Wearing Of the NCO Sword.

[MRowan]

Good Morning all. Just a quick Question for anyone who can help. I just Picked up on the first and was wondering, What are some times I can wear my NCO Sword? Thanks in advance to all who answer!

Semper Fi.

[GySgtRet]

Cpl Rowan,

I have heard that now-a-days there are learning centers in the Marine Corps at all installations. Also, libraries. The NCO Handbook was always help for me. I just at this point in time remember the regulations. Certainly in any ceremony that the NCO Sword is required, i. e., Retirement Parades, The Marine Corps Birthday, Full complemted weddings, to include sword arches come to mind. But there may be more. When you do find out the answer hold a PME for your subordinates to keep them educated...!!!!

Congratulations on making your NCO stripe

Semper Fidelis

[jinelson]

If you have not been to NCO school yet your command will most likely be sending you as soon when the next billet is available. You will spend a considerable amount of time with the sword manual in that school. Congratulations on becoming a non commissioned officer of Marines you are now one of the Marines most responsible for carrying on our traditions.

Semper Fi

[Ed Palmer]

PAGE 1


UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Marine Corps University

Corporals Noncommissioned Officers Program



CPL 0103

Jan 99



STUDENT HANDOUT


LEARNING OBJECTIVES:



a. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Given a training site, a Marine NCO sword, the appropriate accessories, and with the aid of references, execute the sword manual per the reference (CPL 3.3)



b. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES (CE): Without the aid of but per the references, identify the following:



(1)The general rules of the NCO sword manual. (CPL 3.3a)

(2) The nomenclature of the NCO sword. (CPL 3.3b)



c. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES (PE): Given a training site, a Marine NCO sword, appropriate accessories, and without the aid of but per the references, execute the following movements:



(1) Draw sword. (CPL 3.3c)

(2) Order sword. (CPL 3.3d)

(3) Carry sword. (CPL 3.3e)

(4) Present sword. (CPL 3.3f)

(5) Carriage while marching. (CPL 3.3g)

(6) Rest with the sword. (CPL 3.3h)

(7) Return sword. (CPL 3.3i)



OUTLINE


1. GENERAL RULES AND NOMENCLATURE OF THE NCO SWORD:



a. History of the Sword: After the Barbary Pirates War, Marine officers started carrying the Mameluke Sword. In 1858, the Marine Corps discontinued the Mameluke sword and adopted the 1858 Cavalry Sword. However, this was not a popular decision and during the Civil War, officers reverted back to the Mameluke Sword. For centuries, the sword has been a symbol of leadership and authority. But it had always been an officer’s weapon. When the Commandant gave the Mameluke Sword back to the officers, he decided to present the 1858 Cavalry Sword (to become known as the NCO Sword) to Marine NCO’s in recognition of the part they play in leading Marines in combat. Although the Mameluke Sword in the oldest weapon in the United States arsenal, the NCO Sword is the oldest weapon in continuous use since the Mameluke Sword was out of use for a few years during the beginning of the Civil War. The Marine Corps remains the only US service that has presented their NCO’s with this symbol of authority and leadership.



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b. General Rules:



(1) Officers and noncommissioned officers draw and return sword without command when the commander of their unit does. Unless they are members of the commander's staff, they execute all other movements of the sword manual on the commander's commands to the unit. Staff members execute all other movements on the commander's separate command to his staff. A unit commander, after being inspected, may return sword prior to accompanying the inspecting party, except during the inspection of an honor guard.



(2) Carry sword is assumed when:



* Giving commands.

* Changing position in formation at quick time.

* Addressing or being addressed by a senior.

* The preparatory command for quick time has been given.

* While marching at quick time.

* Any manual of arms movement has been ordered except parade rest, at ease, rest, present arms, or eyes right (left). When in formation with personnel to your front at normal distance or less (organization staffs excluded), remain at carry sword except during rest or at ease.

* Any facing movement has been given. If at order sword, execute carry sword on the preparatory command of the facing movement.



(3) Present sword is assumed when:



* Saluting with the sword.

* The unit is presented to the colors, or to persons, or when the National Anthem, To The Color, Retreat, or Hail to the Chief is played.

* Executing eyes right (left) while marching past a reviewing officer or stand. When you are in the interior of a formation, remain at the carry.



