The Knife hand! Does the knife hand need to go?

SSG Philip Cotton — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:22:09 -0500

I've been knife handed many times in my short career in the Army. Mainly from my sarcastic attitude. There is been alot of talk about the knife hand being banned and no longer allowed for use in the Reeducation of a Soldier, Sailor, Maine or Airman. What are your thoughts? Hey Hey Ho Ho the Knife Hands got to go? Or does this military need more Knife Hand?<br>

Response by CPT Mike M. made Jan 27 at 2014 2:06 PM

CPT Mike M. — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 14:06:06 -0500

I've got a fever...and the only cure...is more knife hands!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 3:35 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:35:08 -0500

Timeline, (I'm sure I'll miss something.)

No beating, no finger poking, no bouncing the brown round off of the bridge of the nose, no cussing, no finger pointing, no knife hands. Can we still raise our voice?

Next thing you know, we won't be able smoke/thrash someone.

Are we getting soft?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 4:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 16:35:31 -0500

Intermission: Don't take it too seriously! LoL

Soldier Dropped From WLC After Terrorizing Fellow Students With ‘Knife Hands’

CAMP SHELBY, MS - The Army’s Warrior Leader Course is a big step in a soldiers’ progression to Staff Sergeant. Sergeants take part in field leadership exercises, physical training, and operations. But...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 7:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 19:37:32 -0500

Is this even a real question?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 7:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 19:56:16 -0500

Many moons ago, I was told by my Drill Sergeants that it's impolite to point the finger at someone, hence the knife hand.

Let's keep it!

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 27 at 2014 8:08 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 20:08:25 -0500

The Humanitarium Service Medal has what looks like a knife hand which symbolizes giving or a helping hand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_Service_Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) is a military service medal of the United States Armed Forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under Executive Order 11965. This meda...

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 1:58 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 13:58:23 -0500

MORE KNIFE HANDS!<br>

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 7:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 19:13:07 -0500

My drill sergeant apparently had to check his knife hand into airport security before flying anywhere. I like em and I think they should stay.

Response by SFC Dennis Lautenbach made Apr 6 at 2016 9:18 AM

SFC Dennis Lautenbach — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 09:18:29 -0400

If this is all we have to worry about then I'd say our beloved Army has everything working perfectly. We all know however that it doesn't. So my opinion is lets focus on important issues.

Response by PO3 Ricky Foster made Oct 1 at 2016 4:13 PM

PO3 Ricky Foster — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 16:13:43 -0400

Sure let it go, lets keep turning our military into a bunch of whinny baby's. Don't forget the "safe place" when the war gets to form them. Instead of baby wipes we can now sent baby diapers!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2016 4:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 16:18:04 -0400

Definitely needs more

Response by CAPT Dave Woodard made Oct 1 at 2016 4:44 PM

CAPT Dave Woodard — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 16:44:28 -0400

A knife-hand is a required training gesture used to avoid a closed fist and the immediate throat-punch reaction!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2016 4:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 16:51:12 -0400

Yea ok that's stupid what turd or POG thought of this!!!!

Response by SFC Kingsley Adams made Oct 1 at 2016 5:11 PM

SFC Kingsley Adams — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 17:11:46 -0400

Can't even believe this is a discussion.

Response by SSG Ray Murphy made Oct 1 at 2016 5:28 PM

SSG Ray Murphy — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 17:28:39 -0400

The military used to produce members with mental, and physical fortitude. A lot of it was the crust built up from getting the knife hand, and other training enhancements....

Response by PVT Jesse Young made Oct 1 at 2016 5:48 PM

PVT Jesse Young — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 17:48:12 -0400

I don't know if what i was told was real but one Sgt told me it's a good habit to get into if you are going overseas. the Iraq local nationals don't like being pointed at or directed to something with only a finger, they take it as an insult, as being treated like a child. "Use your entire hand to point, give direction, or tell someone to go to you. We have enough enemies over here, we don't need to make things worse by insulting people."

Response by SGT Justin Singleton made Oct 1 at 2016 6:15 PM

SGT Justin Singleton — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 18:15:12 -0400

Why on earth is this a question?

Response by SGT Justin Singleton made Oct 1 at 2016 6:15 PM

SGT Justin Singleton — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 18:15:12 -0400

Why on earth is this a question?

