Editing Guard mounting (section)

===United States===
[[File:NATO Permanent Representatives lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery (23755808194).jpg|thumb|In the United States, the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington National Cemetery)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]], which has a permanent guard.]]
A permanent guard is mounted at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]] at [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in [[Arlington, Virginia]], near [[Washington, D.C.]] This is performed by a single member of the [[3rd United States Infantry Regiment (TOG)|3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment]]. There is a meticulous routine which the Tomb Guard follows during a {{convert|63|ft|m|1}} march when watching over the Tomb.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120032256/http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/ChangingofTheGuard.aspx |archive-date=2013-01-20 |url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/ChangingofTheGuard.aspx |title=The Changing of the Guard |location=Arlington, Virginia |publisher=[[Arlington National Cemetery]] |access-date=2013-01-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Guard:

# Marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb.
# Turns, faces east for 21 seconds.
# Turns and faces north for 21 seconds.
# Takes 21 steps down the mat.
# Repeats the routine until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard.

After each turn, the Guard executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place their [[M14 rifle]] on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the Guard stands between the Tomb and any possible threat.  Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed—the [[21-gun salute]].

Each turn the guard makes is precise and is instantly followed by a loud click of the heels as he snaps them together.  A guard has been on duty at the site continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since July 2, 1937.  The watch has been maintained even in cases of inclement weather or terrorist attack.
[[File:Changing of the guard at Arlington Cem.jpg|left|thumb|Guard changes are conducted in accordance to the Army's regulation, requiring a relief commander, and the oncoming guard in order for the guard change to take place.]]
During the day in summer months from April 1 to September 30, the guard is changed every half-hour. During the winter months, from October 1 to March 31, the guard is changed every hour. After the cemetery closes to the public (7 p.m. to 8 a.m. April through September, and 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. October through March), the guard is changed every 2 hours. The ceremony can be witnessed by the public whenever [[Arlington National Cemetery]] is open.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#How%20often%20are%20the%20guards%20changed?
|title=Frequently Asked Questions
|publisher=Society of the Honor Guard – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
|access-date=2007-09-23
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928035751/http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#How%20often%20are%20the%20guards%20changed?
|archive-date=2007-09-28
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/visiting.htm
|title=Visiting Arlington National Cemetery |publisher=Arlington National Cemetery
|access-date=2007-09-23}}</ref>

The guard change is very symbolic, but also conducted in accordance with Army regulations. The relief commander or assistant relief commander, along with the oncoming guard, are both required for a guard change to take place. The relief commander orders the guard being relieved to "pass on your orders" to the oncoming guard.  The guard being relieved will say to the oncoming guard, "Post and orders, remain as directed." The oncoming guard's response is always, "Orders acknowledged."  During changes when the public is witnessing the ceremony, the commander will inform the public that the ceremony is about to take place and that those in attendance should remain "silent and standing" throughout the entire event.

While the guards are all members of the United States Army, the soldier "walking the mat" does not wear his or her rank insignia, so as not to outrank the Unknowns, whatever their ranks may have been. Non-commissioned officers (usually the Relief Commander and Assistant Relief Commanders) do wear the insignia of their rank when changing the guard only. They have a separate uniform (without rank) that is worn when they actually guard the Unknowns or are "Posted".

The tomb guards have often been replicated by other organizations all over the country. Professional units such as the [[Chicago Police Department|Chicago Police Department (CPD) Honor Guard]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cpdmemorial.org/all-upcoming-events/2019/4/29/24-hour-honor-guard-vigil| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190820215952/https://www.cpdmemorial.org/all-upcoming-events/2019/4/29/24-hour-honor-guard-vigil| archive-date = 2019-08-20| title = 24 Hour Honor Guard Vigil —}}</ref> and the [[Tulsa]] [[Civil Air Patrol]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.news9.com/story/18632890/floral-haven-honors-vets-with-changing-of-the-guard-reenactment?clienttype=printable| title = Tulsa's Floral Haven Honors Vets With 'Changing Of The Guard' Reenactment}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.news9.com/story/38288200/floral-haven-funeral-home-holds-annual-avenue-of-flags-in-broken-arrow| title = Floral Haven Funeral Home Holds Annual 'Avenue Of Flags' In Broken Arrow}}</ref> have a tradition of mounting a ceremonial guard similar to the tomb guards in Arlington. The [[Humble High School]] [[JROTC]] program has since 2007 reenacted the changing of the guard during its Veteran's Day ceremony with cadets enrolled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docklinemagazine.com/kingwood/humble-high-school-salutes-veterans-veterans-day-salute/|title=Humble High School Salutes Veterans in Veterans Day Salute - Dock Line Magazine |date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/humble/news/article/Humble-High-shows-reverence-at-Salute-to-Veterans-10612974.php|title=Humble High shows reverence at Salute to Veterans event |first1=Melanie |last1=Feuk |date=November 14, 2016|website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc13.com/2628406/|title=Humble HS honors veterans during ceremony |first1=Jeff |last1=Ehling |date=November 10, 2017|website=ABC13 Houston |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>