Pace Sticks and Drill Canes

[GGHG_Cadet]

I was wondering who carries what. At camp the camp RSM, the cadet RSM, and all the CSMs carried pace sticks so I was wondering who the heck carries a drill cane then?

 

[MikeM]

Well I beleive the DSM and RSM carry the pace sticks. In my corps I‘m a CSM and I carry a drill cane, as well as the other sergeant majors in my corps.

The RSM is the only one in our corps who carries the pace stick. It would make sense for a DSM and RSM to carry pace sticks because they are directly involved with overseeing drill, and doing pacings, etc..

 

[GGHG_Cadet]

Then what is the drill cane for?

 

[Matt0304]

Beating people...hehehe

 

[army_chicky]

Do they really beat people with the drill canes? what do they beat them for? is canada‘s army cadets more stricter than australia‘s?

 

[chriscalow]

Ok. In cadets the RSM and the DSM only should have pace sticks. A CSM or SSM should have a drill cane. In my corps the RSM has a drill cane but that is because we are poor. I am 2799. The Sargeant Majors are unfortunately not allowed to beat people with their canes/sticks. But If a Leader finds it necessary to hit a cadet with his or her stick, well then they are not much of a leader are they?

The reason that an RSM or DSM should have a "PACE STICK" is because they are responsible for the DRILL Dress and Deportment of the Corps, squadron or Regiment. Thus facilitating the need for a pace stick.

I actually retired from cadets tonight but would still hope to be corrected if I am wrong, but if not I hope this helps.

 

[leader]

Originally posted by qy rang cdt:
[qb]

The reason that an RSM or DSM should have a "PACE STICK" is because they are responsible for the DRILL Dress and Deportment of the Corps, squadron or Regiment. Thus facilitating the need for a pace stick.

[/qb]

Does anybody know about sea cadets and pace sticks? I‘m the chief gunner of my corps which is equivlent to the DSM. At camp a pace stick used to be given to the best gunner, but has been since replaced with a drill cane, so I figure we may be allowed to use them at LHQ. Is there a CATO anywhere that outlines/restircts the use of pace sticks for sea cadets that you know of?

 

[chriscalow]

I wish I could find an awnser to this question. In all honesty, I‘ve seen pretty much everyone from master corporal and up carry a pace stick. Not always in cadet world of course. I really dont know the exact rules about this.

 

[GGHG_Cadet]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. My DSM doesn‘t carry anything but my RSM carries a sword. Does anyone else‘s carry a sword.

 

[L/MCpl_Argyll_ Kurrgan]

RSM‘s should only carry a sword on a Change of Colour parade. Officers carry swords.

 

[leader]

I was under the impression that cadets carried cutlasses and officers swords.

 

[Danjanou]

qy rang cdt

A pace stick is a teaching aid for drill, therefore it is theoretically possible for M/Cpl or even a Cpl to carry one presuming that he/she was engaged in instructing drill and had a need for it at the time. It would also help if they actually knew how to use it too.

For more formal parades it (depending on unit) is looked on more as a "badge of office" and therefore will probably only be carried by the RSM and DSM or (RQMS) and/or CSM/SSM.

Sometimes you‘ll also see and RSM and more rarely a CSM carrying a sword too. IIRC this is fairly common in Highland Regiments (at least the two I served with). Often the pace stick is also carried as the sword will remain sheathed throughout the parade.

On my QL7 (MWO) course we had drill mutuals in ceremonial drill requiring the use for both swords(Who do you think teaches junior officers) and pace sticks. Naturally this meant taking both from the shacks to the classrooms every day. We also had plenty of classroom lectures and homework.

You really haven‘t lived until you‘ve seen a platoon of Warrant Officers marching from point A to B all wearing sword belts, carrying pace sticks and with briefcases and QRO Vol 1-3 under our arms.

