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{{Short description|Formal military ceremony}}
{{Redirect|Changing of the guards|the song by Bob Dylan|Changing of the Guards}}
{{Other uses|Changing of the Guard (disambiguation){{!}}Changing of the Guard}}
[[File:20190416 Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall guard change-13.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|A guard mounting ceremony at [[Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]]]]
'''Guard mounting''', '''changing the guard''', or the '''changing of the guard''', is a formal [[ceremony]] in which [[wikt:sentry|sentries]] performing ceremonial guard duties at important institutions are relieved by a new batch of sentries. The ceremonies are often elaborate and precisely choreographed. They originated with peacetime and battlefield military drills introduced to enhance unit cohesion and effectiveness in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
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==Guard mounting by country==

=== Argentina ===
Guard mounting ceremonies are held on Saturdays by the grounds of the [[Plaza de Mayo]] fronting the [[Casa Rosada]] by the [[Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers]]. Beginning in May 2024 - with the first edition also serving as the opening salvo to a month of celebrations of the 1810 May Revolution, a larger public ceremony is held there every first Saturday of the month by platoons of this regiment, the [[Regiment of Patricians]] and the 1st Artillery Regiment.

===Armenia===
Since September 2018, the [[President's Residence, Yerevan|President's Residence in Yerevan]] has had ceremonial sentries from the [[Honour Guard Battalion (Armenia)|Honour Guard Battalion of the Ministry of Defense]] perform [[public duties]] at a pair of [[sentry box]]es at the front of the residence. They are posted and relieved in a brief guard mounting ceremony, which includes an [[exhibition drill]] of all five guards (the incoming guards, the outgoing guards, and the guard commander). The guard mounting ceremony is held every Saturday and Sunday in the afternoon and evening.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2019/03/30/Presidential-Palace-to-offer-Change-of-Guard-ceremony-for-visitors/2093810|title=Presidential Palace to offer Change of Guard ceremony for visitors|first=Helix Consulting|last=LLC|website=www.panorama.am}}</ref>

===Barbados===
In Barbados, the Changing of the Sentry is an event that takes place in front of the 1804 Main Guard or Clock Tower. The guardsmen from the [[Barbados Defence Force]] are known today as The Main Guard. The sentries are drawn from members of the Barbados Legion, other retired personnel, and the [[Barbados Regiment]]. During the ceremony, a [[Corps of Drums]] from the [[Barbados Defence Force Band]] provide musical accompaniment. It is performed every Thursday morning.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://blog.sugarbaybarbados.com/barbadian-traditions-changing-of-the-sentry/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200726143928/https://blog.sugarbaybarbados.com/barbadian-traditions-changing-of-the-sentry/| archive-date = 2020-07-26| title = Barbadian Traditions: Changing Of The Sentry {{!}} Sugar Bay Barbados}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://barbados.org/blog/changing-of-the-sentry-in-barbados/#.XiroIB5ME0P| title = Changing of the Sentry in Barbados - Barbados.org BlogBarbados.org Blog| date = 13 April 2012}}</ref>

===Belarus===
[[File:Pioneers at the Victory Square.jpg|thumb|[[Pioneer movement|Pioneers]] and students mount the guard of honour at [[Victory Square, Minsk|Victory Square]] in [[Minsk]]]]
In [[Minsk]], Post #1 at [[Victory Square, Minsk|Victory Square]] is the area where guard duty is carried out by members of the armed forces, including soldiers of the [[Honor Guard of the Armed Forces of Belarus|Honor Guard of the Armed Forces]] and cadets of the [[Military Academy of Belarus]]. Other organizations that also support guard duties at the square includes members of the [[Belarusian Republican Youth Union]], the [[Border Guard Service Institute of Belarus]], and students of general education schools and vocational schools of the city of Minsk. Post #1 was initiated on 3 July 1984, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Minsk.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.vk.com/post1minsk|title=ПОСТ №1 г.Минска|website=m.vk.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lyceum1.minsk.edu.by/main.aspx?guid=23983|title=Пост №1 - Лицей №1 г. Минска|website=lyceum1.minsk.edu.by}}</ref>

It consists of 26 students (17 boys and 9 girls) organized in the following way: the head of the guard of honor, the assistant to the head of the guard of honor, 4 guards (boys), 8 boys in the first four-shift, 8 girls, 1-3 boys sentries at the banner, on-duty signalman (girl). The guard of honor served at Post No. 1 for one week from 9.00 to 17.00 in the cold and from 9.00 to 18.00 in the warm time of the day. The duration of each shift is 10 to 20 minutes.  The only breaks in maintaining the honorary were from 15 May to 1 November 1988, from 1 June to 20 November 2003, and from 1 December 2003 to 20 April 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sch60.minsk.edu.by/ru/main.aspx?guid=53461|title=Из истории Поста №1 города-героя Минска © СШ 60}}</ref>

===Bulgaria===
[[File:President of Bulgaria, Residence, Guard change 001.JPG|thumb|Members of the [[National Guards Unit of Bulgaria]] during a guard mounting ceremony.]]
The ceremony of the changing of the [[guard of honour]] in front of the presidency has taken place at 12:00 noon every day since November 5, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guards-bg.com/index.php/ceremonial-changing-of-the-guard|title=Тържествена смяна на караула|website=Национална гвардейска част}}</ref> It also takes place at the [[Monument to the Unknown Soldier, Sofia|Monument to the Unknown Soldier]] in [[Sofia]]. The [[National Guards Unit of Bulgaria]] is the sole participant in this ceremony.

