Chelsea Porterfield

Sergeant First Class Chelsea Porterfield

Sergeant First Class Chelsea Porterfield is a retired United States Army military police soldier who made history as the first woman appointed Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

A native of Amarillo, Texas, Porterfield enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18. During a 20-year military career, she served at postings in Germany, South Korea, Hawaii, Missouri and the National Capital Region. Her overseas service included deployments to Israel in 2003, Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2005 to 2007, and Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009. (Army)

Porterfield spent much of her career in the Military Police Corps. Her assignments included service as a military police soldier, drill sergeant and senior noncommissioned officer. In 2017, she was assigned to the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as “The Old Guard,” where she served as a platoon sergeant. The Old Guard is the Army’s official ceremonial unit and escort to the president, while remaining an operational infantry regiment. (The American Legion)

In September 2019, Porterfield became the first woman to lead a marching element onto Arlington National Cemetery. She was subsequently selected as the 38th Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, becoming the first woman to hold that appointment. As Sergeant of the Guard, she was responsible for the training, discipline, ceremonial precision and daily operation of the Tomb Guard platoon. (DVIDS)

Qualification for service at the Tomb requires soldiers to master extensive historical material, ceremonial movements and exacting uniform standards. Porterfield successfully completed the demanding qualification process and received Tomb Guard Identification Badge number 688. She became only the fifth woman to earn the badge and serve as a qualified Tomb Sentinel. (The American Legion)

On October 4, 2021, Porterfield conducted the first changing of the guard performed entirely by women in the history of the Tomb. The ceremony took place as she completed her final walk at the Tomb and concluded her service as Sergeant of the Guard. (The American Legion)

Porterfield’s military career also included four operational deployments and the award of the Bronze Star Medal. Her other decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars. (Tomb Guard)

Behind her achievements was a deeply personal struggle. In 2018, Porterfield experienced suicidal thoughts while facing the combined pressures of military service, family responsibilities and unresolved experiences from her deployments. She entered inpatient treatment and later spoke openly about her recovery. Porterfield credited the support of fellow soldiers and leaders with helping her return to duty and continue her career. (Army)

Porterfield retired from the United States Army in 2022 after approximately 20 years of service. She remained active with the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, helping educate the public about the Unknown Soldiers, Arlington National Cemetery and the demanding qualification process followed by Tomb Guards. (The American Legion)

She has also used her own experiences to support military and veteran mental-health awareness. Through public appearances and participation in the American Legion’s Be the One initiative, Porterfield has encouraged service members and veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help, accept support and reject the stigma sometimes associated with mental-health treatment. (The American Legion)

Chelsea Porterfield’s historical importance extends beyond becoming the first female Sergeant of the Guard. Her career combined operational military service, ceremonial leadership and a willingness to speak openly about the psychological burdens carried by many soldiers.

At Arlington, she guarded the memory of America’s unidentified fallen. After leaving the Army, she continued serving by helping protect the veterans and service members who returned home.