A U.S. Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and members of his entourage Nov. 11 after some in the group were heard laughing and talking near the memorial.
The incident happened after a Veterans Day ceremony at the cemetery, where President Donald Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb.
Hegseth, his wife and several aides posed for photographs in front of the memorial. Members of the group could be heard laughing as they walked away, when a sentinel stopped his patrol and reminded them of the site's strict expectations for visitors.
The incident brought attention to the strict protocols that govern the Tomb and the soldiers responsible for enforcing them.
What did the sentinel say to Hegseth?
As Hegseth
and his entourage walked away from the Tomb after posing for photographs, some members of the group could be heard laughing and talking. A sentinel stopped his patrol, turned toward the group and loudly reminded them of the expectations for visitors at the memorial.
"All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!" the soldier shouted.
It was not immediately clear which members of the group were laughing. The group included Hegseth, his chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, senior adviser Tami Radabaugh and Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Hegseth.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell defended the sentinel's interaction, saying the soldier had appropriately reminded the group to maintain decorum.
"While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum," Parnell said in a statement.
What is a sentinel?
A sentinel is a soldier assigned to stand guard over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery honoring unidentified American service members who died in war.
The sentinels belong to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard. Based at nearby Fort Myer, Virginia, the regiment is the Army's oldest active infantry unit and has been responsible for guarding the Tomb since 1948.
The assignment is considered one of the military's most prestigious ceremonial duties. Soldiers volunteer for the position and must go through a rigorous selection process and specialized training before earning the right to serve as a Tomb Guard.
What do sentinels do?
The most visible part of a sentinel's job is the constant patrol in front of the Tomb.
A sentinel marches 21 steps down a black mat in front of the memorial, turns and faces east for 21 seconds, then turns and faces north for another 21 seconds. The soldier then marches another 21 steps before repeating the routine.
The number 21 represents the 21-gun salute, the highest military honor that can be bestowed.
Sentinels stand watch in all weather conditions, day and night, throughout the year. Their primary responsibility is to protect the Tomb and ensure visitors treat the memorial with respect.
That includes enforcing rules about silence and appropriate behavior. Visitors are expected to maintain a respectful atmosphere while paying their respects.
The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is a sentinel, and what did he say to Pete Hegseth?
