Army commisoned officers carry a saber, and NCOs carry a sword. If so inclined, what dress sword would a warrant officer carry?

2019-01-06T23:19:39-05:00

AR 670-1 has no information about this, and TC 3-21.5 Appendix F only provides instruction for the officer saber and NCO sword. Is there a warrant-specific version of the saber? Hve you ever seen a warrant officer carrying a dress sword for a wedding or ball?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2019 11:58 PM

2019-01-06T23:58:49-05:00

If you follow this link, it'll show you one. https://www.marlowwhite.com/Swords/preorder-wo

Warrant Officer Centennial Saber / Marlow White

The Choice of the Professional Soldier since 1879.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 12:05 AM

2019-01-07T00:05:58-05:00

In all nomenclature that I have seen, Warrant Officer regulations are usually included with those for traditional commissioned Officers. This would lead me to believe they would carry the saber. Also of note is that Warrant Officers are commissioned upon promotion to CW2.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 12:14 AM

2019-01-07T00:14:49-05:00

The NCO and officer sword are rooted in tradition. The officer Saber is for leading the charge and cutting through foes, while the NCO straight sword is for pushing the troops into battle.
If the Warrant Officer Corps had a dress sword to represent their role, I imagine it would be a shiny multitool with a beer bottle opener on it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 12:56 AM

2019-01-07T00:56:33-05:00

Warrant Officers are officers and apart of the same overall Officer Corps (and CW2's and above are commissioned the same as regular officers). So, the ceremonial "Officer Saber" is also worn by them when appropriate (ceremonies, weddings, certain formal balls, etc.).

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jan 7 at 2019 1:01 AM

2019-01-07T01:01:08-05:00

NONE! They aren't cool enough! They get the coffee mug and the power to shirk their work whenever they please! Let us real Soldiers carry our big knives!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 5:05 AM

2019-01-07T05:05:59-05:00

Marlow White has a commemorative Warrant Officer saber for sale to represent the 100th Anniversary of the Cohort.

Response by TSgt John Marshall made Jan 7 at 2019 6:31 AM

2019-01-07T06:31:54-05:00

A Warrant Officer will carry a saber.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 7 at 2019 10:08 AM

2019-01-07T10:08:10-05:00

They carry 24" chrome plated pipe wrenches.

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 7 at 2019 1:55 PM

2019-01-07T13:55:07-05:00

Still trying to get E-4's a two handed war hammer - however saber seems appropriate.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 2:16 PM

2019-01-07T14:16:44-05:00

It would have to be a lance. Warrants are famous for 'pricking' the system. Jab, jab, jab. Either that or a stiletto to live up to the ole' 'warrant officer mafia' legend.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 2:43 PM

2019-01-07T14:43:27-05:00

We've got a lot of great info in this post about warrants and pointy objects. Thanks for the education folks.

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Jan 7 at 2019 3:24 PM

2019-01-07T15:24:50-05:00

https://www.marlowwhite.com/premium-army-wo-saber
Premium Army Centennial Warrant Officer Saber
Price: $550.00
•Marlow White partnered with a team of warrant officers across the Army to develop a custom blade etch commemorating 100 years of the Warrant Officer Corps

•Availability Notice: We are sold out of this Premium saber. We anticipate the next order arriving from the manufacturer in Spring 2019. You may order one now and we will ship the backorder as soon as it arrives

Premium Army Centennial Warrant Officer Saber

The Choice of the Professional Soldier since 1879.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jan 7 at 2019 7:11 PM

2019-01-07T19:11:56-05:00

A cutlass. Because, being an AF officer with no understanding of WOs, I imagine them to be pirates.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 11:48 PM

2019-01-07T23:48:33-05:00

An officer's sabre.
Warrant officers are still officers and most have forgotten more than I will ever know in their area.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2019 1:18 AM

2019-01-08T01:18:00-05:00

I attended one of our CW2's wedding when stationed in Hawaii and, his fellow CW2's all carried officer sabers. It was the damnest thing seeing all those Warrants in one place at the same time. :)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2019 1:46 PM

2019-01-08T13:46:43-05:00

A coffee stirring stick.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Jan 8 at 2019 1:51 PM

2019-01-08T13:51:05-05:00

I think the Warrant Officers carry a Swiss Army Knife with 82 features/functions. It is five inches wide and four inches long. Army Green side panels and not sharpened as that may be dangerous........

