Why don't Old Guard Soldiers wear sleeve rank, but only NCO's do?

2017-05-24T07:58:10-04:00

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 24 at 2017 8:27 AM

2017-05-24T08:27:07-04:00

There is an answer for this, PV2 Private RallyPoint Member, and I'll get it for you.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 24 at 2017 9:44 AM

2017-05-24T09:44:25-04:00

I think the answer you're looking for is in here:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/why-do-tomb-guards-at-the-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-not-wear-nameplates

cc: LTC Stephen C.

Why do Tomb Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier not wear nameplates? | RallyPoint

I've always been intrigued at all of the small nuances of the ASU as well as anything to do with Drill and Cermony. These interests came together at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. However I noticed that Tomb Guards wear the uniform without a nameplate. I've scoured the internet to find an answer for this and have come up empty handed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 12:07 AM

2017-05-25T00:07:06-04:00

Because it's a pain in the ass to have to cut off and sew on rank all the time and it makes the wool uniforms look like shit. They get faded unevenly. You also can't have your uniforms at the seamstress for 2 weeks, the optempo is too high. That and it's fairly common for lower enlisted in TOG to swap blouses with the high optempo. Things happen. Takes a simple problem out of the equation.

Response by SGT Danny Miles made Jan 23 at 2018 3:42 PM

2018-01-23T15:42:52-05:00

No junior enlisted rank because we don't want to outrank the "unknowns". Also, since we don't know the name of the unknowns, no name tag. I was in the Old Guard 1975-1979.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2018 10:07 AM

2018-06-24T10:07:54-04:00

I agree with SSG McMahon.
If you're promoted during your time with The Old Guard, and you've had your rank sewn to the sleeves of the uniform for a while it's going to have uneven fading. Not to mention that the needle holes will show the outline of your previous rank under the new ones on the sleeves if you don't replace the jacket with a new one.
All in all it's not too hard to see why everybody who is in The Old Guard, and below the rank of E-5 "is a 'Private E-1'".
Those dress blues are just way too much $$$$ to be replaced even time something happens especially if you're not a N.C.O. yet.

Response by 1SG Rick Seekman made Jun 26 at 2018 9:25 AM

2018-06-26T09:25:23-04:00

SSG McMahon, it must be tough going through life living with assumptions and gut feelings. Your clueless!

Response by CSM David Draughn made Jun 26 at 2018 10:14 AM

2018-06-26T10:14:25-04:00

Please clarify your question.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 9:55 PM

2018-06-27T21:55:06-04:00

They do not receive an allotment for uniform replacement? In that duty it should be a foregone conclusion. You are representing the lost unknown heroes. We have funding to represent that. If it is not allowed I am disgusted. They don’t drink or swear for life. Tell me another job that requires that?

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made Mar 11 at 2020 3:12 PM

2020-03-11T15:12:26-04:00

Let’s start with the bands, why the special uniforms ?

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Dec 1 at 2021 7:28 PM

2021-12-01T19:28:11-05:00

Probably only applies to the First BN. We had the second BN in the 199th, and they wore the same uniforms as everyone else, except for their tricorn hats. LOL