St. Joseph native working to earn Tomb Guard badge
Apr. 26—A St. Joseph native and member of the military was recently selected to serve as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and he's working to earn a badge that is considered one of the most challenging in the Army.
"I want to get my Tomb Guard badge, which is like the end goal as a job," said Josh Habeeb with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).
Since 1937, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded every minute of every day. When members of the 3rd Infantry in Fort Myer, Virginia, become ceremonially qualified, they are eligible to volunteer for duty as Sentinels at the Tomb.
"Everything is very deliberate with what we do. Our state is supposed to be perfection, so it's definitely something we work on a ton," Habeeb said.
Undergoing a strict selection process, including an interview, a two-week trial and memorizing pages of guidelines and history, Habeeb has worked hard to achieve this guard role.
Before Habeeb decided to join the army in October 2021, his mother, Kim Kempf, said that he has always been determined to accomplish anything he set his mind to, and while his decision to join the military was concerning at first, his perseverance assured her.
"This is just another step in his journey. He really likes to challenge himself, and he wants to do the best he can. So, I'm really super proud of him," Kempf said.
Habeeb said that he does get some nerves performing, but it's nothing that he can't handle.
"As long as you're not messing up too big and it's just very small things that only guards would notice, not the public," Habeeb said.
Habeeb is not one to give up, and with each step that he takes, it's done in honor and respect.
"It's not something that you can give half to. It has to be total and wholehearted for sure," he said.