===Canada===
[[File:Changing of the Guard (21586923326).jpg|thumb|Changing of the Guard ceremony held at [[Parliament Hill]], 2015]]
[[Public duties]] in [[Ottawa]], Canada's national capital, is formally the responsibility of two regiments of [[foot guards]], the [[Canadian Grenadier Guards]], and the [[Governor General's Foot Guards]]; with one of their main tasks being the provision of sentries for guard mountings for official state functions in support of the Government of Canada in Ottawa.<ref name=cggoff>{{cite web|url=http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/cdn-grenadier-guard/index.page|title=Canadian Grenadier Guards|publisher=Government of Canada|website=army-armee.forces.gc.ca|date=11 March 2019|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217101751/http://army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/cdn-grenadier-guard/index.page|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=ggfgoff>{{cite web|url=http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/ggfg/index.page|title=Governor General's Foot Guards|publisher=Government of Canada|website=army-armee.forces.gc.ca|date=11 March 2019|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=20 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520121834/http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/ggfg/index.page|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

The Canadian Army also operates a summer public duties detachment known as the [[Ceremonial Guard (Canada)|Ceremonial Guard]], which assumes public duties in Ottawa from late-June to late-August.<ref name=CGbac>{{cite web|url=http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/news-publications/national-news-details-no-menu.page?doc=the-ceremonial-guard-backgrounder/jwmfywcz|title=The Ceremonial Guard - Backgrounder|date=June 2019|access-date=6 September 2019|publisher=Government of Canada|website=army-armee.forces.gc.ca}}</ref> The Ceremonial Guard is made up of [[Regular Force|regulars]] or [[Primary Reserve|reservists]] of the Canadian Army, although its membership is also augmented by regulars and reservists of the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]], and the [[Royal Canadian Navy]].<ref name=cgoff>{{cite web|url=http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/ceremonial-guard/index.page|title=Ceremonial Guard of the Canadian Armed Forces|publisher=Government of Canada|website=army-armee.forces.gc.ca|date=4 July 2019|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725182753/http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/ceremonial-guard/index.page|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Ceremonial Guard mount the guard at the [[National War Memorial (Canada)|National War Memorial]], Rideau Hall, and Parliament Hill.<ref name=CGbac/> Members of the Ceremonial Guard wear the uniforms of the Canadian foot guards, as they have historically staffed the summer public duties detachment, before membership in the Ceremonial Guard was opened to the entire Canadian Armed Forces.<ref name=cgoff/> The Ceremonial Guard are considered an ''ad hoc'' detachment, as its members are drawn from various units of the armed forces, and does not constitute a permanent unit in the Canadian Forces' [[order of battle]].

The Canadian Armed Forces also maintains a National Sentry Program, where its members perform guard mountings for its sentries at the National War Memorial from early-April to 10 November, the day before [[Remembrance Day]].<ref name=nspoff>{{cite web|url=http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news/article.page?doc=standing-on-guard-the-national-sentry-program-officially-launched-for-2015-in-ottawa/ib2ct6im|title=Standing on guard:National Sentry Program official launched in 2015 in Ottawa|publisher=Government of Canada|website=army-armee.forces.gc.ca|date=18 June 2015|access-date=6 September 2019|last=Coulter|first=Alycia}}</ref> The program formally falls under the command structure of the Ceremonial Guard, although its volunteers may wear the full dress uniform of their respective units/service.
[[File:Changement de sentinelles - 03.jpg|thumb|left|A sentry of the [[Royal 22nd Regiment]] in the process of being relieved by his replacement, at the [[Citadelle of Quebec]]]]
Guard mountings are also carried out at the [[Citadelle of Quebec]] in [[Quebec City]], a military installation, and secondary residence of the Monarch and Governor General.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1449772/6-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-van-doos/|title=6 things you may not know about the Van Doos|publisher=Corus Entertainment Inc.|date=14 July 2014|access-date=6 September 2019|first=Amanda|last=Kelly|work=Global News}}</ref> The [[Royal 22nd Regiment]] mounts the guard at the Citadelle from late-June to [[Labour Day]] (the first Monday of September).<ref name=r22roff>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacitadelle.qc.ca/en/activities/changing-of-the-guard.html|title=Quebec's only Changing of the Guard ceremony|publisher=Musée Royal 22e Régiment|year=2017|access-date=6 September 2019|website=lacitadelle.qc.ca}}</ref> The regiment has carried out guard mountings at the Citadelle since 1928, excluding a brief hiatus from 1939 to 1945, due to the [[Second World War]].<ref name=r22roff/> Guard mountings have also been performed in other Canadian cities outside Ottawa and Quebec City, with guard mountings having been performed at various provincial capitals, typically at the legislature, or the official residences of the [[Lieutenant governor (Canada)|lieutenant governors]].  However, public duties in Ottawa and Quebec are the only regularly scheduled guard mountings in the country.

Several non-military organizations also perform reenactments of past and historical guard mountings ceremonies in [[New Brunswick]], and at [[Citadel Hill (Fort George)|Citadel Hill]] in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wanderingeducators.com/best/traveling/explore-new-brunswick-frederictons-changing-guard.html|title = Explore New Brunswick: Fredericton's Changing of the Guard|date = 27 June 2017}}</ref>

===Chile===
[[File:Relevo de la guardia en La Moneda.jpg|thumb|A guard mounting ceremony at [[Palacio de La Moneda (Chile)|Palacio de La Moneda]].]]
The changing of the guard ceremony is conducted every odd-numbered day, including Sundays, at [[La Moneda Palace]] in [[Santiago, Chile]] with the [[Carabineros de Chile]]'s Presidential Guard Group providing the guard, the changing of the guard has been taking place since 1851. A pair of mounted units lead the [[National Band of the Carabineros|Central Band]], Drums and Bugles of the Carabineros and the new guard, to the plaza in front of La Moneda where the departing detachment meets them. While patriotic and popular music is played, the colour guard emerges and salutes are exchanged between the old and new guards at the main gate and by the officers of each unit. The ceremony ends with the band, drums and bugles marching off with the old guard.

The ceremony is an important tourist attraction that takes place in the [[Plaza de la Constitución (Santiago de Chile)|Plaza de la Constitución]] on alternate days at 10 a.m. However, when there are events in the Plaza de la Constitución, the ceremony is moved to the south façade of the Palacio de la Moneda to the [[Plaza de la Ciudadanía]].

===China===
The changing of the guard in [[Beijing]], the capital of the [[People's Republic of China]], may refer to three different ceremonies of the [[People's Liberation Army]] on [[Tiananmen Square]]. The first is a traditional changing of the guard consisting of two incoming soldiers, two outgoing soldiers and a commander from the [[People's Armed Police Honour Guard Battalion]], with the incoming and outgoing soldiers saluting the flagpole before taking up their posts beside it. The other changing of the guard is the raising of the [[Flag of China]] on the square every morning, which since 2018, has been manned by personnel from the [[Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion]] who took over duties from the PAP, which itself had performed the ceremony since 1982 until that point.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2126341/dawn-new-era-changing-guard-beijings-sunrise-flag|title=Changing of the guard for Beijing's dawn flag-raising service|date=January 2018}}</ref>

Another changing of the guard ceremony takes place at the [[Mausoleum of Mao Zedong]], which contains the preserved body of [[Mao Zedong]], at the southern end of Tianamen Square, right exactly where the [[Gate of China, Beijing|Gate of China]] once stood. The Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion also performs this ceremony.

