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Originally Posted by DeltAlum
The soldiers who guard the Unknowns are from the Third US Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard."
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AKA the "Third Herd".
While their role is largely ceremonial, they are still very much an active infantry regiment and perform field exercises. Other units in the Army have a not-so-subtle dig on the Old Guard: "... it's a fine outfit - for the infantry!"
They're also the only unit in the Army that marches with fixed bayonets.
However, the Old Guard (also named "the President's own") is not just the Tomb Guard - they're but one platoon in the 3rd Infantry Regiment. (There's a 3rd Infantry Division ("The Rock of the Marne") but they're not related - the 'Third Herd' is older.) The Old Guard also has a fife and drum corps that dress in Revolutionary War uniforms and a traveling drill team, but most of the soldiers assigned to the Old Guard perform burial details at Arlington and military escorts to the President during ceremonial events.
I recommend also reading the book
Gardens of Stone by Nicholas Proffitt. It's a well-written story about life in the Old Guard during the Vietnam War. It was also made into a movie in 1987, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.