Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://gographicsoutput.com/video/UGdObQNiSLm.html Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter What It Takes To Guard The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier | Boot Camp | Business Insider [Lfond5hN9H0] Health Updated on August 06, 2026 EDT — Published on August 06, 2026 EDT To become a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Army soldiers must endure a six-to-nine-month training program that 90% of trainees do not complete. The sentinels say they’re constantly chasing a standard of perfection. No one feels that more than 19-year-old Pvt. Joshua Beckman, a tomb guard training to be a sentinel. We met Beckman as he rigorously prepared for the uniform inspection test, one of five tests the trainees must pass to attain the coveted Tomb Guard Identification Badge. With only 735 issued since 1958, it’s the second-rarest badge awarded by the Army behind the Army Astronaut Badge. Chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan spent two days with the soldiers who guard the Tomb to find out what it takes to join the elite unit that prides itself on perfection. This episode from our "Boot Camp" series has been nominated for a 2026 Capital Emmy in the Military Long Form Content Category. 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - History of the Tomb 02:25 - The Lone Female Sentinel 03:53 - Tomb Guard Training Overview 04:48 - Weapons Strength Test 05:40 - Uniform Care 07:40 - Tomb Guard Schedule 08:08 - Walking Technique 08:46 - Beckman Prepares for Uniform Inspection 09:56 - Revoked Tomb Guard Badges 10:15 - Is the Rifle Loaded? 10:37 - Why Tomb Guards Wear Sunglasses 11:11 - Beckman's Story 11:44 - Tomb Guard Height Requirement 12:09 - Beckman's Uniform Inspection Test 14:30 - Test Aftermath 18:15 - Conclusion 18:48 - Credits & Bird Poop Story Editor's note: In an earlier version of the video, we incorrectly identified Capt. Sean Paul Stolarski as a sentinel. His correct title is Commander of the Guard. At the time of filming, he was still in training to become a sentinel. ------------------------------------------------------ #usarmy #armytraining #tomboftheunknownsoldier #arlingtonnationalcemetery #tombguard #TombGuardIdentificationBadge #sentinels #BootCamp MORE BOOT CAMP VIDEOS: How 8,000 New Army Officers Are Trained At Fort Knox Inside The Fort Knox Factory That Makes 60,000 Military Name Tapes Each Month Inside The US Army Drone Innovation Cell 400 Miles From Ukraine Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: Business Insider on Facebook: Business Insider on Instagram: Business Insider on Twitter: Business Insider on Snapchat: Business Insider on TikTok: What It Takes To Guard The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier | Boot Camp | Business Insider tjn5HuEQAuW 3Run6ilUeUY AT51efIuQoA 77D1KuJJaAx Gkkf8cXewbN
To become a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Army soldiers must endure a six-to-nine-month training program that 90% of trainees do not complete. The sentinels say they’re constantly chasing a standard of perfection. No one feels that more than 19-year-old Pvt. Joshua Beckman, a tomb guard training to be a sentinel. We met Beckman as he rigorously prepared for the uniform inspection test, one of five tests the trainees must pass to attain the coveted Tomb Guard Identification Badge. With only 735 issued since 1958, it’s the second-rarest badge awarded by the Army behind the Army Astronaut Badge. Chief video correspondent Graham Flanagan spent two days with the soldiers who guard the Tomb to find out what it takes to join the elite unit that prides itself on perfection. This episode from our "Boot Camp" series has been nominated for a 2026 Capital Emmy in the Military Long Form Content Category. 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - History of the Tomb 02:25 - The Lone Female Sentinel 03:53 - Tomb Guard Training Overview 04:48 - Weapons Strength Test 05:40 - Uniform Care 07:40 - Tomb Guard Schedule 08:08 - Walking Technique 08:46 - Beckman Prepares for Uniform Inspection 09:56 - Revoked Tomb Guard Badges 10:15 - Is the Rifle Loaded? 10:37 - Why Tomb Guards Wear Sunglasses 11:11 - Beckman's Story 11:44 - Tomb Guard Height Requirement 12:09 - Beckman's Uniform Inspection Test 14:30 - Test Aftermath 18:15 - Conclusion 18:48 - Credits & Bird Poop Story Editor's note: In an earlier version of the video, we incorrectly identified Capt. Sean Paul Stolarski as a sentinel. His correct title is Commander of the Guard. At the time of filming, he was still in training to become a sentinel. ------------------------------------------------------ #usarmy #armytraining #tomboftheunknownsoldier #arlingtonnationalcemetery #tombguard #TombGuardIdentificationBadge #sentinels #BootCamp MORE BOOT CAMP VIDEOS: How 8,000 New Army Officers Are Trained At Fort Knox Inside The Fort Knox Factory That Makes 60,000 Military Name Tapes Each Month Inside The US Army Drone Innovation Cell 400 Miles From Ukraine Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: Business Insider on Facebook: Business Insider on Instagram: Business Insider on Twitter: Business Insider on Snapchat: Business Insider on TikTok: What It Takes To Guard The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier | Boot Camp | Business Insider tjn5HuEQAuW 3Run6ilUeUY AT51efIuQoA 77D1KuJJaAx Gkkf8cXewbN