0595
Justin Zimla
Tomb Position
Assistant Relief Commander, Assistant Sergeant of the Guard, Commander of the Relief, SentinelTomb Relief
1stHighest Military Rank
SSGTomb Dates
Apr 2011 - Jul 2014Military Dates
Jul 2010 - Dec 2023Society Membership
MemberHome City / State
Lebanon, MOCurrent City / State
Sterling, VAUnits & Campaigns
Able Company, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment "Black Knights"; 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry DivisionAngel Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Iron Rakkasans)
2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment (Drill Sergeant)
TUS Platoon, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
Awards & Decorations
Meritorious Service MedalArmy Commendation Medal (7th Award)
Army Achievement Medal (5th Award)
Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge (595)
Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
German Troop Proficiency Badge (Gold)
Order of Saint Maurice (Legionnaire)
Support the Society
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 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 Johnson 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.