At [[Xinhuamen]] the ceremonial changing of guards is performed by the [[Central Guard Regiment]]. Two members of the Central Guard Regiment ceremonial personnel, armed with ceremonial rifles, guarding the gate. The ceremony occurs every 2 hours.

===Cuba===
[[File:Santiago de Cuba - Garde au Mausolée José Marti.JPG|thumb|[[Ceremonial Unit of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces]] on their way to relieve guards at the Mausoleum of José Marti.]]
Soldiers of the [[Ceremonial Unit of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces]] guard the Mausoleum of José Marti in [[Santiago de Cuba]]. The guard is changed every half-hour, and is signaled by clock tower bells similar to how [[Soviet]] guards at the [[Lenin mausoleum]] used the bells of the [[Spasskaya Tower]] Clock. Patriotic music is played while the next batch of guards march to relive the previous detachment. The music is usually played from audio speakers located around the mausoleum instead of by a live band.

===Czech Republic===
Every day at noon the guard of [[Prague Castle]] (seat of the [[President of the Czech Republic]]) is changed. The [[Prague Castle Guard]] is the unit that provides the sentries for the ceremony.

===Denmark===
[[File:Copenhagen, Denmark (9297283744).jpg|thumb|Danish [[Royal Life Guards (Denmark)|Royal Life Guard]] during a changing of the guard ceremony]]
At [[Amalienborg Palace]], the royal residence in [[Copenhagen]], the Royal Guard, mounted by the [[Den Kongelige Livgarde|Kongelige Livgarde]], is on duty for 24 hours, and the relief takes place every day at noon. The parade starts off from the barracks by [[Rosenborg Castle]].
There are three types of guard changes. A ''kongevagt'' (King's Watch) is when the monarch is in residence, and is accompanied by the [[Royal Life Guards Music Band (Denmark)|Royal Guards music band]]. A ''løjtnantsvagt'' (Lieutenant Watch) is when [[Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark|Prince Henrik]] was residing at the palace or [[Frederik X|Crown Prince Frederik]] or [[Prince Joachim of Denmark|Prince Joachim]] are residing at Amalienborg in the capacity of regents. The ''Løjtnantsvagt''  is accompanied by the Corps of Drums of the Royal Life Guards. A ''palævagt''' (Manor Watch) is when the Crown Prince or Prince Joachim are in residence but not in the capacity of regents or the Palace is uninhabited. A palævagt march through Copenhagen is undertaken without music accompaniment.

===Ghana===
The changing of the guard at [[Jubilee House]] (formerly Flagstaff House) takes place every month, with personnel of the different branches of the [[Ghana Armed Forces]] taking part quarterly (every 3 months). The ceremony started on May 5, 2013, originating from the changing of the [[Queens Guard]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] in [[London]]. Differences in the two ceremonies include a drill demonstration by the new and old guards, as well as the attendance of the [[President of Ghana|Ghanaian president]] at the ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-ghana-navy-takes-over-guard-duties-at-jubilee-house.html|title=Ghana Navy takes over guard duties at Jubilee House|website=Graphic Online}}</ref>

===Greece===
[[File:EVZONES GROUP.JPG|thumb|Greek [[Presidential Guard (Greece)|Presidential Guard]] during the Changing of the Guard at the Greek [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Athens)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]]]]
In the state capital, [[Athens]], members of the [[Presidential Guard (Greece)|Presidential Guard]] provide a 24-hour honour guard, with an hourly guard change, at the Presidential Mansion and at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Athens)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]], off [[Syntagma Square]] at the foot of the [[Hellenic Parliament]]. The Changing the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in particular, has become a tourist attraction, with many people watching the guards, who stand motionless for two 20-minute intervals during their 1-hour shifts.

Every Sunday at 11:00 a ceremonial change of guards takes place. A parade of [[Evzones]] and a military band starts from the barracks of the Evzones (just behind the Parliament Building) and through [[Vasilissis Sofias Avenue]], and reaches the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where a ceremonial change of guards takes place. On this occasion, all the three official uniforms of the Evzones can be seen. Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Amalias Avenue are briefly closed to traffic for the ceremony from about 10:55 to 11:05 on Sunday mornings.

===Hungary===
[[File:Hungary-02370 - Changing the Guard (32572978096).jpg|thumb|Changing of the guard at the [[Hungarian Parliament Building]].]]
The Honour Guard of the [[Hungarian Defence Forces]], the [[32nd Budapest Guard and Ceremonial Regiment]] has provided sentries for the [[Sándor Palace, Budapest|Sándor Palace]] in [[Budapest]] since the disestablishment of the [[Hungarian People's Republic]] in 1989. This is done at the gates of the palace, due to its status as the [[official residence]] of the [[President of Hungary]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wheretostayinbudapest.com/changing-guard-sandor-palace-budapest/|title = Sandor Palace and the Changing of the Guard in Budapest - Where to Stay in Budapest}}</ref> The ceremony was initiated in 2003 when President [[Ferenc Mádl]] moved into the palace. The sentries come at noon in a team of six, although only two of them will actually take up the guard. A drummer and officer are also present.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://budacastlebudapest.com/changing-of-the-guards-at-the-buda-castle/|title = Changing of the Guards in the Buda Castle|date = 12 May 2012}}</ref> Another guard changing ceremony is held inside the Domed Hall of the [[Hungarian Parliament Building]] on [[Kossuth Square]], where guards protect the [[Holy Crown of Hungary]]. At both ceremonies, an [[exhibition drill]] is performed during the mounting of the guard at noon, with the latter having musical accompaniment.

Public duties by the regiment are also provided by a four-man team at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Millennium Monument on [[Hősök tere]] (Heroes Square). The 7015th Ceremonial Regiment of the [[Hungarian People's Army]] also conduct public duties at the tomb.

===Indonesia===
[[File:Merdeka Palace Changing Guard 2.jpg|thumb|Changing of the guard ceremony at [[Merdeka Palace]] in Indonesia]]
Since the leadership of president [[Joko Widodo]], the changing of the guard ceremony at [[Merdeka Palace]] has been performed by the elite presidential force of Indonesia known as [[Paspampres]]. It has been open to the public since 17 July 2016. Initially it was held on the Sunday of the second week of each month in front of the palace yard; since 28 August 2016 it is held on the last Sunday of the month. The ceremony commences at 7 am and is open to public and tourist viewing. Group A of Paspampres, which guards the president and the palace, is responsible for this ceremony.

