SHGTUS Programs

Community Presentation

The heart and soul of our programs is our free Community Presentation. Upon request, the Society will attempt to schedule a former Tomb Guard to make a presentation and answer questions relating to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, each of the Unknown Soldiers buried on the east plaza of the Memorial Amphitheater, the Sentinels that stand the eternal vigil, and the Society.

This is a perfect opportunity for schools, civic organizations, fraternities and sororities, and businesses to introduce their organizations to this most sacred shrine. When requesting a presentation, please consider planning for a 1 hour presentation which will include time for questions and answers. These can be in person or virtually upon request.

In lieu of scheduling a Community Presentation, the Society produced a video for public viewing.

Tomb Guard Assistance Program

Request

The Society provides the following services to current and former Tomb Guards:

Direct assistance to the current Tomb Guard platoon.
Transition mentoring program for current Tomb Guards transitioning from active duty to the civilian workplace.
Provides Bereavement services and assistance to surviving family members upon the death of a Tomb Guard.
- It is recommended that all Tomb Guards download the SHGTUS Bereavement Services questionnaire and send it in to the Bereavement Director to keep on file, regardless of membership.

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.

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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.

Programs