Sabre

From USAFA Folklore

The cadet sabre is a design unique to the Cadet Wing. The sabres are carried by all cadet commanders when marching in formation, and used by the cadet Sabre Drill Team for drill performances. They are manufactured in Germany, modeled after a French weapon and made of stainless steel. They are three feet long and weigh one pound, one ounce unsheathed. The pommel of the standard sabre is an antiqued silver color, with the exception of the sabre carried by the Cadet Wing Commander, which has a gold pommel.

The sabre holds a particularly important place in the iconography of the Academy. A sabre appears on every class crest, and many graduating first class cadets purchase sabres for themselves or often for their parents. The Plaque and Sabre award is the highest award that may be bestowed by the Cadet Wing on a non-cadet. The Association of Graduates limits the sale of sabres to graduates.