 2017

Society Membership

Lifetime Member

Home City / State

Oak Grove, KY

Current City / State

Oak Grove, KY

Tomb Reflections

Completed 2,000 walks, over 250 guard changes, and several times as a speaker for visiting Honor Flights at their dinners.

Contact Information

Facebook

Units & Campaigns

Operation Enduring Freedom

Awards & Decorations

Combat Infantrymen Badge, Airborne, Air Assault, Tomb Guard Identification Badge (568), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Accommodation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism, National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Expert Marksmen Badge, NATO ISAF Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Service Ribbon

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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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