===India===
{{see also|Beating Retreat#India}}
A ceremonial changing of the guard is held at the [[President of India]]'s official place of residence, the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhavan]]. The ceremony is generally held every Saturday at 08:00 am (Summer), 10:00 am (Winter). The old and new guard consists of a troop from the [[President's Bodyguard (India)|President's Body Guard]] and a company drawn from either one of the battalions from the [[Brigade of the Guards]] or one of the other regiments of the Indian Army if assigned for palace security duties. A military band is also present to provide accompaniment.
[[File:Indian President`s Bodyguard marching at Rashtrapati Bhavan.jpg|thumb|left|The [[President's Bodyguard (India)|President's Bodyguard]] during a changing of the guard ceremony at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhavan]], the official residence of the [[President of India]]]]
When the New Guard is formed up between the Dominion columns of the [[North Block]], sentries are nominated and the respective guards are inspected by their officers as the band plays '[[Samman Guard|Sammaan Guard]]' (The Honour Guard). The men of the President's Bodyguard consist of the old warrior classes of the Rajputs, Sikhs and the Jats. Recruitment standards are strict and the minimum height of each soldier is six feet (1.83 m).

After the inspection is over, a formal march takes place into the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan with the band playing "Sher-E-Jawan" (Tiger of a soldier), The New Guard forms up along with the Old Guard to await the formal order of "Salami Shastra" (Present Arms) by the latter to the former, signifying readiness for the change-over. Accompanied by the tune "Robinson", a key is handed over between the [[Junior Commissioned Officer]]s of the Old and New Guard. This symbolizes the exchange of responsibilities between commanders.

Sentries of the Old Guard rejoin and the Junior Commissioned Officers return to their posts. The Old Guard marches off to the tune "[[Saare Jahan Se Achcha]]" (Better than any nation). Compliments are paid by the New Guard which has assumed charge and the balance of the New Guard marches off along with the band playing "Amar Jawan" (Immortal Soldier), and the troopers march off following the new guard.

===Italy===
On the occasions of the [[Flag Day|Festival of the Tricolour]] on January 7, the [[anniversary of the unification of Italy]] on March 17 and the [[Festa della Repubblica|Italian Republic Day]] on June 2, the Changing of the Guard at the [[Quirinal Palace]] is performed in its solemn form by the [[Corazzieri|Corazzieri Regiment]] and by the mounted band of the [[Carabinieri]] 4th Cavalry Regiment, with the guards wearing their ceremonial dress uniforms and riding horses.
[[File:Changing of the Guard - Corazzieri 2022 (4).jpg|thumb|Mounted [[Corazzieri]] during a guard mounting ceremony.]]
Every other day the Changing of the Guard takes place at the same hour, 18:00 during the summer and 16:00 for the rest of the year, and involves a military band from every service branch of the Italian Armed Forces and/or the State Police and other services (Vigili del Fuoco, Red Cross, and Prisons Police) only if the [[President of Italy|President]] is in the [[Quirinal Palace|Palace]]. The incoming unit marches into the internal courtyard in front of the outgoing unit, which [[Present arms (command)|presents arms]] and later again with the new guard to the tune of [[Il Canto degli Italiani]]. Then the sentinels of the outgoing unit surrender their posts to the sentinels of the incoming unit, and then the incoming unit [[Present arms (command)|presents arms]] as the outgoing unit marches out with an NCO or Warrant officer leading the old and new guard sentinels.

Similar protocols are followed every hour by the honour guards stationed at the gates of the seats of the [[Palazzo Montecitorio|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[Palazzo Madama, Rome|Senate]], at the [[tomb of the unknown soldier]] at the [[Altare della Patria]], and at the gates of the [[Quirinal Palace]]. In these cases, a [[sub-officer]] leads the incoming unit in front of the standing guards, and leads the outgoing unit after they have surrendered their posts. Units forming for the regular mounting in various parts of Rome come from, aside from servicemen from the Carabineri, various units of the Italian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Financial Guard, and even the Italian State Police, and their respective bands provide the musical accompaniment to the Quirinal Palace ceremony.

===Jamaica===
[[The Jamaica Regiment]] is responsible for the [[Jamaica Defence Force]]s changing of the guard at [[National Heroes Park]] in the capital of [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]]. The guard consists of two sentries at the entrance to the park, both of which are accompanied by a relief commander during the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/jamaica/uncommon-attraction-changing-the-guard-at-national-heroes-park-jamaica/|title = Uncommon Caribbean - Changing the Guard at National Heroes Park, Jamaica: Uncommon Attraction| date=11 April 2022 }}</ref> A changing of the guard ceremony at the police headquarters is also held by female personnel of the [[Jamaica Constabulary Force]] and the [[Jamaica Constabulary Force Band|JCF Band]].

===Kazakhstan===
The [[Aibyn Regiment|Aibyn Presidential Regiment]] of the [[State Security Service of Kazakhstan]] have taken part in the changing of the guard ceremony in the [[Ak Orda Presidential Palace]] since 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kazakhstan.news-city.info/docs/sistemse/dok_iegalo/page13.htm|title=Об утверждении общевоинских уставов вооруженных сил, других войск|website=kazakhstan.news-city.info}}</ref>

===Kyrgyzstan===
[[File:Changing the Guard, Bishkek.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[National Guard (Kyrgyzstan)|National Guard of Kyrgyzstan]] during the changing the guard ceremony in [[Bishkek]].]]
Soldiers of the honour guard company of the [[National Guard (Kyrgyzstan)|National Guard of Kyrgyzstan]] guard the central flagpole on [[Ala-Too Square]] in the capital of [[Bishkek]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000398921/|title = Cheers to Bishkek}}</ref> They have changed guard every hour since 1998.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} A similar ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on [[Victory Square, Bishkek|Victory Square]].

===Latvia===
The guards of the Honour Guard Company of the [[Latvian National Armed Forces Staff Battalion|Staff Battalion]] of the [[Military of Latvia|National Armed Forces]] change every hour between 9:00&nbsp;a.m. and 6:00&nbsp;p.m. every day at the [[Freedom Monument]]. Aside from the two guard sentries, an additional two watchmen stand nearby to look out for their security.<ref name="Latvijas Enciklopēdija">{{in lang|lv}} "Latvijas Enciklopēdija" (I sējums) Rīga 2002 SIA "Valērija Belokoņa izdevniecība" {{ISBN|9984-9482-1-8}}</ref>

===Malaysia===
The Changing of the Guard takes place in front of the [[Istana Negara, Jalan Duta]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]] daily at 12 o'clock, with the 1st Battalion, [[Royal Malay Regiment]] of the [[Malaysian Army]] providing the guard alongside the Mounted Ceremonial Squadron of the [[Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps]]. Every month, a larger ceremony is held outside the palace's main gate modeled on the ceremony in London, wherein the [[Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment]] plays appropriate music as the battalion's guard duty detachment is changed from each of the companies that make up the battalion.

