who is issued a sword in the forces? Is it issued by the services on a temporary basis or is it a perminant issue. Are they only issued for cerimonial duties?
2007-01-24 05:38:56 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I say bring back fighting with them. That will sort out the men from the boys. None of this heat seeking missile shiite.
2007-01-24 05:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Man the military has changed: in Vietnam we had a lot of guys get WWII style bayonets and grind, then sharpen them into rather evil little swords. Sort of a mini- machete. Some of real machetes were razor sharp and ask any Marine; there was always a few who sharpened their "entrenching tool" to the point it could cut grass.
As any sailor on a Swift boat or such what they had to "repel
boarders" with. Suspect that CPO's still keep such when on a river patroll boat.
Naval Academy and West Point, both of which have robust collegiate fencing programs to this day. Should nuclear war wipe out modern weapons the service academies stand ready to lead us into battle. The Air Academy does have a glider program as what good is a sword at 10,000 feet.
Ever see the "knife" an Air Force PJ carries? Jaw's be darned,
those guys are ready as well!
2007-01-24 14:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by cruisingyeti 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the Royal Navy swords are worn by officers on ceremonial occasions. They would be issued for a specific occasion but they can also be bought or won as a prize (best in training or similar award). CPO's can wear a cutlass which again would be issued for the occasion. A lot of officers do buy their own sword but I don't know of any chiefs that have bought a cutlass.
2007-01-25 05:34:02 · answer #3 · answered by saltydog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Officers carry swords, but in ceremonial duties only They don't have them during the practices, except the dress rehursals. They don't keep the swords, they hand them back after parades. The Non-Commissioned ranks carry rifles on parade, but we are only issued them for the parade and the practices associated with them. We collect them from the Armoury before a practice/parade and put them back into the armoury afterwards. We don't take them back to our rooms or anything!
2007-01-25 08:17:05 · answer #4 · answered by genghis41f 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only Commisioned officers carry swords in the Army, the Navy, and the RAF. Warrant officers in the Army carry a pace Stick. They are not Commisioned Officers.
2007-01-25 20:26:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Luluetc is right, as far as the UK forces are concerned. As far as the person who suggests the use of swords for preparing french fries, I am an ex Royal Navy cook, and I can assure you that a 4 inch Sabatier Cooks knife is far better for the poreparation of French Fries than even the best sword.
My best method for dealing with potatoes was a defaulter (naughty rating) who had been assigned to me as a punishment. 50kg of potatoes to peel, slice, pack and freeze, with a blunt knife. Plus the additional punishment of smelling those potatoes frying in my galley, knowing that the entire ship would be eating those fries with steak, whilst all he would get was beans on toast. If he complained, he would get a double portion of beans - salted.
Who needs prisons?
2007-01-24 18:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chief Petty Officers in the Navy have swords as part of their uniform, but for formal ceremonial use only (actually I never saw them worn, CPOs love to show them off, though).
They're not "issued", they're purchased by the individuals.
2007-01-24 14:00:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only people who are issued with swords are Officers, they are issued on a permanent basis and you are correct, they are usually only used for Ceremonial Duties.
2007-01-24 13:44:30 · answer #8 · answered by lululaluau 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
When I was in the RAF officers were loaned swords from stores for ceremonial occassions only but I knew naval officers and army also who owned their own
2007-01-27 12:45:38 · answer #9 · answered by frankturk50 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Officer and Warrant Officers, but they aren't issued. They have to buy those swords.
2007-01-24 13:46:52 · answer #10 · answered by Joseph P 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