U.S. Army Spc. Jessica Kwiatkowski walks the mat for the final time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Oct. 4, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/U.S. Army)

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard Spc. Jessica Kwiatkowski — the first woman infantry soldier to earn a Tomb Badge — left behind a large legacy when she took her last walk on Oct. 4, 2024.

Kwiatkowski, who is with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), was the subject of a viral video in 2023, when she was filmed continuing her march in the middle of a storm that involved winds of 60-85 mph. Kwiatkowski walked the mat even as the Tomb Plaza flooded with water and she lost her ability to see clearly.

The incident took place on July 29, 2023; Kwiatkowski earned the Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge less than two months later.

Earning the badge requires five phases of testing, consistently maintaining a meticulous appearance and mastery of the various Tomb ceremonies, among other things. While other women have earned the badge, they came from other fields — Kwiatkowski was the first female infantry soldier to receive the award. Fewer than than 16% of active-duty U.S. Army soldiers were women in 2022.

Kwiatkowski served at the Tomb Of the Unknown Soldier since November 2022 and completed more than 525 ceremonial walks, 140 guard changes and countless public wreath laying ceremonies.

Upon completing her last walk, Kwiatkowski handed her rifle to Staff Sgt. William Matyas. According to a U.S. Army press release, Kwiatkowski whispered something to him briefly, rather than handing it off immediately.

Of the words exchanged, Kwiatkowski would only say, “When you pass the rifle off, it goes to a person who meant a lot to you during your time here, and that was him for me.”

She then laid white roses at the unknown crypts.

Sergeant of the Guard Andrew Jay remarked on how far Kwiatkowski had come since joining the platoon, reminding her of how she initially struggled to maneuver the rifle. Kwiatkowski’s family, attending the ceremony, expressed pride. Her mother held back tears throughout the event.

Kwiatkowski will now instruct incoming soldiers on Old Guard uniforms, with the aim of eventually becoming a drill sergeant. It’s not easy to become one — drill sergeants represent the top 10% of all Army non-commissioned officers in their grade — but that is unlikely to deter Kwiatkowski.

U.S. Army Spc. Jessica Kwiatkowski conducts her last Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Oct. 4, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/U.S. Army)

U.S. Army Spc. Jessica Kwiatkowski walks the mat for the final time at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Oct. 4, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/U.S. Army)

U.S. Army Spc. Jessica Kwiatkowski hugs her family after conducting her last walk ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Oct. 4, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/U.S. Army)

U.S. Army Spc. Jessica Kwiatkowski places a white rose at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Oct. 4, 2024. Placing a rose at the foot of each crypt signifies a Sentinels’ last and final honor before they leave the tomb. (Elizabeth Fraser/U.S. Army)