===Moldova===
[[File:Change of guards at the Military Glory Memorial (5813358941).jpg|thumb|The Moldovan [[Honor Guard Company (Moldova)|Honour Guard Company]] guard mounting ceremony at the [[Eternity Memorial Complex, Chișinău|Eternity Memorial Complex]].]]
The changing of the guards ceremony is performed by four members of the [[Honor Guard Company (Moldova)|Honour Guard Company of the Moldovan National Army]] at the [[Eternity Memorial Complex, Chișinău|Eternity Memorial Complex]] in [[Chișinău]].

===Monaco===
The Changing the Guard takes place in front of the [[Prince's Palace of Monaco|Prince's Palace]] daily at 11:55. It is performed by the [[Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/cbcafb1db7fd6ca0c1256f8f00348d7egb?OpenDocument&Count=10000&InfoChap=%20Government&InfoSujet=Prince%E2%80%99s%20Company%20of%20Carabiniers&4Gb |title=Archived copy |website=www.gouv.mc |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115232749/http://www.gouv.mc/devwww/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/cbcafb1db7fd6ca0c1256f8f00348d7egb?OpenDocument&Count=10000&InfoChap=%20Government&InfoSujet=Prince%E2%80%99s%20Company%20of%20Carabiniers&4Gb |archive-date=15 November 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Norway===
[[File:Changing of the guard (HMKG, Royal Guards) at Akershus fortress, Oslo, Norway. Winter uniforms. 2017-11-30 c.jpg|thumb|Members of the [[Hans Majestet Kongens Garde]] prepare to relieve guardsmen at [[Akershus festning|Akershus Fortress]].]]
In the state capital, [[Oslo]], [[Hans Majestet Kongens Garde|His Majesty the King's Guard]] keeps the [[Royal Palace in Oslo|Royal Palace]] and the Royal Family guarded for 24 hours a day. Every day at 1330 hrs, there is a Change of Guards outside the Palace. The ceremony consists of two parts and lasts for about 40 minutes. Otherwise{{clarify|date=August 2019}}, the guards work in shifts of two hours. The Guards are also stationed at [[Akershus festning|Akershus Fortress]], where the Change of Guards also takes place at 1330 hrs. They also guard the residence of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and their own camp, [[Huseby Leir|Gardeleiren]], outside Oslo.

The two last of these duties are considered "green watches": the guards wear battle uniform, an olive and green uniform featuring a short jacket, shirt and tie and the guard's unique forage cap. The famous parade uniform dating from 1860, which consists of a wide-brimmed hat with black plume, dark blue tunic and trousers with white stripes, is worn on the more prestigious palace and fortress watches. Usually, during the summer, there are Guard Parades, where the New Guard marches from Akershus Fortress accompanied by a band, through Oslo's parade street to Karl Johan's Gate.

His Majesty the King's Guard consists of male conscripts who are undertaking their compulsory military service but also includes women who volunteer to join the Guards. His Majesty the King's Guard is organized as a battalion, with a Lieutenant Colonel as chief. The battalion has seven companies. Each company consists of about 200 guards, and has its own field of specialization.

===Peru===
[[File:Peru Guard Change 24.jpg|thumb|Commanding officers of two guard detachments meet during a formal guard mounting ceremony at [[Government Palace, Peru]].]]
The Changing of the Guard is a major tourist attraction at the [[Government Palace (Peru)|Government Palace]]. It is a daily event that takes place at noon. On the first and third Sundays of the month the [[Mariscal Domingo Nieto Cavalry Regiment Escort]] conducts a formal mounted Changing of the Guard ceremony in the presence of the [[President of Peru]], while on other days, the Changing of the Guard is performed unmounted. Since 2007, participation in the ceremony has been opened to all of the Armed Forces and the National Police, represented by their historical and ceremonial honour guard units.

===Poland===
The changing of the guard by the 1st Guards Battalion [[Representative Honor Guard Regiment of the Polish Armed Forces|Representative Honour Guard Regiment of the Polish Armed Forces]] takes place at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Warsaw)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw]] 24/7 for 365 days a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://preprwp.wp.mil.pl/pl/pages/historia-2018-04-17-t/|title=Pułk Reprezentacyjny Wojska Polskiego - Historia|website=preprwp.wp.mil.pl}}</ref> The guard unit for the mounting is from each of the three honour guard companies that make up the battalion.

===Portugal===
[[File:Render da Guarda no Palacio de Belem 18.JPG|thumb|[[Portuguese National Republican Guard]]smen during a guard mounting ceremony outside [[Belém Palace]].]]
The [[Portuguese National Republican Guard|National Republican Guard]] carries out a changing of the guard ceremony at the [[Belém Palace]], official residence of the [[President of Portugal|Portuguese President]], on the third Sunday of each month at 11:00 am. The ceremony includes a performance by the cavalry musicians of the GNR's "Charanga a Cavalo", which claims to be the only mounted band in the world which performs at the [[Horse gallop|gallop]].{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

===Romania===
The [[Michael the Brave 30th Guards Brigade]] changes the guard every hour at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Romania)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]] in the capital. In [[Alba Iulia]], the guard is changed at noon every weekend at the Citadel Alba-Carolina. This particular guard unit is notable for its 18th-century uniform, derived from the [[Habsburg monarchy]] and complete with musket and wig.

===Russia===
[[File:Moscow Changing of the Guard.webm|thumb|Changing the Guard ceremony performed by the [[Kremlin Regiment]] at the Russian [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Moscow)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]].]]
The [[Kremlin Regiment]] (''Kremlyovskiy polk'') of the [[Federal Protective Service (Russia)|Federal Protective Service]] provides the guard at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Moscow)|Tomb of the Unknown soldier]] in [[Moscow]]. During the day the guard is changed every hour. During the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] period the ceremony (known in [[Russian language|Russian]] as the ''Смена караула'', ''Smena karaula'') was carried out by what was then a [[KGB]] guard detachment at the [[Lenin Mausoleum]]. However, by decree of [[President of Russia|President of the Russian Federation]] [[Boris Yeltsin]] the guard has now been relocated to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the [[Alexander Garden]]. 

