Joey L Spangler

Tomb Position

Assistant Relief Commander, Sentinel

Tomb Relief

3rd

Highest Military Rank

Sergeant

Tomb Dates

Sep 1979 - Apr 1981

Military Dates

Jan 1977 - Apr 1987

Society Membership

Lifetime Member

Home City / State

Wheaton, MD

Current City / State

Frederick, MD

Units & Campaigns

2nd (Casket) Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Company E (Honor Guard), 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia
VII Corps, ADP Service Center, DPI M111, Stuttgart, Germany
Data Processing Directorate, U.S. Army Management Systems Support Agency, Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia

Awards & Decorations

Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award)
Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award)
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/ Numeral "2"
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge

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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 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:

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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