Tomb Guard Myth Series
6 months ago
The Society has launched a new video campaign addressing the many myths and questions Tomb Guards hear. Please check out Tomb Guard Myth Series #1
Latest News
U.S. Navy Veteran, Thomas Spivey, Passes Away
Posted November 30, 2022With a heavy heart, we inform you of the passing of a U.S. Navy Veteran, Thomas Spivey, on August 19, 2022. Petty Officer Third Class Tom Spivey was an 18-year-old fireman with a place in history as...
World War I History Podcast Released
Posted November 6, 2022 in Society SpotlightPlease take a moment and check out this podcast from the MacArthur Memorial where they talked with former 1st Relief Commander and Society President Gavin McIlvenna (1997-98) about the World War I...
Never Forget Garden Dedication - MT. Olivet Cemetery, MD
Posted November 1, 2022 in CentennialOn October 29, at the invitation of the Carrollton Manor Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Richard Azzaro (Co-Founder of SHGTUS) and Charles “Cochise”...
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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.