Starting in 2004 a Guard Mounting ceremony has been held by the [[Cavalry]] Squadron of the Kremlin Regiment on [[Cathedral Square, Moscow|Cathedral Square]] every Sunday from March to October. Since April 2016, the guard changing ceremony was the first to be live-streamed online.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rCehtzkjjw | title=- YouTube | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>

At the [[Mamayev Kurgan]] Memorial Complex in [[Volgograd]], the [[Volgograd Honour Guard|46th Separate Honour Guard Company]] mounts the guard from 9 am to 8 pm, with the changing of the guard being performed hourly in a special slow march [[goosestep]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mamayevkurgan.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/hall-of-military-glory-volgograd-russia/|title=An honour guard is provided by soldiers of the 46th Infantry Company of the Volgograd Garrison from 9:00 am to 7:00 or 8:00 pm, with an hourly changing of the guard ceremony. |date=29 October 2012 |access-date=2018-06-24}}</ref>

===San Marino===
The [[Guardia di Rocca]] conduct a Changing the Guard ceremony at the [[Palazzo Pubblico (San Marino)|Palazzo Pubblico]] from April to September every half-hour from 8:30am to 6:30pm.<ref>{{cite book|page=420|last=Chiappini|first=Vinnie|title=Let's Go Italy|year=2007|publisher=Macmillan|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

===Singapore===
In Singapore, the ceremony is performed at the main entrance of [[the Istana]], the official residence of the [[President of Singapore]]. Held on the first Sunday of each month, the ceremony begins behind The Heeren, a [[shopping mall]] at [[Orchard Road]], where [[military police]]men from the Silent Precision Drill Squad of the [[SAF Military Police Command|Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command]] (SAFMPC) leads the contingent of new guards in a march down the road towards the Istana, with the [[Singapore Armed Forces Bands]] providing music and beats.

Upon arrival at the gates of the Istana, the actual change of guard ceremony takes place, after which the Silent Precision Drill Squad performs their precision drill routines with the accompaniment of music provided by the band. The old guard then marches off together with the band to Handy Road, where the entire procedure ends.

The COG was first performed by servicemen from the [[Guards (Singapore Army)|Guards]] formation before it was being handed over to the SAFMPC on 4 May 1980. The Silent Precision Drill Squad was added to the ceremony in 1987. The COG begins at 6:00pm. The new guards begin their march at 5:45pm, and the old guards end their march by around 6:30pm.

===South Korea===
[[File:Changing of the Guard at Gyeongbokgung, Seoul-01.jpg|thumb|Traditional Guard Unit of the [[Republic of Korea Army|South Korean Army]] re-enact guard mounting ceremonies that were observed during the [[Joseon Dynasty]].]]
In South Korea, re-enactments of Guard changing ceremonies are held daily except on Tuesdays, at [[Deoksugung]] palace and [[Gyeongbokgung]] palace. It is a re-enactment of a traditional Guard changing ceremony, which was observed during the [[Joseon Dynasty]].

The unit providing the guard is from the Traditional Guard Unit of the 3rd Infantry Division, [[Republic of Korea Army]].

===Spain===
[[File:Cambio de guardia en el Palacio Real de Madrid (16475571271).jpg|thumb|A [[Spanish Royal Guard]]sman in the process of being relieved by his replacement at the [[Royal Palace of Madrid]].]]
In Spain there is a guard mounting ceremony at the [[Royal Palace of Madrid]] on the first Wednesday every month from 12 midday to 2:00 pm (except during July, August, and September), weather permitting, as long as it does not coincide with another official event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esmadrid.com/en/royal-guard-madrid |title= EsMADRID.com - Changing of the Royal Guard|website=www.esmadrid.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219162214/http://www.esmadrid.com/en/royal-guard-madrid |archive-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref> The unit mounting the guard is provided by the [[Spanish Royal Guard]]'s Honours Group. The ceremony has taken place every the first Wednesday of every month since it was introduced on 23 November 1994, with the Royal House deciding in December 2007 to reformat the ceremony and open it to public viewing, similarly to the militaries of the [[United Kingdom]] or [[Denmark]].

Aside from this, the [[1st King's Immemorial Infantry Regiment of AHQ]] does Guard Mounting Ceremonies on weekdays at noon at the Buenavista Palace in Madrid, the headquarters of the [[Spanish Army]], and is also open to the public. The unit providing the guard is the regiment's Honour Guard Battalion "Old Guard of Castille", accompanied by the Regimental Band and the Corps of Drums, and it is done per the military regulations of King Charles III and their respective drum and fife calls. The Honour Battalion's Fusilier and Grenadier companies wear the late 18th-century regulation uniforms and carry period muskets from that era, and the drill is from those same regulations mentioned above.

===Sri Lanka===
The Changing the Guard at the [[President's House, Colombo|President's House]] occurs daily, conducted by the President's Ceremonial Guard Company of the [[Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police]], while other services of the [[Sri Lankan Armed Forces]] perform occasional mounting duties.

===Sweden===
[[File:Stockholm Sweden Changing-of-the-guard-at-Stockholm-Palace-01.jpg|thumb|The Changing the Guard at [[Stockholm Palace]] is performed by the Swedish [[Royal Guards (Sweden)|Royal Guards]].]]
The Changing of the guard at [[Stockholm Palace]], the official residence of the [[Monarchy of Sweden|King and Queen of Sweden]], occurs daily in its outer courtyard. The [[Royal Guards (Sweden)|Swedish Royal Guard]] unit of the [[Life Guards (Sweden)|Life Guard]]s Regiment provide the guard unit for most of the year, while other services of the [[Swedish Armed Forces]] perform occasional mounting duties as may be requested.

===Taiwan (Republic of China)===
In the [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan), the changing of the guard ceremony is conducted at three locations in [[Taipei]], namely the [[Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall|National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall]], the [[Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall]], and the [[National Martyrs' Shrine]], where the ceremonial guards are rotated by the hour during the opening hours of the three memorials. Servicemen from the honour guard detachments of the [[Republic of China Armed Forces]] provide the guard details in these locations alternating each day.

===Thailand===
A Changing of the guard ceremony takes place at Bangkok's Grand Palace every day with soldiers from the 1st Infantry Regiment King's Own Bodyguards of the Royal Security Command. Unlike in other countries the duty guard wear pith helmets without plumes for the ceremony.

