How do I join the Society?

The Society is not a military organization. We are an organization of volunteers, with prerequisites for membership, operating in a democratic manner. Moreover, we are not a "party society." We exist for the prioritized purposes as stated below. First and foremost, is our humble reverence for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier....

It is not within our powers to change history, only to continue one very important facet of our lives. To do so we have attempted to keep a broad prospective and act in the greater interest of all Tomb Guards, past, present and future.

As outlined in Article III of the Society Bylaws, membership in the Society of The Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, shall be voluntary and open to all eligible applicants regardless of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.

To become a member of the Society you MUST fit into one of the following categories:

Active Sentinel Members: Any Soldier who has been awarded the Tomb Guard Badge, AND is currently assigned to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, E Company, 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard).

Regular Tomb Guard Members: All individuals who honorably served as a Tomb Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at any time since the interment of the World War I Unknown Soldier. This category includes:

  1. Individuals who have been officially awarded the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge under the provisions of AR 672-5-1 without any subsequent official actions for its withdrawal.
  2. Individuals who can document that they served honorably for 9 months, (subsequent to February 1, 1958) as a Tomb Guard, but were never officially awarded the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge (AR 672-5-1, Chapter 5-43, Para. b.)
  3. Individuals who can document that they served honorably as a Tomb Guard, prior to Department of the Army approval of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge, February 1, 1958.
  4. Those individuals who served honorably in the Tomb Guard Platoon but did not complete a full tour because of:

* An involuntary official transfer by permanent change of station orders.
* An honorable separation from active duty service.
* A medical condition.

Legacy Members: Those individuals who are heirs of deceased Tomb Guard Platoon Members.

Associate Members Any individual whose life and activities have fostered Tomb Guard ideals.

Affiliate Members: Corporations, organizations and individuals whose affiliation with the Tomb Guard will support and enhance the Society of The Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

New Membership Application* or Membership Renewal Application*

( *These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free download )

PHILOSOPHY, PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES

Philosophy:

  1. The Society is a non-profit association organized expressly for and wholly committed to protecting and enhancing the image and welfare of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (alternate reference as Tomb Guards) past and present.
  2. The first responsibility of the Society is to accomplish on behalf of its membership in both public and private sectors.
  3. To satisfy the specific demands of this profound responsibility, the Society provides a vehicle for information exchange, a meeting place for ideas and a liaison between all membership classifications to achieve common objectives.
  4. The Society, through the strength of its numbers and voluntary interaction of the membership, makes possible the education, historical records keeping, recognition of achievements, and other programs essential to the furtherance of the stature and character of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Purposes:

  1. To honor the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  2. To recognize those soldiers of the Honor Guard who distinguished themselves by their exemplary service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  3. To protect, uphold, preserve and keep safe from exploitation, the dignity and honor of the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge.
  4. To maintain and conduct an organization that will further develop the camaraderie and common bond existing among those who served with the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and their families.
  5. To preserve and maintain records, publish the history and authenticate the achievements of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  6. To educate the citizenry of the United States of America and perpetuate the memory of the past and present Tomb Guard.
  7. To maintain close liaison with the Tomb Guard Platoon, Arlington National Cemetery and the 3d U. S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Fort Myer, Virginia.
  8. To support the soldiers actively serving in the Tomb Guard.
  9. To cooperate with The Old Guard Association.

Objectives:

  1. To promote and encourage the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  2. To give proper consideration and expression of opinion upon questions and issues affecting the membership of the Society.
  3. To promote cooperation with other related organizations.
  4. To hold and participate in meetings for purposes of education.
  5. To develop and maintain media relations.
  6. To create educational opportunities on behalf of Society members and their family.
  7. To do anything necessary and proper for the accomplishment of the objectives herein set forth.

New Membership Application* or Membership Renewal Application*

( *These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free download )

Main Index

Please send any feedback about the site to the Webmaster

Copyright © 2003 Society of the Honor Guard - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All rights reserved.