Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge is a military badge of the United States Army which honors those select few soldiers who have been chosen to serve as the Honor Guard to the Tomb of the Unknowns. It is the second-least awarded badge in the Army, after the Astronaut Badge.
The decoration was first created in 1957 and was issued to Tomb of the Unknown Guards during their tenure as Honor Guard members. In 1963, a regulation was enacted which allowed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge to be worn as a permanent part of a military uniform, even after completion of duty at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
The bestowing authority of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge is the Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry. For a service member to receive the decoration, a cumulative total nine months must be served as a Tomb of the Unknowns Honor Guard and a recommendation must be obtained from the Commanding Officer of the Honor Guard Company.
Those receiving the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge are also issued a Guard Identification Lapel Pin, for civilian wear. Tradition claims that a former Honor Guard member must never swear, steal, or drink for the rest of their lives lest they relinquish the right to wear the lapel pin. There is, however, no Army regulation or Federal code which requires this stipulation. The badge can be revoked if a guard disgraces himself, and as of early 2002, there have been 9 such instances.