===Turkey===
[[File:Turkey 114528258245.jpg|thumb|Changing of the guard at [[Anıtkabir]]]]
A Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at [[Anıtkabir]] in [[Ankara]]. Anıtkabir contains the tomb of [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk]], the founder of modern Turkey.

===Turkmenistan===
A Changing of the Guard ceremony is conducted by the [[Independent Honor Guard Battalion of the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan]] based out of [[Ashgabat]]. It takes place at the [[Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque]], [[National Museum of Turkmenistan]] and the [[Independence Monument, Ashgabat|Independence Monument in Ashgabat]] and involves 6 guardsmen and a relief commander.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uSUdJ5yKvBY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/uSUdJ5yKvBY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 05 - Changing of the Guards|last=tepfair|date=15 November 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2009/nov/01/turkmenistan-after-niyazov#img-1|title=A statue of Turkmenistan's eccentric leader and President, Saparmurat Niyazov, is guarded by soldiers at the country's independence memorial in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in 2003. |newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 2009 |access-date=June 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fG9zk5Y3MugC&q=Turkmen+National+Guard&pg=PA100 |title = Turkmenistan|isbn = 9781841621449|last1 = Brummell|first1 = Paul|year = 2005| publisher=Bradt Travel Guides }}</ref>

===Ukraine===
On a daily basis, soldiers of the [[Special Honor Guard Battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine]] take part in the ceremonial of the guard changing and [[Flag of Ukraine|flag raising]] ceremony near the [[Verkhovna Rada building]] on the Constitution Square.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://ngu.gov.ua/ua/news/nova-tradyciya-ceremonialy-pochesnoyi-varty-nacionalnoyi-gvardiyi-ukrayiny-pid-stinamy-verhovnoyi| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200302052148/http://ngu.gov.ua/ua/news/nova-tradyciya-ceremonialy-pochesnoyi-varty-nacionalnoyi-gvardiyi-ukrayiny-pid-stinamy-verhovnoyi| archive-date = 2020-03-02| title = Нова традиція: церемоніали Почесної варти Національної гвардії України під стінами Верховної Ради у вихідні та святкові дні {{!}} НГУ}}</ref> Honor guards from the battalion are posted at the building from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends and holidays. In the winter, the guard will change every hour; and in the summer; every two hours. On 1 March 2020, the first ceremony was held to commemorate this new tradition.<ref>[https://rada.gov.ua/news/Povidomlennya/189882.html Церемоніал вшанування державних символів біля будівлі Верховної Ради України]. Прес-служба Апарату Верховної Ради України</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2020/03/1/7242172/| title =                                                         {{!}}                 }}</ref> They are posted at the side of the building where four National Guard officers were killed on 31 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://zaxid.net/natsgvardiya_shhovihidnih_nestime_bilya_verhovnoyi_radi_pochesnu_vartu_z_pidnyattyam_prapora_n1498542| title = Нацгвардія нестиме біля Верховної Ради почесну варту з підняттям прапора - ZAXID.NET| date = March 2020}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
{{see also|Beating Retreat|Trooping the Colour|King's Guard}}
[[File:Towersentries.JPG|thumb|A sentry from the [[King's Colour Squadron]] of the Royal Air Force prepares to relieve a [[Coldstream Guard]]sman at the [[Tower of London]]]]
The [[King's Guard]] (called Queen's Guard when the reigning monarch is female) are the names given to the fully operational [[infantry]] and [[cavalry]] contingents of soldiers charged with guarding [[List of British Royal Residences|royal residences]] in the [[London District (British Army)|London District]] and [[Edinburgh]]. As a result, Guards are mounted at [[Buckingham Palace]], [[St James's Palace]], the [[Tower of London]], [[Windsor Castle]] and the [[Palace of Holyroodhouse]]. The [[British Army]]'s [[Household Division]], which consists of the [[Foot Guards]] and the [[Household Cavalry]] are normally responsible for mounting the King's Guard.

The original King's Guard predating the [[English Restoration]] consisted of the [[Troops of Horse Guards]] and [[Foot Guards]], which have since evolved and from the reign of [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] have been responsible for guarding the Sovereign's palaces. The ceremony originally took place at the [[Palace of Whitehall]] until 1689, when it was moved to [[St James's Palace]]. After [[Queen Victoria]] moved into [[Buckingham Palace]] in 1837, The Queen's Guard remained at St James's Palace, while a detachment was moved to the new residence.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.householddivision.org.uk/changing-the-guard-origins| title = Origins - Changing the Guard - Ceremonial Events - The Household Division - Official site}}</ref>

Outside the Foot Guards, the [[King's Colour Squadron]] of the [[RAF]], the [[Brigade of Gurkhas]] and the [[Royal Marines]] also periodically mount the guard. In November 2017, the [[Royal Navy]] mounted the guard for the first time in since its establishment with a company-sized detachment formed of volunteers from 45 ships and shore establishments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/november/24/171124-royal-navy-declared-ready-to-mount-historic-first-public-duties|title=Royal Navy declared ready to mount historic first public duties|date=24 November 2017|website=Royal Navy}}</ref> for two weeks, the first time that the Royal Navy had formed the Queen's Guard in its own right (rather than being represented by the Royal Marines).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/november/17/171117-a-first-time-honour-for-the-royal-navy |title=A first time honour for the Royal Navy |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=17 November 2017 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=18 November 2017 }}</ref> The first foreign troops to mount a King or Queen's Guard were members of the [[117th (Eastern Townships) Battalion, CEF|117th (Eastern Townships) Battalion]] of the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force|CEF]] in 1916, with [[Canada]] having since mounted the most guards out of any foreign country since then. In 2000, the [[Australia's Federation Guard|Australian Federation Guard]] performed public duties in London while being led by the first ever female guard commander in history.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/814637.stm Women and Skippy guard Buckingham Palace] BBC News, 1 July 2000</ref> In 2008, the 1st Battalion, [[Royal Malay Regiment]] became the first country where the British Sovereign is not [[head of state]] to mount the guard.<ref>[http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/FirstMuslimBattalionGuardsTheQueen.htm First Muslim Battalion Guards the Queen] MOD Website, 2 May 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506081232/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/FirstMuslimBattalionGuardsTheQueen.htm |date=6 May 2008 }}</ref>

===United States===
[[File:NATO Permanent Representatives lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery (23755808194).jpg|thumb|In the United States, the Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington National Cemetery)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]], which has a permanent guard.]]
A permanent guard is mounted at the [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington)|Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]] at [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in [[Arlington, Virginia]], near [[Washington, D.C.]] This is performed by a single member of the [[3rd United States Infantry Regiment (TOG)|3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment]]. There is a meticulous routine which the Tomb Guard follows during a {{convert|63|ft|m|1}} march when watching over the Tomb.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120032256/http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/ChangingofTheGuard.aspx |archive-date=2013-01-20 |url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/ChangingofTheGuard.aspx |title=The Changing of the Guard |location=Arlington, Virginia |publisher=[[Arlington National Cemetery]] |access-date=2013-01-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Guard:

# Marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb.
# Turns, faces east for 21 seconds.
# Turns and faces north for 21 seconds.
# Takes 21 steps down the mat.
# Repeats the routine until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard.

