Air Force Sword

[Pylon]

Do you know how much paperwork we would have to fill out if someone got stabbed?

Speaking of which, the staple, ruler and pen could also be weapons.  But I digress...

Which gives rise to ridiculous sounding exclamations like:

Cadet Admin Officer!  Put down that stapler!  That's dangerous.... well, supposedly...

[Al Sayre]

Do you know how much paperwork we would have to fill out if someone got stabbed?

Speaking of which, the staple, ruler and pen could also be weapons.  But I digress...

Which gives rise to ridiculous sounding exclamations like:

Cadet Admin Officer!  Put down that stapler!  That's dangerous.... well, supposedly...

(Donning tinfoil hat...)

Next new regulation:  All Cadets must use non-toxic washable finger paint for filling out paperwork.  Forms with multiple sections will be printed on 18" x 24" paper to eliminate the need for stapling and such forms are NOT to be cut "to size" by using any sharp or pointed implement.  Forms shall not be rolled up to prevent Cadets from poking someone in the eye.  All rulers and other measuring devices shall be bolted or screwed to a table or wall and the object to be measured will be brought to the measurement device for measurement.   

[pixelwonk]

"...because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire... "

[Pylon]

"...because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire... "

Hahaha!  Great photo, Tedd!   

[pixelwonk]

couldn't resist 

[ZigZag911]

Do you know how much paperwork we would have to fill out if someone got stabbed?

Speaking of which, the staple, ruler and pen could also be weapons.  But I digress...

Which gives rise to ridiculous sounding exclamations like:

Cadet Admin Officer!  Put down that stapler!  That's dangerous.... well, supposedly...

(Donning tinfoil hat...)

Next new regulation:  All Cadets must use non-toxic washable finger paint for filling out paperwork.  Forms with multiple sections will be printed on 18" x 24" paper to eliminate the need for stapling and such forms are NOT to be cut "to size" by using any sharp or pointed implement.  Forms shall not be rolled up to prevent Cadets from poking someone in the eye.  All rulers and other measuring devices shall be bolted or screwed to a table or wall and the object to be measured will be brought to the measurement device for measurement.   

Not a concern now that CAP is "paperless"....of course, all that computer keyboarding brings its own 'risks', such as eye strain, back ache, and carpal tunnel syndrome!

[BillB]

But the Pen is mightier than the sword. So equip each cadet with a pen. Come to think of it, better make it a felt tip pen.

[schreiberboy]

But the Pen is mightier than the sword. So equip each cadet with a pen. Come to think of it, better make it a felt tip pen.

And the chaplain better watch out, carrying that sword of the spirit...

[ZigZag911]

Ah....but is the laser printer mightier than the pen?!?

[schreiberboy]

Ah....but is the laser printer mightier than the pen?!?

we all better start wearing armor...some of those upper-enlisted cadet ranks could be used to make spears.  I suggest we get a tip-guard installed on them, and forget pinning on rank, let's use glue!  but not from a glue gun...that might burn us...and a gun is considered a weapon and therefore we shouldn't have one...so on second thought, velcro rank? 

[afgeo4]

The USAF doesn't have a sword, true, but... The Air Force Sabre is used by the officers in the USAF Honor Guard...  I don't know how to html or I'd post a photo.

I think cermonial sabres could have a place in CAP Honor Guard for ceremonial use only to be secured by senior members when not in use.  Otherwise it's a bad, bad idea.   By the way, our cadets are permitted to learn and use firearms as part of the cadet programs.  Is that any less dangerous than supervised use of sabres/swords?

[ZigZag911]

[/quote]

(Donning tinfoil hat...)

Next new regulation:  All Cadets must use non-toxic washable finger paint for filling out paperwork.  Forms with multiple sections will be printed on 18" x 24" paper to eliminate the need for stapling and such forms are NOT to be cut "to size" by using any sharp or pointed implement.  Forms shall not be rolled up to prevent Cadets from poking someone in the eye.  All rulers and other measuring devices shall be bolted or screwed to a table or wall and the object to be measured will be brought to the measurement device for measurement.   

[/quote]

Now that we're paperless, our emphasis should be on not sticking their AF swords in electric sockets!

[JohnKachenmeister]

Please refer to CAPR 69-4, Paragraph 1-9, (A) through (B):

Sabres:  Sabres are authorized for CAP officers in the grades of 2nd Lt and above.  Sabres will not be used during regular training nor in the field.  Sabres will not be used on the flight line.  Sabres will not be used by cadet officers. 

All sabres used by CAP officers identified in (A) above will be plastic, brightly colored, and approximately 3 inches in length.  They will be used solely for the purpose of facilitating the consumption of fruit or fruit slices when such fruit or fruit slices are added to cocktails to enhance the flavor or appearance of such cocktails.  Possession of more than one sabre per officer is authorized, and sabres may be lined up on the bar to assist the officer in maintaining a count of cocktails consumed.

[bosshawk]

No swords, please.  There are too many "CAP Officers" on these posts who would be tempted to fall on those swords over things like uniforms, patches and ribbons.

[Major_Chuck]

No swords!  Light Sabre's...that is the way to go....

[davedove]

Not a concern now that CAP is "paperless"....of course, all that computer keyboarding brings its own 'risks', such as eye strain, back ache, and carpal tunnel syndrome!

But it does bring to mind the real reason to go paperless:  to avoid all those nasty papercuts!

[DNall]

Please refer to CAPR 69-4, Paragraph 1-9, (A) through (B):

Sabres:  Sabres are authorized for CAP officers in the grades of 2nd Lt and above.  Sabres will not be used during regular training nor in the field.  Sabres will not be used on the flight line.  Sabres will not be used by cadet officers. 

All sabres used by CAP officers identified in (A) above will be plastic, brightly colored, and approximately 3 inches in length.  They will be used solely for the purpose of facilitating the consumption of fruit or fruit slices when such fruit or fruit slices are added to cocktails to enhance the flavor or appearance of such cocktails.  Possession of more than one sabre per officer is authorized, and sabres may be lined up on the bar to assist the officer in maintaining a count of cocktails consumed.

Nice! 

There are sabres in all AF commissioning programs & they really get used in ceremonial parades (including honor guards), which is the only place they're useful. The tradition is for officers never to be armed w/ rifles, only swords or pisols. Not that it matters since we don't have a choice. The only two places I can think of it being appropriate would be pass in review at encampment & possibly for the commander of an exhibition/ceremonial drill team. However, I happen to think the reg is a good idea as written, for the reasons cited above. OTS pix below:

[ThorntonOL]

For the allowed knifes is that blade length or the entire length?

[Short Field]

Well, I have a Air Force Sword stored in the closet but didn't have a clue as to the regs covering the wear of it.  There are no USAF regs that cover it.  This is the best I could find on the internet but it tracks with my experience - normally cutting the cake at the USAF Birthday Ball:

The Air Force ceremonial sword is one of those "unwritten traditions." Ceremonial Swords may be carried by Air Force personnel (cadets, enlisted, officers) for any formal ceremony which warrants it. An example would be honor guard, or a group of NCOs/Officers performing the "Arch" at a military wedding. Generally, permission (and a briefing) must be obtained from the Wing Protocol Office before wearing a sword, in uniform at any ceremony (except for those who do so routinely, such as honor guard members -- they are generally covered by local -- Wing level -- honor guard policy or regulations, telling them when to wear the sword or not).

[Cecil DP]

So when do you think Vanguard will start selling this sword?

Truthfully, They had one at last year's National Board meeting in Atlanta. Looked like a variation of the USAFA sword. Cost about $300, maybe $350.