Are hiking staffs/poles ever authorized for use in military uniform?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 06:37:14 -0400

I've often wondered about this. In civilian organizations such as Scouting, hiking staffs or poles are encouraged when hiking uneven terrain and especially wearing a loaded backpack or ruck. If I were rucking in uniform while holding my weapon, I can see where a staff or pole would be impractical. But are there times or locations where hiking staffs or poles might be authorized, to decrease chance of injury on steep terrain? Just wondering. And wondering when the last time such poles or staffs were authorized or even issued in uniform.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 1 at 2015 6:59 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 06:59:04 -0400

That would be something to think about. I mean it can be used as a weapon as well as helping with balance on long hikes.

Response by CSM Eric Olsen made Jun 1 at 2015 8:34 AM

CSM Eric Olsen — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 08:34:47 -0400

Ranger instructors carry walking sticks in the Florida phase for two good reasons: 1) measuring the water depth before allowing a patrol to pass a stream, etc and 2) never falling in front of Ranger students!

There is a requirement of the senior RI of the trio to ensure that a few walking sticks are brought along on the patrol. I don't remember a written requirement for all RIs to carry a stick.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 9:52 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 09:52:51 -0400

As with anything in the service, it is about how you sell it. The requisition of safety equipment for conducting a intense, rugged dismounted foot march will sell better than 'can I buy 38 walking sticks for my platoon'.

In the end, what was the training supposed to achieve? You will not have a walking stick when marching in the field so when in the training program do you shed them?

Response by MSgt Robert Pellam made Jun 1 at 2015 10:22 AM

MSgt Robert Pellam — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 10:22:49 -0400

No idea on the regulation of this is, so I am going to do a little research. I know it is not part of the proper uniform so I don't think it can be just used to walk around base. Your question about in the field. I would think it would be considered a tool, or safety item and would be allowed under what ever regulation covers your safety side of things.

I also agree with CW5 Private RallyPoint Member In the military it is how you sell it. Is it a safety device used to prevent and aid in safe movement through rough terrain? or is it a fancy stick used to make you look like you have swag? (Sorry never used the word Swag before had to try) Anyway good question.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 10:45 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 10:45:30 -0400

I don't know about authorized but I dang sure wasn't going to say anything to our CSM during OSUT at Fort Knox. Unlike Teddy Roosevelt, he did not speak softly yet carried a big stick. He was a mountain of a man that in my opinion could carry that stick around regardless of what the regs said. Lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 11:04 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 11:04:37 -0400

It depends on the mission you are training for. In SERE we were taught to construct walking sticks, and to use them. As an OCE and Cadre, I've used them. I've also used trekking poles, bought with a GPC, with my team as we conducted realistic military training in mountainous terrain. It all depends on the mission and end-state. If your mission requires not looking like you are patrolling through the woods, a walking stick or trekking pole makes sense.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 1 at 2015 12:13 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:13:35 -0400

I've never seen a "walking stick" used in garrison. However, it was a common sight at Bridgeport. As CSM Eric Olsen sighted, they are used for measuring water depth & id'ing hazards when crossing water.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 12:27 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:27:31 -0400

Why would you want to "hike" in uniform? Hiking is for recreation. A "ruck" is a form of transportation. Is it not?

Response by SPC Donald Moore made Jun 1 at 2015 1:13 PM

SPC Donald Moore — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 13:13:17 -0400

No! Never. Not under any combination of circumstances would anything resembling that have gotten any traction in any unit I was ever assigned to.

You would have been squashed like a bug.

The very idea? Your hands should be holding your issued weapon. If the government didn't assign the equipment to you, you better not be wearing it or carrying it around with you.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jun 2 at 2015 2:15 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:15:29 -0400

Who requires a pole when hiking rough terrain?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 2:51 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 14:51:31 -0400

There's no specific verbiage I've seen in any training circular, pamphlet, regulation, or other official Army-wide document specifically forbidding use of a staff or pole (as opposed to, say, an umbrella or a mobile phone). Assuming that nobody's chimes in with a blanket prohibition because none exists, it then comes down to Commander's prerogative. If the appropriate level commander approves use of a staff or pole as a control measure to mitigate risk, it is not only authorized but specifically prescribed. Lo and behold, several examples have already been given of situations in which use of a staff or pole is either mandated or widely accepted in specific situations for specific reasons.

Individuals could make the same decision on an individual level to address terrain hazards, or due to being more prone to ankle-rolling or similar injuries (after all, we all conduct informal risk assessments routinely). If done during individual or collective training events, the individual would require explicit or tacit approval of those in charge of the event, or to be so far out of sight that it makes no nevermind.

Commander's prerogative works the other way too though, and use of a staff or pole could easily be specifically NOT permitted in an event. Or, as has been suggested in other posts, a unit culture might not be accepting of their use.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jun 3 at 2015 9:09 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 09:09:20 -0400

During SERE training, they are authorized and encouraged for the Survival and Evasion portions of the course. They are considered safety devices for hiking & evading in the mountains.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2019 10:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 May 2019 22:35:58 -0400

I’m an Army Ranger Instructor. We use walking sticks anytime we are on patrol with students. It’s not mandatory, but it is encouraged and sort of an icon of our job. Most often we make our own and personalize them with patches or unit crests from units we’ve deployed with and other items to make them our own. Mine has the skin from a timber rattlesnake I killed and ate when on my first patrol as a certified instructor.