After each turn, the Guard executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place their [[M14 rifle]] on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the Guard stands between the Tomb and any possible threat.  Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed—the [[21-gun salute]].

Each turn the guard makes is precise and is instantly followed by a loud click of the heels as he snaps them together.  A guard has been on duty at the site continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since July 2, 1937.  The watch has been maintained even in cases of inclement weather or terrorist attack.
[[File:Changing of the guard at Arlington Cem.jpg|left|thumb|Guard changes are conducted in accordance to the Army's regulation, requiring a relief commander, and the oncoming guard in order for the guard change to take place.]]
During the day in summer months from April 1 to September 30, the guard is changed every half-hour. During the winter months, from October 1 to March 31, the guard is changed every hour. After the cemetery closes to the public (7 p.m. to 8 a.m. April through September, and 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. October through March), the guard is changed every 2 hours. The ceremony can be witnessed by the public whenever [[Arlington National Cemetery]] is open.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#How%20often%20are%20the%20guards%20changed?
|title=Frequently Asked Questions
|publisher=Society of the Honor Guard – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
|access-date=2007-09-23
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928035751/http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#How%20often%20are%20the%20guards%20changed?
|archive-date=2007-09-28
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/visiting.htm
|title=Visiting Arlington National Cemetery |publisher=Arlington National Cemetery
|access-date=2007-09-23}}</ref>

The guard change is very symbolic, but also conducted in accordance with Army regulations. The relief commander or assistant relief commander, along with the oncoming guard, are both required for a guard change to take place. The relief commander orders the guard being relieved to "pass on your orders" to the oncoming guard.  The guard being relieved will say to the oncoming guard, "Post and orders, remain as directed." The oncoming guard's response is always, "Orders acknowledged."  During changes when the public is witnessing the ceremony, the commander will inform the public that the ceremony is about to take place and that those in attendance should remain "silent and standing" throughout the entire event.

While the guards are all members of the United States Army, the soldier "walking the mat" does not wear his or her rank insignia, so as not to outrank the Unknowns, whatever their ranks may have been. Non-commissioned officers (usually the Relief Commander and Assistant Relief Commanders) do wear the insignia of their rank when changing the guard only. They have a separate uniform (without rank) that is worn when they actually guard the Unknowns or are "Posted".

The tomb guards have often been replicated by other organizations all over the country. Professional units such as the [[Chicago Police Department|Chicago Police Department (CPD) Honor Guard]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cpdmemorial.org/all-upcoming-events/2019/4/29/24-hour-honor-guard-vigil| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190820215952/https://www.cpdmemorial.org/all-upcoming-events/2019/4/29/24-hour-honor-guard-vigil| archive-date = 2019-08-20| title = 24 Hour Honor Guard Vigil —}}</ref> and the [[Tulsa]] [[Civil Air Patrol]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.news9.com/story/18632890/floral-haven-honors-vets-with-changing-of-the-guard-reenactment?clienttype=printable| title = Tulsa's Floral Haven Honors Vets With 'Changing Of The Guard' Reenactment}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.news9.com/story/38288200/floral-haven-funeral-home-holds-annual-avenue-of-flags-in-broken-arrow| title = Floral Haven Funeral Home Holds Annual 'Avenue Of Flags' In Broken Arrow}}</ref> have a tradition of mounting a ceremonial guard similar to the tomb guards in Arlington. The [[Humble High School]] [[JROTC]] program has since 2007 reenacted the changing of the guard during its Veteran's Day ceremony with cadets enrolled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docklinemagazine.com/kingwood/humble-high-school-salutes-veterans-veterans-day-salute/|title=Humble High School Salutes Veterans in Veterans Day Salute - Dock Line Magazine |date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/humble/news/article/Humble-High-shows-reverence-at-Salute-to-Veterans-10612974.php|title=Humble High shows reverence at Salute to Veterans event |first1=Melanie |last1=Feuk |date=November 14, 2016|website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc13.com/2628406/|title=Humble HS honors veterans during ceremony |first1=Jeff |last1=Ehling |date=November 10, 2017|website=ABC13 Houston |access-date=August 20, 2019}}</ref>

===Vietnam===
The Changing of the Guards in [[Hanoi]], Vietnam takes place at the [[Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum]] which is guarded by the special guard of honor battalion of the [[Ministry of Defense (Vietnam)|Ministry of Defense]] of Vietnam. It is one of two such formations in the [[People's Army of Vietnam]]. The mausoleum contains the preserved body of [[Ho Chi Minh]] and is at the north end of Hanoi's [[Ba Đình Square]], exactly on the spot where he read the [[Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam]] on September 2, 1945. Unlike its Chinese counterpart, guard of honour battalion's area of responsibility (AOR) is limited to Hanoi, particularly to the area around Ba Đình Square. The battalion is a public duties unit. Personnel assigned to the guard wear a white full-dress uniform with a peaked cap and gold belt buckle.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|n=no|q=no|s=no|author=no|b=no|v=no}}
*[http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/ceremonial-guard/performances.page Changing the Guard in Ottawa, Canada]
*[http://presidentofindia.nic.in/ceremonical_func.html Changing the Guard at Rashtrapati Bhavan, India]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040726033156/http://www.army.mod.uk/ceremonialandheritage/household/queens_guard.htm Changing the Guard, United Kingdom]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180502034639/http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/unknowns/0_unknowns_sentinels.html Guarding in Arlington, United States]
*[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b56p4ZCWMu4 Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace &ndash; 1979]
*[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1oZD4m-BNGQ Tulsa Changing of the Guard]

[[Category:Military traditions]]
[[Category:Daily events]]
[[Category:State ritual and ceremonies]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Military ceremonies]]