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 8 at 2019 2:42 PM

2019-01-08T14:42:45-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, these photos are from Marlow White. The topmost is the officer saber and the bottom is the noncommissioned officer sword.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Jan 8 at 2019 3:06 PM

2019-01-08T15:06:08-05:00

I am pretty sure they carry a Bouie knife

Response by SFC Domingo M. made Jan 19 at 2019 11:10 AM

2019-01-19T11:10:30-05:00

Maybe a fencing sword? What else is left?

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Feb 4 at 2019 4:56 PM

2019-02-04T16:56:42-05:00

A Warrant Officer is called "OFFICER" so whats your question ? Semper Fi.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cichelli made Feb 8 at 2019 7:43 AM

2019-02-08T07:43:25-05:00

Personally, no. But, the are or should be authorized to wear the saber. CW2s and above are in fact commissioned warrants.

Response by SSG(P) Brian Kliesen made Feb 9 at 2019 2:03 PM

2019-02-09T14:03:45-05:00

A very large, self heating, stainless steel, unbreakable, bulletproof and well used coffee cup with lid, the handle also contains a small dagger and the base hides 4 ounces of C-4 with 8 feet of det cord and 2 detonators.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2019 3:21 PM

2019-02-17T15:21:55-05:00

Warrants should carry tomahawks.

Being an officer
is something I saber,
but I have,
a sworded past...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2019 7:46 PM

2019-02-27T19:46:19-05:00

NCO's carry a raiper....the sign of a professional soldier....I would say the warrants should as well.....in the past a commission could be bought

Response by Sgt Charles Welling made Mar 1 at 2019 8:28 AM

2019-03-01T08:28:29-05:00

There is mention of an Army Warrant Officer sword on the net and it is unlike the Officer sword. Whether it is authorized or not is unknown to me. But, Let's use a little logic here: Commissioned officers have a sword, NCOs have a sword. Why would the warrant class be excluded? Logic tells me they would not and, at least in the case of Marines as the Warrant Officer wears the same uniform as the commissioned, I would bet the sword is the same, it is a part of the UNIFORM. Please confirm any Marine officer or Warrant Officer, would like to know.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 1 at 2019 2:11 PM

2019-03-01T14:11:29-05:00

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2019 3:09 PM

2019-03-01T15:09:02-05:00

Mameluke sword for USMC Officers. (W1-O10). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mameluke_sword

Mameluke sword - Wikipedia

A Mameluke sword /ˈmæməluːk/ is a cross-hilted, curved, scimitar-like sword historically derived from sabres used by Mamluk warriors of Mamluk Egypt after whom the sword is named. It is related to the swords of the Seljuq empire. The curved scimitar blades were Central Asian Turkic in origin[1] from where the style migrated to India, Egypt and North Africa[2] and the Turkish kilij. It was adopted in the 19th century by several Western...

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2019 11:24 AM

2019-03-02T11:24:15-05:00

In the warrant officer mafia, we carry a switchblade. It is not visible in dress uniform.

Response by Sgt Steven M. made Mar 2 at 2019 12:46 PM

2019-03-02T12:46:21-05:00

Warrants carry the Officer saber.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2019 1:41 AM

2019-03-03T01:41:01-05:00

It's likely a pirate sword, because Warrants are vagabonds, outlaws, and scallywags that don't play by the laws of civilized people.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Mar 3 at 2019 3:06 AM

2019-03-03T03:06:55-05:00

No self respecting NCO carries a sword.

Response by SMSgt Jeff Kyle made Mar 3 at 2019 11:39 AM

2019-03-03T11:39:36-05:00

The Marine NCO sword was patterned after the Army foot officer’s model 1850 sword.

Response by PO2 John Driskill made Mar 3 at 2019 12:48 PM

2019-03-03T12:48:38-05:00

A US Model 1832 Foot Artillery Sword?

Response by CW3 Joseph Lawrence made Mar 3 at 2019 5:42 PM

2019-03-03T17:42:41-05:00

As a retired Logistics Warrant, I would say we would carry a hammer with the inscription God of Battle on it. Since all others would be naked, starving and without vehicles and ammunition. To quote Field Marshal Rommel, "The Battle is Fought and Won by the Quartermasters, before the First Shot is Fired" No need for a sword for such power.

