Parading with a sword

[RedBaran11]

Genossen, in particular Genosse Ianima,
As I have previosly stated on gunboards, this halloween i plan to parade myself through the neighborhood (and other places) in a NVA Offizier Parade Uniform with a sword. However, I am unfamiliar with the drills and movements. Perhaps someone could assist me? Genosse Ianima, You seem to know a great deal when it comes to this area If anyone else can help, please let your voice be heard as well Obviosly hearing form someone with first hand experience of actually having been trained in this would be the most helpful

[Mike G.]

I of course don't know your neighbors or neighborhood, but before embarking on such an adventure, it might be prudent to check in with local law enforcement. Seems like a really good way to start your Halloween activities off in the "Pokey".

[RedBaran11]

Oh more than likely the only sword invovled activivites will be at a few private parties I am going to so i shouldnt have to worry about that

[iannima]

Position of the sword whilst marching

Oh so many things to explain!!
well let's start from the position of he sword whilst marching...
The sword is held with the right hand obviously, gripped by only three fingers on the outside of the handle -knuckle guard and by the thumb on the inside. The blade rests flat against the upper arm or the side of the shoulder but at no stage does it touch the shoulder baord. Here are a couple of pictures to make it easier:


Remember that the arm is always fully extended albeit somewhat arched. It is never held at an angle. You swing the right arm forward whilst you walk and back to the vertical position. The extent of the swing depends but generally speaking not as far as the horizontal (unless t is the Wachregiment)

[iannima]

The left hand touches the scabbard and keeps it straight down the side to prevent banging. There is no swinging of the left arm whilst marching regardless of whether it is the ordinary step (Gleichschritt) or the parade step (Exerzierschritt)

[iannima]

Standing to attention

The position of standing to attention shares many features with what it would be like in other armiues: head straight up, chest out, guts in, straightened legs. The heels touch but the toes are parted the width of a boot toe.
The left arm is stretched downwards as always (it never moves).
The right arm is stretched down the body and close to it. The sword is gripped and held downwards roughly at a 45******176; degree angle with the flat face upwards and the curvature pointing outwards. The knuckle guard faces the body.

[iannima]

presenting arms

Presenting arms is done from the standing to attention position swiftly bringing the sword in front of the body, the flat of the blade to the outside, the hand at the height of the top button of the tunic or slightly lower, and away from the chest by the width of one hand.

[iannima]

presenting arms 2

And then you swiftly bring the sword donwards to where it was in the standing to attention postion.

Here I am doing Augen Rechts too (eyes Right) but otherwise you get the gist.
The movement of presenting arms is a swift and quick one. You do not keep the sword in front of your eyes for long. Be careful that much as your sword is a reproduction with no edge, it still is quite a bit of pointed steel and swinging it around, make sure that you are standing well away from anybody...

[Kozlov]

this halloween i plan to parade myself through the neighborhood (and other places) in a NVA Offizier Parade Uniform with a sword.

Given that I thought halloween was about spooky, frightening things and that most people dress up as ghosts and monsters etc I'm not sure I'd consider dressing up as a NVA officer to be either appropriate for the event or respectful to the uniform.

Yes, myself and my Comrades wear the uniforms of the armed forces of the Warsaw Treaty Organisation, but always in a respectful manner appropriate to the historical portrayal of these soldiers - some of whom are our forum Genossen!

Couldnt you just wear a bed sheet with some holes cut in it instead?

I don't believe this is a respectful treatment of the subject

[Viktor]

Given that I thought halloween was about spooky, frightening things and that most people dress up as ghosts and monsters etc I'm not sure I'd consider dressing up as a NVA officer to be either appropriate for the event or respectful to the uniform.

Yes, myself and my Comrades wear the uniforms of the armed forces of the Warsaw Treaty Organisation, but always in a respectful manner appropriate to the historical portrayal of these soldiers - some of whom are our forum Genossen!

Couldnt you just wear a bed sheet with some holes cut in it instead?

I don't believe this is a respectful treatment of the subject

Da!, ......but a word of advice the sword is laid on the arm when marching not the shoulder, this is so you don't cut your own Ear off, as you swing your arm.

[RedBaran11]

Danke Genosse Ianima!

Unfortunantly there is no other time during the year to break out the NVA uniforms, so Haloween is the only availbible oppurtunity.

[Kozlov]

Yes but don't you see its not an excuse even then.

Its wrong!

[KevinH]

Danke Genosse Ianima!

Unfortunantly there is no other time during the year to break out the NVA uniforms, so Haloween is the only availbible oppurtunity.

I can certianly see where you are coming from Redbaran as I too, being in Minnesota, live in total isolation from any fellow NVA Genossen. It's very tempting to do this for halloween as the only chance I've ever had to sport one of my uniforms was in 12th grade German class during our DDR unit . I had entertained the notion of doing something NVA for halloween but Kozlov does have a good point. Maby some other members can share their view on this too. Torstenbell? AR-11?

[RedBaran11]

Perhaps so, I never really have thought about it that way.