Army JROTC parents

[Mrs. Ciz]

Ok JROTC moms & dads,

I have a budget question for you. DS17 goes to an all boys military school where the whole student body is Army JROTC. For his senior year he was chosen to be the S-5 Public Affairs Officer. He needs a US Army Officer Saber for all the military functions throughout the year.

The official sabers are EXPENSIVE - like $450 after you get the saber, saber guard, saber chain, engraving and shipping. A bunch of us moms are shopping around for the best price. One found a Replica US Army Officer Saber for $265 for everything (still $$$ but better).

So what's the difference between a Replica saber and an Official saber? Does it even matter for a high school kid?

Thanks!!!

ETA: There is a long tradition of passing the sabers down to family members as the school is 103 years old. Some boys use the saber their grand dad used, dad used, etc. DS is first generation at the school in my family so no heirloom saber to use.

 

[laurafergie]

Ok JROTC moms & dads,

I have a budget question for you. DS17 goes to an all boys military school where the whole student body is Army JROTC. For his senior year he was chosen to be the S-5 Public Affairs Officer. He needs a US Army Officer Saber for all the military functions throughout the year.

The official sabers are EXPENSIVE - like $450 after you get the saber, saber guard, saber chain, engraving and shipping. A bunch of us moms are shopping around for the best price. One found a Replica US Army Officer Saber for $265 for everything (still $$$ but better).

So what's the difference between a Replica saber and an Official saber? Does it even matter for a high school kid?

Thanks!!!

ETA: There is a long tradition of passing the sabers down to family members as the school is 103 years old. Some boys use the saber their grand dad used, dad used, etc. DS is first generation at the school in my family so no heirloom saber to use.

DS went to Military high school in Virginia and also the Citadel. (Also my brother and Dad)

It depends on the school your son attends. How close and picky are the big inspections? Usually the officers aren't scrutinized too much if they look spit and polished, and everthing looks the same, but this really is a school question. Back in the day when DS went, the answer would have been no.

However, you should NOT call and ask the school if a replica would suffice. Your son should ask around, get in contact with some officers and answer this himself.

I did do a quick search and here is one that may work http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-1792-personalized-us-army-officers-saber.aspx

 

[MOpGrad2013]

DS' schools provided the sabers for the special events. I just scanned through a few of the online references and not one mentions which saber to use.

I would ask the instructor.

From a military wife stand point, $265 is a good price for a saber. But then again, DH would spend $200 for a pair of boots. Check with US Cavalry (it's a store). They have civil war for less than $100 online and Cold Steel are the $200 + range. The other stores we purchased JROTC and Civil Air Patrol items are military id only.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Thanks for the additional places to shop for sabers. I will check them out. I just heard back from another mom who did buy the replica version. She had the school Commandant check it out and he said it was fine. It was identical to the official saber except the replica's scabbard is brushed steel (not shiny), while the official scabbard is a shiny plated nickle. She said the sabers themselves "looked" the same.

 

[carmelhp]

Ok JROTC moms & dads,

I have a budget question for you. DS17 goes to an all boys military school where the whole student body is Army JROTC. For his senior year he was chosen to be the S-5 Public Affairs Officer. He needs a US Army Officer Saber for all the military functions throughout the year.

The official sabers are EXPENSIVE - like $450 after you get the saber, saber guard, saber chain, engraving and shipping. A bunch of us moms are shopping around for the best price. One found a Replica US Army Officer Saber for $265 for everything (still $$$ but better).

So what's the difference between a Replica saber and an Official saber? Does it even matter for a high school kid?

Thanks!!!

ETA: There is a long tradition of passing the sabers down to family members as the school is 103 years old. Some boys use the saber their grand dad used, dad used, etc. DS is first generation at the school in my family so no heirloom saber to use.

The big difference is the $500 or $600 sabers are made in Germany, the $300 sabers are made in Spain and the $100 sabers are made in India or China. If it's the correct army pattern, like the Atlanta Cutlery, it should be fine. Sometimes you can get the German manufactured ones for cheap on E-bay if you don't mind someone else's name engraved on it.