(4) While marching at double time, hold the sword diagonally across the chest with the true edge toward the front. Hold the scabbard with the left hand just below the frog.



(5) When calling roll, reading documents, or publishing orders to a formation, slip the fingers of the left hand between the sword grip and guard. Allow the sword to

hang, grip to the front across the knuckles. Keep the left elbow against the side. Hold the document with both hands.



(6) When not in formation, keep the sword in the scabbard. Salute by executing the hand salute.



c. Nomenclature of the NCO Sword: The NCO Sword is carried on a frog on the left hip. The frog is held in place by use of either a black or white leather belt when wearing Dress Blues. The nomenclature of the sword and scabbard is as follows (see figure 105-1):









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[Ed Palmer]

PAGE 2

(1) Scabbard:



* Throat. * Frog stud.

* Tip. * Drag.



(2) Sword:



* Pommel. *Grips. * Knuckle bow * Hilt. * Blade. * Forte. * Foible. * Quillon. * Ricasso. * True edge. * False edge. * Fuller. * Point of percussion.
















Figure 0103-1

2. DRAW SWORD: For each movement that we discuss we will start off with the PCWC of the movement:



(P) stands for Purpose

(C) stands for Count

(W) stands for When

(C) stands for Commands.



Let's look at the PCWC for our first sword movement, draw sword:



(P) To draw the sword out of the scabbard.

(C) Three count movement.

(W) Halted at the position of attention.

(C) DRAW SWORD.















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b. First Count: On the preparatory command DRAW, grasp the scabbard with the left hand just below the frog, tilting it forward to form an angle of 45 degrees from the deck. Grasp the grip with the right hand and pull the sword out approximately 10" from the scabbard. The right forearm should be parallel to the deck and the left hand holding the scabbard against the side.



c. Second Count: On the command of execution SWORD, draw the sword out smartly, keeping it directly to the front, and raising the right arm to its full extent. The blade should be at an angle of 45 degrees, sword in a straight line with the arm, and true edge down. At the same time, release the left hand from the scabbard. Pause in this position for one count.



d. Third Count: Bring the back of the blade against the shoulder-seam, with the blade vertical, knuckle bow to the front, right arm nearly extended, and the thumb and forefinger embracing the lower part of the grip. The thumb should be on the trouser seam with the remaining three fingers joined behind the end of the hilt. This is the position of CARRY SWORD.



3. ORDER SWORD FROM CARRY SWORD:



a. (P) To position the sword at the order position.

(C) One count movement.

(W) Halted at the position of carry sword.

(C) ORDER SWORD (ARMS).



b. Execution: On the command of execution, SWORD (ARMS), rotate the sword so that the tip of the sword is pointing downward. The tip of the sword will be 3 inches above the deck and slightly to the right front of the right foot. Straighten the right arm. The thumb remains on the left side of the grip and against the trouser seam. The blade is inclined downward with the true edge pointed down.



4. CARRY SWORD FROM ORDER SWORD:



a. (P) To position the sword at the carry position

(C) One count movement.

(W) Halted at the position of order sword.

(C) CARRY SWORD (ARMS).



b. Execution: Smartly rotate the sword so the blade is vertical and against the shoulder seam, the knuckle bow to the front, the right arm nearly extended, and the thumb and forefinger embracing the lower part of the grip. The thumb should be on the trouser seam with the fingers joined behind the end of the hilt.



5. PRESENT SWORD:



a. (P) To salute while carrying the sword.

(C) Two count movement.

(W) Halted at the position of carry sword or order sword. It may also be execute without command when marching.

(C) PRESENT SWORD (ARMS).





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NOTE: The only difference in executing this movement from the order or from the carry is the initial position of the sword, and the arc that the sword moves in during the execution of the first count.



b. First Count: On the preparatory command PRESENT, raise the right hand level with and 6" in front of your neck. Keep the thumb on the left side of the grip, wrist straight, and elbow against the body. The knuckle bow should be on the left, with the blade inclined forward at a 30 degree angle.



c. Second Count: On the command of execution SWORD (ARMS), bring the blade of the sword down smartly, without whipping, to a position 3" above the deck and slightly to the right of the right foot. Straighten the right arm. The thumb remains on the left side of the grip, with the knuckle bow against the trouser seam. The blade is inclined down and forward with the true edge to the left.



d. Order Sword from Present Sword: The command is ORDER, SWORD (ARMS), and is executed in one count. On the command of execution SWORD (ARMS), turn the true edge down. In this position, the right arm hangs naturally, with the thumb on the trouser seam. The blade inclines down and forward with the point 3" above the deck.