 

[elscotto937]

As most of the people commenting, are from various Cadet units and units across Canada, everyone must appreciate that there are regimental differences in the cerimonial carrying of the Drill cane or the Pace stick. It is interesting that some regimental traditions are held easier in the Cadet unit than the unit that they are supported by.

 

[cdhoult]

Originally posted by leader:
[qb]

Originally posted by qy rang cdt:
[qb]

The reason that an RSM or DSM should have a "PACE STICK" is because they are responsible for the DRILL Dress and Deportment of the Corps, squadron or Regiment. Thus facilitating the need for a pace stick.

[/qb]

Does anybody know about sea cadets and pace sticks? I‘m the chief gunner of my corps which is equivlent to the DSM. At camp a pace stick used to be given to the best gunner, but has been since replaced with a drill cane, so I figure we may be allowed to use them at LHQ. Is there a CATO anywhere that outlines/restircts the use of pace sticks for sea cadets that you know of? [/qb]

(Yes, I know this post is old...but it seems the answer isn‘t lying around...)

To answer your question in short: No, you cannot use a Pace Stick or Drill Cane. While I‘m aware than HMCS Ontario DOES award this, it does not mean it can be used. Much like every TG3 Gunner is issued a Gunners Chain, however, being a TG3 Gunner does not entitle you to wear it (Ref: CATO 35-01 Annex E Para 23 [I think that‘s the right para..]).

The Pace Stick and Drill Cane would fall under the, "If it‘s not mentioned, it‘s not authorized" segment that most dress regs contain. I believe the background that that is that it‘s simply not naval. Much like Air Cadets don‘t use cutlasses, and Army Cadet don‘t wear lanyard around our necks. Each element has it‘s own proud traditions.

As for Sea Cadets and Swords/Cutlasses...Sea Cadets will only carry a cutlass, as on the nautical side of things, a sword is a sign of a commission, and that of a gentleman. The Cutlass, more used a close combat/thrasing, etc, was more for the NCM‘s to use. Only a Sea Cadet in charge of a group of Men Under Arms may use a cutlass (It‘s the last para in 35-01 Annex E...can‘t remember the number).

As for the army side, well, I‘m still learning I just came from Sea Cadets, so I‘m green for the last year or so of my cadet career. It was hard giving up the Coat of Arms...but I‘ll get over it. It‘s been quite the experience already!

CH

 

[Franko]

Well here it goes for cadets who are affilliated to a Armoured Regiment.

RSM...Pace stick/Blackthorne
SSM...drill cane/Blackthorne
Troop WO...drill cane/Blackthorne
Troop Sgt...Drill cane only

The Blackthorne canes were given to the 8CH by the Irish Hussars as a gift by the sister Regiment. As I recall the 8CH cadets were given permission for special occasions only to use these canes. It was only done once to my recollection.

The RSM NEVER carries a sword...only a pistol holster(painted black...goes to our calvery heritedge)

Sword bearers are the colour party escorts ONLY.

And of course in keeping with our calvery heritege, the calvery halt is performed whilst on parade.

Hope this answers some of your question.

Regards

 

[GGHG_Cadet]

Thanks for all of your very imformative posts. I guess my corp is a bit strange because our troop WOs and DSM never carried drill canes or pace sticks and my RSM wears a sam brown with a sword attached. Our current RSM knows proper sword drill which he learned from a former commanding officer, Major McCabe.

 

[Franko]

Is your affiliated Regiment GGHG?

 

[GGHG_Cadet]

Yes it is.

 

[Franko]

I‘m quite sure that those traditions aren‘t part of your afil Reg traditions(Armour)

Can‘t understand why the GGHG would allow this to happen.

Oh well. As long as th troops are having fun...that‘s all that matters.

Regards

 

[GGHG_Cadet]

They‘d rather not have anything to do with us. The CO and Rsm come to our annual inspections and that‘s the only time we have contact with the Horse Guards. Guess it‘s cause there are two corps and the other one parades at the armoury with the Horse Guards.