Response by LTC Gene Moser made Mar 3 at 2019 10:27 PM

2019-03-03T22:27:48-05:00

I think about the only time I've seen army officers or NCOs with a saber or sword was at an Arlington funeral.

Response by SSG Tommy Garmon made Mar 4 at 2019 1:28 PM

2019-03-04T13:28:48-05:00

It.would be a sword due to the fact warrant is a senior NCO rank. Unless that.has changed

Response by COL Charles Cook made Mar 4 at 2019 6:58 PM

2019-03-04T18:58:02-05:00

Lol

Response by PO2 Richard James Burgess III made Mar 6 at 2019 3:01 AM

2019-03-06T03:01:02-05:00

A rapier maybe?

Response by PO2 Richard James Burgess III made Mar 6 at 2019 3:04 AM

2019-03-06T03:04:16-05:00

How about a rapier?

Response by SGT Jeremy Boyd made Mar 6 at 2019 10:26 AM

2019-03-06T10:26:28-05:00

They should carry a magic wand so they can cast a spell when they disappear.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Mar 6 at 2019 11:38 PM

2019-03-06T23:38:12-05:00

WO's are a relatively "New" rank to the Armed Forces, so no, they are not authorized a Saber, Sword, Rapier, Epee. Besides, not all of us want to wear our Brag Sheets on our Uniform

Response by SSgt Gordon Rowell made Mar 7 at 2019 3:48 PM

2019-03-07T15:48:45-05:00

are army ncos authorized to carry swords?

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Mar 9 at 2019 2:34 PM

2019-03-09T14:34:14-05:00

All Warrant Officers are, now, considered commissioned officers, as such they would wear the saber.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Mar 9 at 2019 4:24 PM

2019-03-09T16:24:15-05:00

A lightsaber.

Response by SGT Corey Hunt made Mar 9 at 2019 5:26 PM

2019-03-09T17:26:29-05:00

A Katana, just for the hell of it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2019 9:39 PM

2019-03-12T21:39:42-04:00

Five iron in a Sunday bag...

Response by SSG Omar Ruiz-Canales made Mar 13 at 2019 10:47 PM

2019-03-13T22:47:09-04:00

A Katana!!!!

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Mar 31 at 2019 8:30 AM

2019-03-31T08:30:08-04:00

Warrant officers do have an official ceremonial cutlass see it now!

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Mar 31 at 2019 7:36 PM

2019-03-31T19:36:28-04:00

This is Simple. The Warrant Officer is A OFFICER.
So they would carry a officers saber.
Now being that The Warant Officers I have know Helicopter pilots.
Never had seen them in Dress Uniform

Response by CSM Clifford Fargason made Apr 1 at 2019 7:14 AM

2019-04-01T07:14:50-04:00

I have read all the responses, but in truth, the warrant officers actually have a unique blade all their own. We just never see it because they only wear it when they don their cloak of invisibility. We aren't supposed to know about the cloak either.

Response by CPT Ted Encinas made Apr 2 at 2019 3:33 PM

2019-04-02T15:33:42-04:00

The Warrant Officer being in a situation between that of an NCO and CO, would depend on the position in which the WO is held. Example of a Special Forces Warrant Officer he is the assistant ODA Executive Officer and when the Team splits to operate as two 6 man teams the WO becomes the CO of that split team to which he has been placed in charge of. Therefore in my opinion he would carry the Officers Saber as opposed to the sword.
T. Encinas, Veteran USA Special Forces, Capt.

Response by 1LT Luke Flowers made Apr 3 at 2019 9:36 PM

2019-04-03T21:36:21-04:00

They should carry a small mace. Or a very decorative dagger. Or both. One on each side of their hip. Good for flying and hitting things to make them work and jumping through warlock portals and other Warrant Officer stuff...

