Saber arch question

TeadaCailin

My friend is marrying an Army officer and wants to have a saber arch at the wedding. The bearers are going to be her FI's friends (all Army officers) and her father (an Air Force officer). Her brother is E3, can he also participate in the saber arch?

Thanks!

calindi

Good question!  I'm pretty sure it has to be Os or NCOs participating, but someone else (Stan?) can clarify.  Or probably iluvmytxrgr as she's more familiar with Army rules and regs.

crownsuperstar

I don't think an E3 can be a part of the arch.  Then again I am not completely sure.

kyrgyzstan

Both Army regs and AF regs matter here. Who is necessary for an Army arch? There will be a reg on it. Does the A1C rate to carry a sword? It's unlikely, but google for a reg.

TeadaCailin

Thanks ladies, that's what I figured. Most of the groomsmen are 1st LTs and CPTs but the dad is a LTC, is he supposed to be in a certain place (ex. the front?)

TeadaCailin

this is (obviously) a very military heavy family on both sides, so she's worried about doing things right!

calindi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_saber-arch-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:9490ea15-5ace-4dab-9f7e-c8733c1a7f1bPost:ead40789-b052-4a97-9f15-02467640694b">Re: Saber arch question</a>:
[QUOTE]this is (obviously) a very military heavy family on both sides, so she's worried about doing things right! :)
Posted by TeadaCailin[/QUOTE]

If the family is very military-focused, perhaps have them organize the arch?  I dont know a lot of the regs, so I'm having my FI's Best Man who is a total "moto-head" (Marine-talk for a USMC nerd) organize it.

iluvmytxrgr

The E3 won't be able to participate.  Maybe she can find something else for him to do that is special. 

CozyHeart13

I don't know about regs for your own sabre arch and whatnot, but I know base honor guards (AF anyway) consist of enlisted personnel, many of whom are lower enlisted, and they can provide an arch for ceremonies and weddings. My ALS graduation actually consisted of walking through a sabre arch that was E6 and below. But things might be different if you aren't using a base honor guard. Not much help, I know, but I thought I would throw that out there. Maybe the brother can contact his base honor guard and get more specific info from them.

iluvmytxrgr

Yes, you can participate in an arch if you are enlisted.  However, you do not rate a sword unless you are an NCO.  Sabers are for Officers.  An E3 is neither, is not authorized either and can not participate in the arch. 
Also, most base Honor Guards no longer provide that service. 

kyrgyzstan

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_saber-arch-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:9490ea15-5ace-4dab-9f7e-c8733c1a7f1bPost:0b733b95-0d76-4fd2-a042-c11b63f63edc">Re: Saber arch question</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know about regs for your own sabre arch and whatnot, but I know base honor guards (AF anyway) consist of enlisted personnel, many of whom are lower enlisted, and they can provide an arch for ceremonies and weddings. My ALS graduation actually consisted of walking through a sabre arch that was E6 and below. But things might be different if you aren't using a base honor guard. Not much help, I know, but I thought I would throw that out there. Maybe the brother can contact his base honor guard and get more specific info from them.
Posted by CozyHeart13[/QUOTE]
 Yeah, but not just any A1C rates a sword though. Don't only members of the Honor Guard rate it? Not just like, "Hey Ammo A1C, strap on your sword/sabre, we've got a party!"

iluvmytxrgr

Exactly, Stan.

CozyHeart13

I'm sure they do. That wasn't my point really. I was just trying to say that the Honor Guard would have more information. Can an Ammo A1C volunteer for the Honor Guard and then during that time also participate in a sabre arch at a family wedding or can he only do it with the honor guard? I don't know the answer to that but I'm sure if I called someone in the honor guard here and asked, they would know. I was simply saying that while it seems everyone on here tends to say you have to be an officer or NCO to participate in a sabre arch, based on my experience that isn't necessarily the case. I was just trying to point out that he could contact his base honor guard for more information.

iluvmytxrgr

In my expirience, an E3 only rates a sword while as a member of an Honor Guard and only durring those duties.  He would not be able to be a part of an arch outside of the Honor Guard that he is a member of. 
Like I said, most Honor Guards no longer do wedding arches.