NOTE: There are a few rare instances, such as when on a battalion staff, when the final position of the sword when given Order Arms from Present Arms will be the carry. In such cases, execute order arms on the preparatory command as described above. On the command of execution, execute carry sword.



6. CARRIAGE WHILE MARCHING: While marching with the sword at the carry, the arms swing 6 inches to the front and 3 inches to the rear, which is the same as they would if you

did not have a sword in your hand. The back of the blade remains along the shoulder-seam Do not hold the scabbard.



7. RESTS WITH THE SWORD: The three rests that we will concern ourselves with are parade rest, at ease, and rest.



a. (P) To rest while in formation.

(C) Parade rest is a one count movement. At ease and rest are non-precision movements and have no counts.

(W) Halted at attention and usually at order sword.

(C) PARADE REST, AT EASE, REST.



b. Execution of Parade Rest: This is normally executed from order sword. If it is to be executed from carry sword, you must come to order sword on the preparatory command PARADE. At the command of execution REST, move the left foot and left arm as in normal parade rest. At the same time, lower the point of the sword to the deck. Right thumb remains along the trouser seam.



c. Execute Attention: The command of execution, ATTENTION, is preceded by a preparatory





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command predetermined by the size of the unit. For this class, I will use PLATOON. On the command of execution, ATTENTION, move the right foot and left arm as in normal attention. At the same time, raise the point of the sword 3" above the deck (the position of order sword).



d. At Ease and Rest: At the command AT EASE or REST, the only requirement is that the right foot, right arm, and sword remain at the position of parade rest. While at ease, you may not talk. While at rest, you may talk quietly to the Marines around you. The command to terminate this movement is the same as the one to terminate parade rest. On the preparatory command, PLATOON, assume the position of parade rest. On the command of execution, ATTENTION, execute attention as described above.



8. RETURN SWORD:



a. (P) To return the sword to the scabbard.

(C) Three count movement.

(W) Only when halted at the position of carry sword or order sword.

(C) RETURN, SWORD.



NOTE: The only difference in executing this movement from the order or from the carry is the initial position of the sword, and the arc that the sword moves in during the execution of the first count.



b. First Count: On the preparatory command, RETURN, with the right hand, execute the first movement of present sword. At the same time, grasp the scabbard just below the frog with the left hand, tilting it forward at a 45 degree angle to the deck.



c. Second Count: Lower the sword point to a position just above the throat of the scabbard. Look down at the opening at the same time you lower your sword tip. Guide the point into the throat until the right forearm is parallel to the deck and the hilt is approximately 10" from the scabbard. Raise the head to the front.



d. Third Count: On the command of execution SWORD, push smartly down and release the grip of the sword with the right hand, so it will slide all the way in to the scabbard. In the same motion, return the right hand to the right side. Release the scabbard with the left hand and return it to the left side, assuming the position of attention.



REFERENCE: NAVMC 2691, Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual

[Ed Palmer]

Damn I am good

[dydx]

Congrats on joining the NCO brotherhood. I remember when I picked up my blood stripe and my second set of mosquito wings...Proudest most painful day of my life.

Limped to the PX the next day and ordered myself an annodized NCO sword. Got sent to NCO school, learned the sword manual, and during the remainder of my career used the NCO sword twice.

Once for the the Regimental Sgt Major's retirement ceremony and once for the 9th Marine's Colors Return Ceremony, only to get redesignated 4th Marines.

So you won't get to wear it often, but I must say, my NCO sword is my proudest possession.

Once Again Congrats, Semper Fi

[MRowan]

Thanks Again to Everyone For The answers. I Know there will not be alot of times to wear it, I was just hoping for a few. I'm looking forward to NCO school. I hope I get sent soon. Well, I'm off to the beach,(if it is re opened) there are shark teeth to be found.

Semper Fi.