Response by PFC Chris Baker made Apr 4 at 2019 7:26 PM

2019-04-04T19:26:42-04:00

A Rapier? Seriously though, a butter knife. J/K lol

Response by SSG Paul Carrier made Apr 5 at 2019 2:49 PM

2019-04-05T14:49:00-04:00

Coffee cup

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2019 7:26 PM

2019-04-05T19:26:23-04:00

Broad sword

Response by LCpl Wilbur Walk Jr made Apr 5 at 2019 7:40 PM

2019-04-05T19:40:14-04:00

Cloak Of Invisibility

Response by SFC Terry Wilcox made Apr 7 at 2019 6:31 PM

2019-04-07T18:31:10-04:00

Good work Sir! But you still did not answer the Initial Question. What Saber or Sword does the Warrant Officer carry?

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Apr 7 at 2019 9:39 PM

2019-04-07T21:39:34-04:00

For Coast Guard Warrants we would wear the standards officers sword. But I decided that I really didn’t feel like shelling out $450 for an over sized butter knife that can’t hold an edge. That and Whites would have set me back another $400.

So I volunteered to go TAD the first time I would have had to wear them, then took leave the only other time. That was it for my 8 years as a CWO. But to each their own.

Response by Lt Col Robert Canfield made Apr 8 at 2019 4:14 AM

2019-04-08T04:14:01-04:00

Warrant Officers are known for their technical expertise and unique set of skills. So... I would think a custom built light sabre would be appropriate. I am sure that their steadfast resourcefulness would be tested when trying to acquire Kyber crystals from the Quartermaster Corps, as these materials are rare, frequently in short supply, and tightly controlled by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Response by Lt Col Robert Canfield made Apr 8 at 2019 10:52 AM

2019-04-08T10:52:39-04:00

Response by CPT Kevin Hunt made Apr 9 at 2019 9:29 PM

2019-04-09T21:29:51-04:00

Traditionally only the horse mounted officers e.g. Cav and Arty wore sabers; the rest wore swords.

Response by CMDCM Tom Vinson made Apr 12 at 2019 7:12 PM

2019-04-12T19:12:05-04:00

Warrant Officers are commissioned officers, so an officer's saber would be appropriate.

Response by LTC Ronald Stephens made Apr 20 at 2019 9:44 PM

2019-04-20T21:44:54-04:00

Notwithstanding attack aircraft pilots, warrant officers are not purposely combat soldiers, they are support type officers in specialized fields. In today's military sabers/swords are for ceremonial events that warrant (no pun) their being worn. I would suggest that any ceremonial situation requiring the wearing of a saber or sword, a warrant officer would wear the saber. Warrant officers were introduced into the military in July, 1918 so as military ranks go they are Johnny-come-latelys. No disrespect to warrant officers meant here.

Response by CSM Robert J. "Bob" Parr, RD made Apr 22 at 2019 12:57 PM

2019-04-22T12:57:33-04:00

It would be appropriate that a Warrant Officer carry the Saber as do Commissioned Officers. I would believe that we should follow the precedent of our four other sister Armed Services.

Response by SFC Ssg Sabin made Apr 25 at 2019 6:37 PM

2019-04-25T18:37:25-04:00

My only exposure to this rare breed was while assigned to a LRRP Plt. with UHID's and their crews. I can never find enough words of praise for their bravery, and dedication to the mission; as well as to each of us! I witnessed one of them landed through a cooperative effort of the pilot (took a round in the shoulder) and the crew chief (co-pilot was KIA). Hay, dress swords? Strictly for peacetime show and tell duty. I think they should wear part of a rotor blade if they wanted to!

Response by Maj Wayne Crist made May 1 at 2019 5:58 PM

2019-05-01T17:58:54-04:00

Hmm how about a Bowie knife.

Response by CSM William Payne made May 5 at 2019 5:01 PM

2019-05-05T17:01:18-04:00

Chief Warrant Officers 2 and above are considered Commissioned Officers. Given that, all of the uniform regulations for officers applies to them, to include carrying the officer Sabre.

Response by SP5 David Vining made May 6 at 2019 9:52 PM

2019-05-06T21:52:27-04:00

My brother, Donald M. Vining, mustered out of the US Coast Guard as a Warrant Officer-4 over 32 years in his dress whites and carried a sheathed saber that he still has. The ceremony was held at Washington DC in front of hundreds of witnesses. At that muster he was the fifth highest enlisted man in the Guard after achieving E-9 first, then ranking through the Warrant ranks.

