Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is being guarded by all female soldiers for first time

The remains of the men inside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were under the care of an all-female contingent of Tomb Guards on Friday, marking a “historic first” for the sacred site.

The Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was the location of an all-woman shift change, a “trail blazing” event in the eyes of the US Army.

The female troops were part of the Third US Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard.

“We commemorate the achievements of these trail-blazing Tomb Guards. While this historic event may be a first, it is not the last. With diversity in our ranks, race, gender, or any characteristics will never hinder, but only enhance the execution of our sacred mission,” The Old Guard said in a statement on social media. “As we recognize this monumental day, we reflect on the Unknowns and their ultimate sacrifice. The world will never know their names. Their life’s poetry was silenced in the defense of this great nation. We will never forget their sacrifice, and we will never falter as our standard will remain perfection.”

The positions opened up to women when the US military lifted restrictions on females in combat MOSs.

On a recent Autumn morning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in @ArlingtonNatl, history was made. For the first time in the 84-year vigil, on the 30770th day of continuous guarding, an all-female guard change occurred with the 38th Sergeant of the Guard.#Tomb100 pic.twitter.com/JndxF9VVuK

— The Old Guard (@USArmyOldGuard) October 1, 2021

According to WUSA9, Sergeant First Class Chelsea Porterfield oversaw the changing of the guard.

Technically, the event was not as “historic” as the media made it out to be- in 1994, a Military Policewoman by the name of Sergeant Heather Lynn Johnsen was the first woman to guard the tomb, as her MP Company had been attached to the 3rd Infantry Regiment.

This was the first time the in the 84-year continuous guarding of the tomb it was guarded by all females at once.

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