Which armies give swords to their NCOs?

[operative]

Hi everyone, I am just curious about the issuing of swords to NCOs. Traditionally, only officers are presented swords as symbols of their command status. However, AFAIK, some militaries do issue swords to NCOs (e.g. the USMC's M1859 sword).

I would appreciate it if people can share with me their knowledge on whether their armies give swords to their NCOs and the reasons for it. Thank you

 

[Feanor]

The US Marine Corps has NCO swords.

 

[operative]

The US Marine Corps has NCO swords.

Hi Feanor, thx for sharing but if u noticed, I did quote the USMC as having NCO swords

 

[operative]

Just to add on to what I've found, the Japanese Army also issues the Type 95 sword to its NCOs. Not sure if its out of tradition or for other ceremonial purposes.

 

[StevoJH]

Fairly sure the members of the Mounted Regiment of the Household Cavalry are all issued Swords if that counts.

 

[Feanor]

Hi Feanor, thx for sharing but if u noticed, I did quote the USMC as having NCO swords

Whoops? My bad. I skimmed your initial post.

 

[Cadredave]

Hi everyone, I am just curious about the issuing of swords to NCOs. Traditionally, only officers are presented swords as symbols of their command status. However, AFAIK, some militaries do issue swords to NCOs (e.g. the USMC's M1859 sword).

I would appreciate it if people can share with me their knowledge on whether their armies give swords to their NCOs and the reasons for it. Thank you

The only swords carried by NCO in the NZ Army are the two RSM,s (Regimental Sergeant Majors) of the two regular Infantry battalions on ceremonial parades only it a throw back from our UK traditions.

CD

 

[operative]

Fairly sure the members of the Mounted Regiment of the Household Cavalry are all issued Swords if that counts.

Ok, thanks. Is the unit (i.e. the Household Cavalry that u mentioned) set up purely for regimental/ceremonial purposes?

 

[operative]

No worries

 

[StevoJH]

Ok, thanks. Is the unit (i.e. the Household Cavalry that u mentioned) set up purely for regimental/ceremonial purposes?

Yes and no, the mounted part of the household cavalry is mainly ceremonial, however they also have an operational unit equiped with light tanks that can and has deployed overseas in the recent past (the ghan)

While they are a ceremonial unit, given that they are part of the queens ceremonial bodyguard, the swords are probably kept sharp enough....

 

[operative]

Yes and no, the mounted part of the household cavalry is mainly ceremonial, however they also have an operational unit equiped with light tanks that can and has deployed overseas in the recent past (the ghan)

While they are a ceremonial unit, given that they are part of the queens ceremonial bodyguard, the swords are probably kept sharp enough....

Appreciate the answer Cheers.

 

[riksavage]

Appreciate the answer Cheers.

When you join the Household Division (Guards, Blues & Royals and Life Guards) you typically join the ceremonial side (public duties) for the first couple of years before being assigned to an operational sqn/company. The Life Guards (red tunics) and Blues & Royals (blue tunics) are pat of 16 Air Assault Brigade providing recce assets inside CVRT. Elements are Para trained (once they have completed P-Company). CVRT can be dropped out the back of a C130 minus the crew who follow the pallet down under their own canopy.

The website has a PDF download, all officers/troopers are issued with Swords for public duties only. Not carried in the field since WWI

The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) - British Army Website

Not sure whether you would class a kukri as a sword or dagger? It has however been used in anger in Afghanistan. One Gurkha soldier was asked to bring back a dead Taliban for ID'ing, he couldn't be bothered to bring back the whole body so he simply hacked off the head with his kukri and brought it back to the FOB - he was severely reprimanded.

 

[exported_kiwi]

When you join the Household Division (Guards, Blues & Royals and Life Guards) you typically join the ceremonial side (public duties) for the first couple of years before being assigned to an operational sqn/company. The Life Guards (red tunics) and Blues & Royals (blue tunics) are pat of 16 Air Assault Brigade providing recce assets inside CVRT. Elements are Para trained (once they have completed P-Company). CVRT can be dropped out the back of a C130 minus the crew who follow the pallet down under their own canopy.