Response by Cpl Jw Daigle made Oct 1 at 2016 7:24 PM

Cpl Jw Daigle — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 19:24:17 -0400

Why get rid of it if you can't handle that your not going to be able to handle much your short career is going to throw at you

Response by SSG Jim Foreman made Oct 1 at 2016 8:06 PM

SSG Jim Foreman — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 20:06:08 -0400

I know I'm a old soldier but........my god stop being such sniveling little bitches. Life is hard and the military should be harder. It is one of the very few professions that being lazy and doing things half ass can get you or someone else killed. And yes I use bad words and apparently they hurt some people. All I can say is suck it up and carry on.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Oct 2 at 2016 1:48 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 01:48:52 -0400

There are no "safe spaces" in the military.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 2:31 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 02:31:28 -0400

I tell you what. I can't believe this is even being discusssed. How sensitive are we nowadays. After you get rid of combat patches now this silly idea. How about we all get some thicker skin. Then maybe after you do that we can give you a trophy for your participation.

Response by CPO Randy Francis made Oct 2 at 2016 7:50 AM

CPO Randy Francis — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 07:50:37 -0400

Is this seriously a problem or just another millennial whine?

Response by PVT Jeff Brandt Jr. made Oct 2 at 2016 8:32 AM

PVT Jeff Brandt Jr. — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 08:32:49 -0400

I think the knife hand needs to stay. It's been 17 years since I went through basic. I can't believe how SOFT our military has gotten!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 9:10 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 09:10:51 -0400

You provide no specific reason as to why it doesn't belong. If you had a legitimate reason for why it no longer yas a place in the Military thats one thing. But tell us what you think. For or against? I think it's fine. Doesn't harm anyone physically. Maybe it damages millennial feelings, not sure.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 2:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 14:29:14 -0400

Keep the knife hand

Response by CSM Michael Sweeney made Oct 2 at 2016 2:45 PM

CSM Michael Sweeney — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 14:45:19 -0400

I see this topic is a couple years old with some recent comments added. I went through Army Instructor Training in 1973 when assigned as an AIT Instructor. We were taught then that the "Hatchet" hand as it was called was preferred to finger pointing. We became used to using it to show direction, such as "go two blocks that way" or you soldier need to be more like this soldier. Whatever. Not a derogatory thing, but a thing more preferable to finger pointing which was demeaning if pointing it at someone. Like so many things though .... When it is used strictly for ass chewing sessions while screaming and cursing, it becomes only demeaning. That being said; for the most part, it is a bit of a training aide during times when time to calmly explain things is a luxury you don't have and the session needs a quick and lasting impression.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 3:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:22:04 -0400

Whiny, entitled, little bitches. Keep the knife hand!!!

Response by SPC Alexander Brandt made Oct 2 at 2016 6:59 PM

SPC Alexander Brandt — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 18:59:08 -0400

"A lot of talk"? From whom? I haven't seen the topic crop up anywhere?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 12:07 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:07:37 -0400

I think knife hands should be supplemented with throat punches.

Response by SPC Kenneth Gautreaux made Oct 3 at 2016 5:28 PM

SPC Kenneth Gautreaux — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 17:28:49 -0400

Knife hand needs to stay!!! Since todays cupcakes are so easily offended, and pointing a finger at someone would definitely have them stroking out!! The knife hand is a PC way of designating someone out of a crowd!!

Response by MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan made Oct 3 at 2016 7:45 PM

MSgt James "Buck" Buchanan — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 19:45:12 -0400

Comes down to, what makes you a stronger person..discipline or political correctness? There is both positive and negative feedback; if you learn the appropriate lesson from the negative then you experience more of the positive.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Oct 3 at 2016 9:05 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 21:05:32 -0400

I had never heard of "knife hand" until I read it on RP. Of course lots of things have changed since the stone ages. I had also never heard of being "on the trail" either.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Oct 4 at 2016 10:41 AM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 10:41:54 -0400

I am o.k. with the knife hand.

Response by TSgt Jennifer Disch made Nov 20 at 2016 12:31 PM

TSgt Jennifer Disch — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 12:31:19 -0500

Really?

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Nov 21 at 2016 12:35 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:35:58 -0500

The knife hand stays!

