New Khukris Arrive

F

FOG

Joined
Mar 9, 2003
Messages
82
Uncle Bill,

Last Batch arrived yesterday. I didn’t have time to unwrap them until last night, listened to the President’s speech.

Three BAS models have already been selected. One by AOps Company Commander (a CH-53E pilot w/combat time in the Stan), his EAF Plt. Commander (a CWO from the hills of Kentucky) and our Chaplin (good old boy from Georgia).

The Chaplin is denied a weapon but is allowed a knife because it is for utility use.

There will be surprise presentations Friday at AOps Company formation. Wood will be chopped.

ALCON,

Requesting a little help with a slight dilemma. Those Marines who deployed on short notice and we didn’t have time for a formation were ordered to “THE XO’s OFFICE!” and then told to select from the pile while giving them background, hints, etc. Those presented in formation I selected from what I thought best for the presentation, then told them to come back to office later and see if they would like to exchange for one they liked better.

The problem with the 2nd way? The Marines who had them presented in formation are reluctant to give up “their donated Khukri” for another one. Evidently there is a feeling that it would a) be insulting to exchange it and b) be bad luck as they are very proud to have received one.

Any suggestions on how to surprise the recipients and still get them to select their own preference? I thought about bringing all the Khukris out to the formation but discarded it on two points. The 1st is if it is raining them I have to spend time cleaning and drying the rest of the Khukris. The other issue is the pressure of having their Company watching them select one could rush the process and result in a poorer selection than a less hurried process.

I have notice that there can be large differences in the same models. The greatest are two 20” Sirupatis. They feel like two totally different knives, even though they look almost identical.

S/F, Mike
(edited for grammer, I was a little tired)
 
Perhaps you could have a "Presentation Khukri" to be used in formation. The recipient would later select "his" khukri from those available in the office. Or the words used during the ceremony could be something along the line of, "This one is mine. Come to my office and get yours." The recipient would then be able to select the one best fitting hand size, body type, the khukri that calls his name from the pile, ect.

Ed
 
I like the idea of using the same one for presentations. It could even be the one off of your belt.
 
really?!? Is he considered a non-combatant? The stock footage from D-Day shows some chaplains doing last rites on the battlefield, seems more dangerous than being a combat medic!

Interesting stuff, FOG, I guess the selection process can be as simple or complicated as you like. The things I'd take into consideration is:

Body type and build
Some pilots, tankers, etc may need a more compact model.

If a guy is gonna use it to dig foxholes, I'd set him up with the ultra sturdy models, like WWII or AK.

If folks are worried about the shiny appearance of the khuk not being stealthy enuf (I doubt anyone whould be drawing one unless it's already an CQB situation), you can dull the finish by either using blueing solutions or a quick etch by dunking for a very short time in vinegar or citrus fruit juices.

Keith
 
What the troops must realize is that if they really don't like a certain khuk, they should trade. No self respecting khuk wants to be hanging around with some one that don't like it.:) There should be no shame in trading for something that suits the individual better. Like what has already been said, type of duty, personal build, and hand size.

In any event the user should be throughly comfortable with the weapon carried. Just my .02 cents.:)
 
I like ed's idea. Just 'present' them with yours or one that you set aside for that purpose, then invite them up to your office to choose.
 
Some good ideas.

The reason I want them to use the Khukris right away is to give confidence in a new and untried (in their personnel experience) and also to make sure that they know it’s a using knife and not a display item. Then they also get in the habit of maintaining it afterwards.

How about they use what is handed them in the formation to cut the 4X4. Then afterward let them take a couple of whacks w/my and/or other Khukris present. That would show them the differences and then invite them to pick out another one from the bunch.

There is no danger of anyone not being thrilled with any Khukri being presented. I’m just a concerned at my lack of ability in selecting the best vice just good enough for the individual. If I had Uncle’s expertise and experience in this field then the concern would be much lower.

