Sgt. Kaylee Johnston wanted to join the Army when she was in middle school, but she worried about her parents’ reaction. Growing up, she was captivated by stories of courage and heroism, particularly in war films; however, she decided to attend college instead. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she was sent home from school, she decided it was her chance to join. When she told her parents, “They were very shocked,” she said. “They had no idea I had been thinking about the military since middle school. But they were super supportive.”
Within five years of joining the Army, Johnston found herself guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. During her guard duties, she wears a unique and distinctive badge on her uniform: a military police (MP) officer’s badge. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard”, is an infantry unit, allowing for only two MPs to serve as Tomb Guards at a time. When Johnston first joined the regiment as an MP and learned about the opportunity to become a Tomb Guard, she immediately wanted to apply. “It gave me chills,” she said. “I thought I couldn't do anything more honorable.”
Johnston served for years as an MP. She had to wait to become a Tomb Guard, however, since two MPs were already serving as Tomb Guards. Additionally, she remarked, “My leadership told me I had to first prove my worth in the MP Company, so I had to really fight really hard to get here.”
Johnston went to work. She volunteered for every mission and assignment she could. “I tried to do well in all the soldier aspects of PT [physical training] and other things,” she said. “I was just trying to get out there and let people know that I will work hard.” She was eventually called to the office of Command Sgt. Maj. Adolfo Dominguez, command sergeant major of The Old Guard’s 4th Battalion, who asked her if she wanted to become a Tomb Guard. The next week, she was at tryouts.
Training proved to be a culture shock to Johnston. “Learning the rifle manual and everything else was completely different from what I did as a military police officer,” she said. Candidates are judged on their knowledge of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’s history, uniform preparation and ceremonial marching. As she studied the knowledge and prepared for the test, she recalled telling herself, “I have to get this, or I won't make it.”
Fortunately, she received help from her trainers, Sentinels Spc. Wyatt Stearns and Pfc. Jessica Kwiatkowski. “Having another woman showing me how she did her job made it easier for me,” Johnston said. “If she's telling me I can do it, I know I can do it.” Now, almost two years into the assignment, Johnston has conducted about 500 walks in front of the Tomb and overseen about 500 guard reliefs. “I'm hoping I can squeeze in another year,” she said. “I don't want to leave yet.”
Johnston rarely notices that she is currently the only woman Tomb Guard. “I treat these guys like my brothers, and they treat me like their sister,” she said. “I don't even think about it until someone asks me about it and I think, ‘Wait, I am the only woman here.’” Her fellow non-commissioned officers are impressed with the work she’s done at the Tomb. “She is humble, but she’s one of the strongest NCOs I’ve ever worked with,” Staff Sgt. Isaiah Jasso-Campagna said. “I hope to work with her again in the future.”
For her next adventure, Johnston has been selected to attend the U.S. Army’s Drill Sergeant Academy in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Until then, she will continue to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and proudly wear her MP badge.