Response by PFC Jacob Daniels made Jul 22 at 2017 8:38 AM

PFC Jacob Daniels — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 08:38:31 -0400

Hahahahaha. The knife hand should stay. To this day I know when I messed up due to the knife hand and expect it from the ceiling at work when i mess up. It is to me at least motivation to un f@#k myself quick

Response by SGT Charles H. Hawes made Oct 29 at 2017 11:01 AM

SGT Charles H. Hawes — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 11:01:42 -0400

Absolutely not! People we are trained to be hard and to do the job of killing the enemy. If you can't take a hand gesture then maybe you should rethink why you volunteered for the military.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 29 at 2017 11:37 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 11:37:06 -0400

Why is this even a question? A hand gesture being banned?! Why?! This makes no sense. What exactly does a knife hand do that is worth 'banning' the gesture? Does it cause physical harm? Do those who receive a knife hand develop a fast acting and incurable cancer? Does giving a knife hand start a chain reaction that causes an angel to lose its wings, fall from Heaven, hit a satellite on the way down, make the satellite fall from orbit, and eventually kill a puppy when it hits the ground?!

I've been on the opposite end of a knife and and I didn't care. I've also chewed some ass and used a knife hand. I really don't see what the big deal is.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 30 at 2017 10:41 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 10:41:56 -0400

In Instructor Training Course I was taught to use the knife hand instead of pointing at someone.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 10 at 2018 9:22 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 10 May 2018 09:22:13 -0400

If that is all you have to worry about, think someone needs to find some detail work for you to supervise.

Response by SFC Clinton D. Washington made Feb 21 at 2019 9:42 PM

SFC Clinton D. Washington — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 21:42:24 -0500

No in deed. "Required to provide guidance."

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Feb 21 at 2019 10:12 PM

CW3 Harvey K. — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 22:12:03 -0500

What do you replace it with ... a knife in the hand?

Response by Sgt Charles Welling made Feb 21 at 2019 10:29 PM

Sgt Charles Welling — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 22:29:05 -0500

Sounds like your attitude needs to go. Do 13 weeks at Parris Island and find out a wus worries about a knife hand...……………….

Response by SrA Michael Webster made Feb 21 at 2019 11:41 PM

SrA Michael Webster — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 23:41:29 -0500

You've been knife handed from your sarcastic behavior? That's some epic level sarcastic behavior you have there!

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Feb 21 at 2019 11:51 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 23:51:21 -0500

Nobody pulls a knife on me.I have a small blade in my pocket

Response by LTC John Griscom made Feb 22 at 2019 7:55 AM

LTC John Griscom — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 07:55:09 -0500

Great use of emphasis.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2019 10:17 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 10:17:19 -0500

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2019 7:55 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 19:55:27 -0500

If it goes how am I supposed to tell my 4 year old where things are...or correct him on anything?

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made Mar 16 at 2019 3:13 AM

CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 03:13:33 -0400

Being old school, it stays as needed!!! Doc Bradshaw

Response by SSG Andres Guarnizo made Oct 22 at 2019 10:17 AM

SSG Andres Guarnizo — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 10:17:38 -0400

Get rid of the knife hand? (I just fell out of my chair). Are we going to start to deploy our troops with pens and paper rather then guns and bullets? Is this a mall security company or something? Next thing the troops will be running around in pink camo.

Nothing better then some good ole fashioned communication down into the soldiers soul and for that, welcome the knife hand. No cussing, no smoking, no pointing, or you can offend a soldier? Will our enemy take this into consideration? Do not continue to restrict our leaders with what little tools are left in our rucksack.

Response by Sgt Justin Pratt made Nov 18 at 2019 8:57 AM

Sgt Justin Pratt — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 08:57:51 -0500

Think about it this way... you point your finger at someone to correct an issue. You have 3 fingers pointing back at you. See the problem?!! With the knife hand, all fingers are pointing at the problem!! Plus you can use your knife hand as a weapon!! Also, Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2022 8:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 20:20:35 -0400

Why would it possibly need to go? Would it be better to simply point at someone? Do fingers being pointed at you physically injure you? If it’s simply a matter of your feelings then suck it up and drive on, your feelings are yours and not anyone else’s concern or issue.

Response by Sgt Roy Perrin made Sep 29 at 2022 4:12 PM

Sgt Roy Perrin — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 16:12:29 -0400

Granted, it's the military and not the civilian world, but are we so sensitive now that our feelings have to dictate how others use hand gestures? Will your feelings matter when someone is pointing a gun or a real knife at you? I don't think so.