Conference repair::reserve_forces

    Either in the scabbard or with the pointed end away from you :^)
    
    	Have a great weekend folks,
    
    				Bill Tarmey

    Verrrrry carefully! :-) :-) :-)
    
    Mark
    RMC USNR

    
    
    
    8-)
    
    In the US ARMY, officers carry sabers, nco's carry swords.
    
    I'll bring my copy of FM22-5 in and post the info for you.
    
    Randy Schwartz
    

    
    re: .1   Loved it Bill.
    
    In Canada depends on who and what you are.
    
    Highland officers carry claymores (really claidhbegh (sp))
    Infantry officers carry swords
    Armoured officers carry sabres
    
    I believe naval officers carry swords but CPOs carry cutlasses.
    
    The Regimental Sgt Major and the Pipe Major in our unit carry a
    claymore as well, but never draw it from the scabbard.

    
    The claymore (claidhmohr - great sword) was originally the two handed
    Highland broadsword while the claidhbeg was the one handed broadsword
    which is what we really carry. Tradition calls it a claymore.
    
    Roger 
    

    Had to buy a sword & learn the manual of the sword in the Marines.  The
    officer's sword is supposed to be a copy of a Mameluke sword (captured
    or presented, I forget) of the time of the Tripolitan expedition during
    Jefferson's administration.  The NCO sword is similar but of somewhat
    different hilt pattern.
    
    Swords are worn point-forward on the left side.  Drawn with the right
    hand and carried with the back of the blade resting against your
    shoulder, swords are of a custom length for each officer so that the
    tip of the blade comes even with the top edge of your right ear in the
    CARRY position.
    
    As I recall, there wasn't much to the sword drill. The commands were
    DRAW (grasp scabbard with left hand, rotate it hilt forward, grasp hilt
    with right hand, draw blade about an inch to be sure its loose) SWORD!
    (Draw sword, extending arm up at 60 degree angle, returning to carry
    position.)
    
    PRESENT (bring hilt in front of chin, blade flat to you and pointed up
    at 60 degree angle)  SWORD! (Arm sweeps down to side, blade still flat
    to front, forearm and blade form about 60-70 degree angle downward, be
    careful not to stick blade into asphalt and have to march off and leave
    it there during pass in review)
    
    ORDER SWORD! (In two separate movements, blade is first turned edge-on
    from flat-on, then wrist motion flicks it from 70 degrees down up into
    the carry position again, being careful not to slice ear or side of
    head with the tip, nor visibly flinch away)
    
    At Parade Rest, sword goes from carry position to 70 degrees down as
    other hand goes to small of back and feet are placed apart.  at
    position of AT EASE, tip may be rested on ground.  At ATTENTION, sword
    is again returned to carry poition.
    
    RETURN SWORD! (Sword is brought to salute position as in first part of
    PRESENT, hilt in front of chin, and then is returned to scabbard in
    expeditious manner.)

    Hi all from Down Under.
    
    Similar to the Canadian system we follow the British also, except our
    Scottish Regiments, all Reserve, carry the Infantry Sword.
    
    Sapper John

< Note 105.4 by KAOO01::LAPLANTE >
>    In Canada depends on who and what you are.
>    Armoured officers carry sabres

	In the Armoured Corps, we don't call it a sabre, rather a cavalry
	sword. All Senior NCOs and Officers carry the sword. Officers and the 
	Standard Party Guards carry the swords drawn. All other Senior NCOs
	carry it sheathed. The RSM and the Officers carry an officer's sword, 
	while the NCO's carry a trooper's sword. The difference being the blade
	and the hand guard does not have any engraving on a troopers sword.


	Susan

    Re Navy..... Officers carry swords and Chiefs (senior NCO's) 
                 the cutlass..look closely at the Surface warfare
                 pins that the tin can types ware..The blades on 
                 gold Officer version are straight swords while
                 the Enlisted silver are curved cutlass's

                 My cutlass is an actual 1863 Ames made in Chicopee 
                 Mass. Most rare is that I also have the original 
                 scabbard for it.. You know I just had to have it 
                 since I intend to retire off the USS Constitution 
                 when the time comes....And an Ol' Chief Bosun'
                 battleaxe wouldn't look right without it.. ;-)

                 Now to find or have someone fab up the "frog"
                 retainer and a broad belt for it to go on and
                 I'll be all set.

                                    BMC Bob B USNR

    That's that the way to go Bob.....with style.
        
    Dave