Other than the advising you to join the senior service (Army) I can tell you my experience with knives during my 20+ years of Army service.
I caution you, don't take ANYONE's word for it. PERSONALLY, look up and comply with your local installation and service regulation for on post and the local and state laws where ever you happen to be. Remember that if you cross jurisdictions, you are subject to the regulation/law wherever you are.
When I went to Basic Training in 1973 we were allowed to possess and carry pocketknives (and I mean pocketknives - NOT any knife you could get in your pocket). I carried a little cheap Barlow. 7 years later as a Drill Sergeant, our training command did not allow trainees to possess ANY knife. If they arrived with them they were tagged, the trainee given a receipt and the knives stored until graduation when they we given back (IF THEY WERE LEGAL). Some of those guys had some REAL nice knives!
I personally carried a Camillus all stainless steel utility pocketknife in an OD Green nylon belt pouch nearly my entire career. I bought it in a surplus store. The spear cutting blade did not hold and edge worth beans but it took a good one quickly. Other than that it was a pretty good pocketknife. The can opener on it was the best! Mine had a U.S. marking on it but you can get em with U.S.M.C. on them too - if you insist. I recommend one of these - in BDUs your shirt covers it up and they are very handy.
And I usually carried a Case Barlow in my pocket. In the field we were allowed to carry a sheath knife if we wanted to. Most carried an Air Force Survival Knife, K-Bar, or something similar. The one time I was going to actually deploy to a real situation, I packed my Buck FieldMate too. (Didn't actually deploy but it was a close call.)
I saw guys carrying everything from no knife to machetes in the field. A lot depended on your command and who was in charge. Most everyone carried at least a pocketknife in the field and many carried some simple type of sheath knife in the field. We never had any problems so guys got to carry most anything. Lots of guys carried Buck folding Hunters or Rangers or similar folding knives in the field too.
But I know there were units that could not carry ANY knife in the field. They even kept the bayonets locked up - usually because someone did something stupid like threaten someone. Just check out your unit and you will get the word on what is allowed.
As I recall there is an Army regulation that limits the legal length of a knife to 3" on post. I know that was the case for the post regulations for nearly every place I was assigned.
I checked the US Code and 2 1/2" is the limit in MOST federal facilities.
I was in the field once with some Marines. They were not allowed to have anything that was not issued other than hygiene items. But that was only one platoon of Marines. Then again I knew a company commander in an Army unit that put the same restriction on his soldiers in the field. Other than hygiene items, they were allowed nothing that was not issued to them, no candy, chewing gum, pocketknives, comic books, not even a BIC pen - NOTHING. They even checked their underwear to make sure it was Army issue. Moral was not great in that unit.
I always tended to trust my soldiers until they proved otherwise. And for the most part they conducted themselves accordingly.
Good luck on whatever service you decide on.
And remember, "The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war!"
Originally posted by Maximus:
I'm probably going into the Marine corps next year. I know in basic knives are banned (this is what an Army buddy told me) I was wondering if all knives not issued are banned, and if I was allowed to have certain knives after I recieve my commission.