The website has a PDF download, all officers/troopers are issued with Swords for public duties only. Not since WWI were they carried in the field.

The Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) - British Army Website

Not sure whether you would class a kukri as a sword or dagger? It has however been used in anger in Afghanistan. One Gurkha soldier was asked to bring back a dead Taliban for ID'ing, he couldn't be bothered to bring back the whole body so he simply hacked off the head with his kukri and brought it back to the FOB - he was severely reprimanded.

Why was the Gurkha reprimanded? Seems like energy and time saving idea to me! Good thinking on the troopers part!

 

[riksavage]

Why was the Gurkha reprimanded? Seems like energy and time saving idea to me! Good thinking on the troopers part!

Agreed, but the PC brigade threw their toys out the pram, they were worried it would be a propaganda coup for the enemy who might claim the Gurkha removed the head pre-mortem.

 

[STURM]

Why was the Gurkha reprimanded? Seems like energy and time saving idea to me! Good thinking on the troopers part!

The practice of beheading for ID purposes was also used in Malaya during the 1st Emergency. There was an incident where Royal Marines beheaded some dead insurgents, including a female, insurgents and it became a hot topic, with left wing and communist groups in Britain. Iban trackers also did the same, instead of carrying the bodies back, they simply carried the head back.

 

[ngatimozart]

Not sure whether you would class a kukri as a sword or dagger? It has however been used in anger in Afghanistan. One Gurkha soldier was asked to bring back a dead Taliban for ID'ing, he couldn't be bothered to bring back the whole body so he simply hacked off the head with his kukri and brought it back to the FOB - he was severely reprimanded.

Thats a bit mean. I'd give him 10 / 10 for initiative. To many nandy pandy PC types around. Considering what the Taliban do I think its a bit rich.

In RNZN senior rates - Petty Officers (equivalent to sergeants) and above carry cutlasses.

 

[Abraham Gubler]

Hi everyone, I am just curious about the issuing of swords to NCOs. Traditionally, only officers are presented swords as symbols of their command status.

Officers aren't given swords, they have to buy them. Thousand bucks at least.

 

[riksavage]

Thats a bit mean. I'd give him 10 / 10 for initiative. To many nandy pandy PC types around. Considering what the Taliban do I think its a bit rich.

In RNZN senior rates - Petty Officers (equivalent to sergeants) and above carry cutlasses.

According to UK press release:

"A Gurkha solider who beheaded a Taliban gunman and carried his head back to base in a bag has been cleared to resume his duties. The private, from 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, was involved in a fierce firefight with insurgents in the Babaji area of central Helmand Province when the incident took place earlier last July. The Nepalese soldier, who is in his early 20s, apparently made the decision to remove the head in a misunderstanding over the need for DNA evidence of the kill."

Read more: Gurkha who beheaded Taliban soldier in Afghanistan battle cleared to return to duty | Mail Online

 

[sgtgunn]

The US Army has the Model 1840 Non-Comissioned Officer's Sword.

It originally was issued as a secondary weapon for Infantry sergeants and standard bearers and saw service in the Mexican-American War, Civil War and Spanish American War.

It is not an issued item but must be purchased and runs around $325.

It is rarely seen outside of ceremonial units, but NCO swords are occasionally given as retirement gifts, or to winners of NCO of the Year Boards, etc.

Most likely place you'll see them is at military wedding, but even that tends to be more of an "officer" thing (and they'll have thier Model 1902 Sabers).


Adrian

 

[StevoJH]

According to UK press release:

"A Gurkha solider who beheaded a Taliban gunman and carried his head back to base in a bag has been cleared to resume his duties. The private, from 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, was involved in a fierce firefight with insurgents in the Babaji area of central Helmand Province when the incident took place earlier last July. The Nepalese soldier, who is in his early 20s, apparently made the decision to remove the head in a misunderstanding over the need for DNA evidence of the kill."

Read more: Gurkha who beheaded Taliban soldier in Afghanistan battle cleared to return to duty | Mail Online

Good job by whoever made the decision, he showed good initiative!