Response by SP5 David Vining made May 6 at 2019 9:57 PM

2019-05-06T21:57:31-04:00

My brother mustered out of the US Coast Guard as a Warrant Officer 4 over 32 years. The ceremony was held at Washington DC in front of hundreds. With his dress whites he wore his saber that he still has. At that muster, he was the fifth highest enlisted man in the Guard after first achieving his E-9 before going through the Warrant ranks.

Response by SSgt Daniel d'Errico made May 7 at 2019 5:31 PM

2019-05-07T17:31:17-04:00

I have never seen a W/O in formal dress with anything other than his gloves. If the were a ceremonial weapon for W/Os, it might be a Rapier. W/Os need to chime in on this subject.

Response by CWO2 Andrew Bolander made May 8 at 2019 11:25 AM

2019-05-08T11:25:35-04:00

A Centennial Saber

Response by MSgt Joseph Holness made May 8 at 2019 11:26 AM

2019-05-08T11:26:04-04:00

I have always wondered why US Military Officers and NCOs even carry swords or sabers when A) What's the Point of carrying a weapon you won't use and B) Most US Military Personnel who carry / wear swords & sabers with their dress uniforms don't even know how to use them. Some of my Old World relatives that were in the Military in Europe actually did know how to use swords and the ones they wore on their uniforms were actual functional weapons and not decorative. Personally, I don't think somebody should carry or wear weapons (even if it is for dress uniform events) unless you know how to use them (Just My Opinion) As for myself, I have limited training & experience with swords and lots of training & experience with knives and don't carry them around unless its for a functional reason. Of course during my Military Career I never had to partake in an event that required me to wear a sword or saber.

Response by CWO2 Shelby DuBois made May 10 at 2019 11:57 AM

2019-05-10T11:57:27-04:00

You carry the prescribed sword of your branch of service befitting your rank. Warrant Officers are no longer enlisted. Honestly though, Warrant Officers should carry Excalibur.

Response by Cpl Jackson Spurlock made May 11 at 2019 12:01 AM

2019-05-11T00:01:39-04:00

A Warrant Officer is exactly that...They enjoy the same privileges as commissioned officers so in effect they carry the officer saber...

Response by CW4 Dana Ahl made May 11 at 2019 12:11 PM

2019-05-11T12:11:20-04:00

I would think as a commisioned Officer, we would carry the Officer saber, although I would be inclined to carry a Claymor as that would bridge the enlisted and officer.

Response by PO2 Ed Taylor made May 30 at 2019 10:06 AM

2019-05-30T10:06:53-04:00

in the navy an officer would carry a sword. th chief petty officer carries a chiefs cutlass. the rank and file use their bare hands. ( no sword ) if a navy Warrant were to carry a sword it would have a black frog and black and silver handle and silver guard with silver scabbard. The warrant appointed officers differ greatly through out our armed forces. Example the navy can only promote to warrant from within the enlisted ranks, normally and a warrant can be i almost any classification 1 thru 4. In the army warrants fly helicopters along side majors. different services have different functions for warrants.
ED TAYLOR BMSN, CN , EO2, EN MR, US NAVY
CBT ENG, TNG NCO, SUP SGT, PATHFINDER. US ARMY/ARNG/CAC

Response by SSG Christopher Parrish made May 30 at 2019 1:45 PM

2019-05-30T13:45:46-04:00

I always thought Warrant Officers carried around a drink umbrella?

Response by SPC Brian Pritchard/Hall made Jun 1 at 2019 7:01 PM

2019-06-01T19:01:44-04:00

My dad never had on he was JAG CW3 when he retired. But back then 1983 CW only went to 4. I hear it’s different now.

Response by SP5 George Traylor made Jun 14 at 2019 11:04 AM

2019-06-14T11:04:45-04:00

Dirk! make em special for the WOs

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2020 11:44 PM

2020-02-14T23:44:08-05:00

https://www.marlowwhite.com/army-warrant-officer-centennial-saber

Army Warrant Officer Centennial Saber

Nickel-plated brass Hand-polished Free ground shipping

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Oct 30 at 2020 12:51 AM

2020-10-30T00:51:25-04:00

Okay, its splitting hairs but legally, the only true Warrant Officers are WO-1s. Chief Warrant Officers 2, 3, 4 and Master Warrant Officers 5 are commissioned officers. They would all wear the officer sabre if they wore an edged weapon. (BTW - since I am being technical - sabers are curved and swords are not.)