Knives and returning troops

The problem is a thing called General Order 1A, commonly referred to as the NO-FUN Order. This prohibits alcohol, pornography in any form, Knives meeting the following description: Switchblades or assisted opening knives (Benchmade Brand excluded), double edged, brass knuckle handled, concealed blades (sword canes, umbrella blades, ect.) blades over 14 inches.

Then it gets into stuff like historical and cultural artifacts, non US issued comm gear, Iraqi IDs, weapons, ammo, explosives, Iraqi and Kuwaiti license plates and more.
 
will62 said:
I personally will not confiscate any knife that is of major maker, even though some of the people I work with enjoy taking knives from people. It is a hard thing to take a knife from some one knowing it will be destroyed since I collect as well as use.

There is currently an order to confiscate Kershaw assisted openers even though they are sold in the PX. This also includes assisted openers from other manufacturers. I am trying to go through channels about this issue so people can take these home.
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OK, you're right, that IS ridiculous. There's a lot of companies that go out of their way and cut into their profits to send mobilized soldiers good knives, and there's no call to have those taken away, especially when they're perfectly legal both where they are and where they're going, and aren't being confiscated for any concrete reason.
 
will62 said:
Personally I don't care what kind of a knife people like or buy. If they want it for a wall hanger or because it looks cool that is fine. What gets me is that some are advertised as being something that they are not.

I am not questioning a person's taste or anything when it comes to knives.

As to AG's question as to why I would continue to work for such a S***ty outfit. I didn't have a choice, I got orders mobilizing me for this mission, I packed my bags for up to two years of this. It comes with being a Reservist.
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Sorry, I was not aware that you were a troop. i thought you were an agent of the uscostoms svc. who should have better things to do. I wish I had not said that. A. G.
 
My unit is getting ready to roll to Iraq in the fall. The S4 section just ordered a gazillion $$ worth of Kershaws and BMs. The BMs are NOT the NSNed ones (9053SBT) but they are the identical 9050s. The only distinction is that where the 9050 says "154CM" on the back side of the blade, the 9053 has the 10 didgit NSN in the same font and style.

The Kershaws are all of the AO style, and will be more of a "combat EDC" type.

Point being, every stinking one of them will be confiscated upon returning. Most troops look at them as a small "perk" of doing service for country. How disappointing when they get them taken away on their return. They won't be taken as "weapons" since we all travel with M16s, M4s, M249s, M203s, M9s, etc... Not to mention M9 bayonets. They will just be taken because someone has decided they are "wrong."

I will likely pack mine in the bottom of my bag and hope for the best. But if it's taken, I will smile, thank the customs agent for his/her diligence, and hope I get issued another when I return once again to the sands of Iraq.

p.s. Sorry if this post gets the thread moved to W&C.
 
One more item, when you are going through Customs, if your blade is issued by the unit it will not be taken if your senior NCO or unit commander tells the Customs Inspection Team that they have unit issued knives. Standard issue knives like your bayonets and issue K-Bars will not be taken either.

If you have Iraqi bayonets make sure you have the proper form filled out and signed before the inspection. This way you can take home a bayonet or other Iraqi knife.
 
Will62,

Can you post or reference the exact reg/message for that (or PM me). I prefer to see the regulation in writing to check myself. Been an MP too long myself to trust interpretation. The exception being some local standing policy regarding that.

AR 632-10 used to regulate knives, weapons, contraband, etc., I can't recall exactly what it has changed to now. (Currently in the Army Reserve after 14 years of active duty.)

Please enlighten me.

Thanx,
Ed
______________________
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
 
Icarian,

At least we totally agree that the policy sucks and it is intrusive. I personally never had to perform customs duties but I did have friends who worked it extensively and it does suck for them as well. I have however searched quite a few Korean vehicles coming on base, and trust me for a nation that has a problem w/ pornographic material they sure do carry a lot of it in there cars :D There is certainly no Ill will between you and I. I just occasionally find need to remind folks that it isn't always the "guy at the gates" fault that he or she is the one to enforce policies agreed upon much higher up the chain and usually w/ the host nation government (thats why coming in on commercial carriers is so much more lax).
 
Comming thru customs from Iraq last March, the only posted prohibited knives were switchblades and balisongs. However, that did'nt stop those *******s from confiscating anything they "thought" was contraband including personal cutlery. That also included one soldier's private purchased Leoupold CQB scope. Although I did'nt loose anything, I would'nt hesitate to pop one of those *******s if I ever bumped into them again. Makes me wonder sometimes who the real enemy is.
 
I departed via KCIA in December 2003, and customs there didn't take my Strider fixed blade. I would have lost my cool if they tried to. I guess I was lucky.
 
Why dont they just wear the knife around their neck or in a pocket for the return journey.

This reminds me of Aliens when the Lt. tells them no firing. One guys says, 'What are we supposed to use, harsh language?'
 
They wand everybody and then you go thru an airport metal detector when you go into lockdown prior to loading the buses for the trip to KCIAP. I was more pissed at the Navy and Air Force customs inspectors who checked our stuff prior to leaving for Doha. But hey, REMF dorks hasseling combat troops is as old as war.
 
will62 said:
Policy here is that the only switchblades to leave this Area of Operations are Benchmade brand knives or ones issued by your unit.
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That sucks. You'd think that civilian laws (switchblade importation) wouldn't apply to military when it comes to this sort of thing. I guess certain restrictions are necessary in Customs, but we're talking about a personal tool, not an endangered exotic bird egg or an ancient artifact.


Finally do we need to repeal the switchblade laws in the US?
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Yes.
 
Having gone through the whole customs shindig a month and a half ago, the biggest thing you need to do is stick to your guns and be confident. Yes it sucks to hold yourself up when your tour's finally up, but its your priorities at stake. "Why do you have this?" "Because I can... Because it was issued... Because the PX was authorized to sell it to me because I'm authorized to have it... etc." I brought back a Benchmade AS identical to the issued variant because it was the same product; they could have taken it if they wanted to, even though it was sold in country at the PX, but when they asked me if I had any knives I said yes and laid the dozen some out neatly for him to look at. Customs figured I had nothing to hide, which I didn't, confiscated some art supplies because of the aerosol cans, and sent me on my way. Losing a personal issue scope is bullspam, is authorized, and is the kind of seizure that generally you should fight, and definitely quote orders and get your leadership involved. As much as you might want to give in and get out, your NCOs will be in the same way and will not be in the mood for bullspam of any kind.
 
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