S/F, Mike
 
Don't give your 6' 4" 240 pounder a 12 inch Sirupati and don't give your 4' 10" 90 pound female a 25" AK. We used to call the female Marines "BAMS" -- often affectionately referred to as "broad a$$ed Marines."
 
Handed out two to AOps in a Company formation. Their Company CO brought a 10’ 4X4 and set up a chopping contest for speed. Both (WWII and M43) were just as issued, i.e. not sharpened.

Afterward I handed a sharpened 18” AK and let them take a few whacks to see the difference. They’re going to stop by and look over the selection after cleaning up the presented knives.

I took some pictures but having trouble downloading to the computer due the ever changing security measures on the gov. computer systems. I’ll send them along to Uncle if I can get them down loaded.

BAM is a forbidden term now, even female or woman Marine is considered unPC and derogatory in nature.

S/F, Mike
 
Mike, I don't know how many BAS's you lhave issued out but I am trying to get some frogs made that will be better than those issued. I have two finished and would like to get two more done before I send a box. I just recieved a good leather punch in the mail that will speed things up quite a bit. Now all I have to do is try and make some time to get them done. The frog that was on the BAS I sent was modified in the simplest way I could figure out. The frogs that I am making have a big enough belt loop to handle the 2 & 1/4 " belt but the way they are attached the knife will not flop around so much and will not be any harder to mount on the side of the pack. I hope they will work out for your men. :)
 
FOG:

"The Marines who had them presented in formation are reluctant to give up “their donated Khukri” for another one. Evidently there is a feeling that it would a) be insulting to exchange it and b) be badluck as they are very proud to have received one."

I've not served, but here's my two cents (actually considerably less due to unacknowleged inflation). I hope I'm not out of place to speak here.

The fit of a khuk to to the person and tasks is similar to boots or shoes. How many of your folks would keep a pair of ill-fitting boots because they got them in a ceremony? The people that sent the khuks sent them to give the troops the best edge they can get. No harm in swapping for the best match. I suspect the contributors expect no less. Your people need to have the best match for us and them. IMO, it's a bit slack not to get the best fit--the khuks weren't given for luck, they were given to get the job done ASAP and give those guys a bit extra to come home safe. If need be, tell 'em they are letting themselves and someone else down if they don't carry the one that fits the best. And what Pappy didn't say, is if the khuk don't like you, or you don't like it, it ain't the knuk that gets cut. :D


God bless and keep up the good work. I and I think others here are grateful for your efforts.:)
 
"even female or woman Marine is considered unPC and derogatory in nature."

What term is PC? There's got to be a way to specify the sex of PFC Jesse Smith.
 
Originally posted by Ferrous Wheel
really?!? Is he considered a non-combatant? The stock footage from D-Day shows some chaplains doing last rites on the battlefield, seems more dangerous than being a combat medic!
Click to expand...

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
 
Vicks,

The combatant category code for chaplins prohibits them from being armed. They are assigned an enlisted sailor, a RP, who is issued a rifle.

Uncle,

We are supposed to just call them Marines. One of the legacies. Not supposed to use the terms light green, dark green, etc. either.

Firkin,

Tools and weapons are usually issued as one size fits all, you adapt yourself to the tool and situation. It becomes kind of a mind set.
Having said that I have had Marines in my office going over the selection. Watch someone compare the various BASs and note one is heavier than a 15" AK.

Pappy,

Looking forward to the frogs.

S/F, Mike
 
" We are supposed to just call them Marines."

If I were an officer on a destroyer and was assigning sleeping quarters I'd sure as hell hate to put PFC Jesse Smith into the aft sleeping quarters with 80 horny young sailors if the PFC happened to be a good looking blonde.

We've taken it too far. Or, am I just an old dinosaur?
 
I'd bet Ms. Smith could probably hold her own. She's a Marine, after all.

That said, I hear the new class of ships being build was designed with gender-segregated facilities, bathrooms and whatnot.
 
No such facilities when I was aboard ship 50 years ago. And, I still want to know how you assign sleeping billets when you can't refer to gender.
 
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