Why do Tomb Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier not wear nameplates?

Cameron Smith — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:21:30 -0400

I've always been intrigued at all of the small nuances of the ASU as well as anything to do with Drill and Cermony. These interests came together at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. However I noticed that Tomb Guards wear the uniform without a nameplate. I've scoured the internet to find an answer for this and have come up empty handed.

Response by Cpl D L Parker made Mar 31 at 2017 12:38 AM

Cpl D L Parker — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:38:52 -0400

If I had to guess-its because the tomb isn't about them. They are "mere" guards your focus should be on the unknowns.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 12:43 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:43:36 -0400

Cameron Smith Not sure about the nameplate, but being a Tomb Guard is probably one of the hardest jobs in the military and also the highest honor to be one of the select few.

http://tombguard.org/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/the-tomb-guard/

The Tomb Guard - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Serving at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Tomb) was a defining period in the lives of Tomb Guards. Although Tomb Guards come from every state in the United States of America (U.S.) and every walk of life, they are forever bonded through their shared experience of service at the Tomb. A strong bond was formed through an extremely demanding and humbling experience.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 12:47 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:47:17 -0400

Cameron Smith not sure but I would assume that since it is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and they are selected to represent Soldiers that they do not wear nameplates as they represent the unknown and everyone else.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 4:30 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 04:30:04 -0400

When I was in, the name plate was optional for certain occasions when wearing the Dress Blues uniform. It depended on how formal the event was. So for certain formals, the LOI would include an instruction as to whether or not name plates were to be worn. It was thought that if you were attending something very formal or serious, or a formal civilian function, I believe, that you wouldn't wear it. So my guess is that they don't wear it due to that, rather than the unknown soldier aspect of it. But that's all a guess on my part, especially since now it's a dress ASU versus the old Dress Blues regs that would apply.

edit: going back even further, I looked at old photos of JFK's funeral, and then none of the old guard soldiers involved in the ceremony wore name plates either.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 31 at 2017 9:08 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 09:08:26 -0400

I don't have an answer, I'm just impressed with the observation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 10:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 10:25:23 -0400

Generally, designated Honor Guards don't wear them. I know the MA National Guard Honor Guards don't either; some of my Infantryman are on ADOS orders doing it, and it threw me off, too.

Response by SFC Mcglen Odom made Mar 31 at 2017 1:29 PM

SFC Mcglen Odom — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:29:05 -0400

Because we don't do the job for recognition. Our job is to respect the Unknowns. All of us are just Tomb Guards. Yes I'm am a Tomb Guard

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 31 at 2017 4:48 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 16:48:48 -0400

Good answers. Besides, The Unknowns don't need a nametag to know who's guarding them.

Response by SPC Randy Clark made Mar 31 at 2017 7:49 PM

SPC Randy Clark — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 19:49:00 -0400

They're unknown soldiers

Response by PO2 Robert M. made Apr 1 at 2017 12:13 PM

PO2 Robert M. — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 12:13:28 -0400

Being that they are a "SPECIAL" assignment, I have noticed a couple difference than a "NORMAL" Army Uniform. Probably because that guarding the Tomb of the UNKNOWN is about respecting the UNKNOWN military personnel in the tombs.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Apr 1 at 2017 12:51 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 12:51:34 -0400

It actually isn't new policy for years esp on formal military events name tags were not worn even on uniform combinations that in most times they would be. Even events such as formal Military balls would be one occasion. Events where bow ties and white shirts would be worn name tags were not. I notice that LTC Matthews and LTC Curlee both also remembered that fact. I can remember also attending events like that first as a Cadet at Bordentown Military Institute, an Army program then later in USAF doing the same thing on not wearing the name tag. Many Honor guards also do not wear the name tag and certainly guarding the Tomb of the unknown soldiers calls for complete formal honor and that is what is given by the guards.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Apr 4 at 2017 5:22 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:22:17 -0400

Very interesting point. I never thought about it before. Guarding the Tomb is a life long commitment.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Apr 4 at 2017 9:53 PM

SFC Don Ward — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 21:53:31 -0400

In the 1980's when I was on a funeral detail, we never wore our name plates when honoring a fallen The story was that we were represenatives of the Army and the Nation, not ourselves.

Response by SSG Kyle Wurtz made Apr 5 at 2017 12:56 PM

SSG Kyle Wurtz — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 12:56:58 -0400

This has been pretty well covered by other responses, I just wanted to give my experience as a ARNG Honor Guard, as SGT Armstrong referenced. The NGB's SOP for funeral honors is derived from the Old Guard. The reason we were given, by the national instructors, for removing nameplates during funeral and casket guard missions is this: We represent the Army, we do not represent ourselves. Everything we do is to honor the deceased, leave the family with a lasting show of respect and gratitude to their loved one, and reflect credit upon the Army as a whole.

As SFC Odom said, it's a job done to honor the fallen, not to honor ourselves. We want the family to see SGT, US Army, not SGT Wurtz of the KYARNG.

SFC Odom and SPC Selga, I admire and respect the two of you for your service at the Tomb.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made May 9 at 2017 3:06 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:06:26 -0400

Common sense on that one! It is the TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN, so the soldiers who guard the tomb are unknown as well. Just ask anyone of them I bet that is the answer. Unknown soldiers guarding the unknown dead.

Response by PO1 Duane Mosier made Jun 25 at 2018 7:34 PM

PO1 Duane Mosier — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 19:34:19 -0400

I was at the tomb in 2010 with the BSA on our way to the National Scout Jamboree. I was in awe as well in tears. Our fallen deserve every bit of respect these Guards are proud to show.

Response by SGT Darryl Leake made Jun 26 at 2018 5:01 AM

SGT Darryl Leake — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 05:01:46 -0400

Since no name tags or rank for the unknowns, why medals and badges.

Response by PO2 Kenneth Hale made Jun 27 at 2018 11:29 AM

PO2 Kenneth Hale — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 11:29:15 -0400

Honor and respect of the highest order.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 19 at 2020 2:43 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 14:43:22 -0500

Tomb of the unknowns, think on it for a moment...…... and the lack of name tags will dawn like the sun on a cold crisp morning.