Commemorative Pocket Knife

Big Ugly

5-Year Member
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Feb 9, 2017
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DS2 was talking about getting a pistol for high school graduation this year. DS1 said having a pistol at the academy presented a host of limitations and would likely end up sitting in the gun safe at home for four years.

A much more practical gift would be a pocket knife. DS1 was very happy to pick out a nice knife for her high school graduation gift. She now carries it in her backpack or coat pocket depending on the situation. I asked her during plebe year how common pocket knives were amongst her classmates and she informed me all mids carry a pocket knife.

I think John Wick displays a few practical models for those interested.
 
Appreciated the John Wick reference.
 
1) Yes, having a gun at USNA is problematic. It could also be a problem if you live in base housing after graduation, me. Perhaps current active duty can shed light on current atmosphere about guns on base. I also can't imagine that someone would be permitted to have their personal weapons onboard a ship.

2) I don't recall Midshipmen even carrying knives back in the day. I sailed a couple years, and always carried a sheathed knife when sailing, but never around the yard. I do recall that the MidStore carried a lot of nice knives

I recall seeing a good discussion of multitools in the USMA Forum-- they spend time in the field during Plebe Summer, and multitools are encouraged. I seldom carry my multitool...but always have one handy.
 
2) I don't recall Midshipmen even carrying knives back in the day. I sailed a couple years, and always carried a sheathed knife when sailing, but never around the yard. I do recall that the MidStore carried a lot of nice knives
We were issued a knife as part of our plebe issue. As I recall, it was a stainless steel pocketknife that was like a Navy version of the Boy Scout knife and not really good for sailing for which you would want a straight blade for lines along with a Marlinspike. I had (and still have) one of THOSE knives.
 
I don't know what the current rules are, but back in my day it wasn't uncommon for guys to have a personal weapon onboard the ship, stored in the little stateroom safe.
then again, maybe the rules didn't allow it back then either....
 
Don't pilots carry a sidearm while flying over combat zones? I don't know what triggers the need to carry one. As for guns at the yard. The signage is pretty clear that no firearms are allowed brought on the Yard.
 
If you were a pilot and crashed behind enemy lines, wouldn't you want to be armed?!?
 
The Navy will issue you a weapon if you are flying in harms way.
Standard issue is a sidearm (currently 9mm Sig), but also varies with platform and mission.
(We had 12 ga. shotguns on P3's for protection against Polar Bears when we did Arctic Ops)
 
DS2 was talking about getting a pistol for high school graduation this year. DS1 said having a pistol at the academy presented a host of limitations and would likely end up sitting in the gun safe at home for four years.

A much more practical gift would be a pocket knife. DS1 was very happy to pick out a nice knife for her high school graduation gift. She now carries it in her backpack or coat pocket depending on the situation. I asked her during plebe year how common pocket knives were amongst her classmates and she informed me all mids carry a pocket knife.

I think John Wick displays a few practical models for those interested.
I am a current midshipman c/0 2022. I carry a small pocket knife for everyday use i.e. opening boxes, cutting off strings on uniforms (irish pennants), etc. As long as you do not open carry it or flaunt it all over the place nobody will care.
 
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