Society Staff

Board of Directors

President - Brian Gougler
Vice President - Scott J. Sengenberger
Secretary - Andrew Rath
Treasurer - Larry W. Seaton
Past-President - Jeffery Stitzel
Director - Carnell Nettles
Director - Adam Nemon
Director - Joseph Hull
Director - Michael Edgar
Director - Andy Carr
Current Platoon Member, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Special and Committee Appointments

Honorary Sergeant of the Guard - George Haupt (1954-1955)
Legal Counsel - Marla Diaz
Chaplain & Bereavement - Amy McIlvenna
Public Affairs Officer - Joseph Hull
Public Affairs (Social Media) - Daniel Yeadon
Quartermaster - Dave Hathaway
Fundraising - Brian Gougler
Reunion - Larry Seaton
Administrative Assistant - Lynn Giddings
Website Administration - Pam Tish
Membership Chair - Scott J. Sengenberger
Tomb Guard Assistance Program - Andy Carr
Education and Outreach - Cathy Lowe
Scholarships - Carnell Nettles
Newsletter Editor - Jasmine Diaz
History Chair - Larry Seaton
Commemorative Chair - Joseph Hull
Commemorative Events Coordinator - Gavin McIlvenna

Special Projects

TUS100 - Richard Azzaro
TG100 - Joseph Hull
National Salute - Richard Azzaro
Journey Home - Richard Azzaro
Never Forget Garden - Richard Azzaro
- Co-Director - Marilyn Wellen, American Rose Society

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.