Footage from PBS NewsHour
Video Title: Watch Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery in 4K

How do the Elite Tomb Guard Sentiles Perform the changing of the guard?

The Relief commander will walk out to the tomb, salute, face the spectators, announcing the maneuver and then conduct a white glove inspection of the new sentinels weapon as well as their uniform. They will then relieve the on duty sentinel, all meeting in the center of the black mat, saluting the unknown soldiers who all symbolically receive the medal of honor.

The relief commander then states, “pass on your orders”, causing the current sentinel to state “Post and orders, remain as directed”. The new sentinel will then reply “Orders acknowledged” and they’ll step onto the mat and the relief commander and previous sentinel will leave.

The new sentinel will then walk at a pace of exactly 90 steps per minute marching exactly 21 steps down the black mat, then turning, east, then north for 21 seconds each, then taking a further 21 steps down the mat and repeating this process until relieved.

The significance of 21 is that it symbolizes the 21 gun salute, the military's highest honor. The sentinel will then execute a “Shoulder-arms” placing the rifle on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify they stand in the way of them and the tomb.

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