Does your army still have swords and armor ?

[-The Trade Federation-]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?

3. Are they effective ?

My answers:

1. The cavalry still wears armor made out of a unique Trade Federation alloy and a helmet of the same material.

2. Each soldier receives a sword and they use them quite often in battle.

3. Thry are surprisingly.

[Liberated Skyrim]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ? Yes, PT wise(our regular tech for RPing).

2. Does your average soldier use swords ? Yes, PT wise.

3. Are they effective ? Well, yeah, since all of your neighbors use swords and such as well.

[Imperium Sidhicum]

Sure. Powered armor is universal throughout Imperial armed forces, and energy swords are quite common as well. Although normally issued to officers, regulations do not forbid rank-and-file soldiers to procure their own energy swords, although carrying a sword without having earned one is considered somewhat poor form. Still, Sidh officers usually don't mind their subjects carrying swords as well, since destroying enemy with every means available is considered more important than propriety or decorum.

One might wonder how swords can still be of use in an age of interstellar travel. Turns out that the widespread introduction of powered armor diminished the effectiveness of automatic gunfire sufficiently to make an old-fashioned infantry charge and close combat a viable tactic again.

[Estormo]

Our infantry uses Elven and glass armour and weapons. Some use conjure sword, though. Aside with all that, are lightning and healing spells.

[Auzkhia]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ? Yes, but only for ceremonial dress purposes.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ? Only for ceremonial purposes.

3. Are they effective ? Yes, but they are usually not carried in battle.

[Euletia]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?

No, the average soldier wears a variaton on modern Kevlar with rifle plates. However, crack units, particularly Knights and Stormtroopers, will wear a metal full-body armor when dealing with certain supernatural threats.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?

No, but once again elite troops dealing with the supernatural find that silver-edged swords are quite handy in a pinch.

3. Are they effective ?

Yes, as a backup weapon. Any Stormtrooper or Knight's first resort is always his primary weapon, then his pistol, THEN his sword.

[Britinthia]

#############
#############
#############
#############
----------------------------------------
HM Britinthia Government
Department for Defence.
=================================
To: -The Trade Federation-
From: Britinthia
Subject: Freedom of information request; Bladed weapons.

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?
No, armour is kept to moderns standards to ensure survivability on the battlefield.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?
Frontline units (e.g. Infantry, Cavalry, Pioneers) in all branches of the military are issued with a dirk type blade that doubles as a bayonet. This blade is expected to be kept suitable for dress when not deployed on operations.
NCOs are also issued with a short saber, primarily as part of dress uniform, though many carry them into battle.
Officers are expected to commission their own sword, keeping in line with traditional standards, as part of dress uniform. These are rarely taken on deployment, and officers are more likely to be seen wielding an NCO saber, if any.

3. Are they effective ?
There are circumstances where swords have been effective.

Regards,
Mr Alan Macleod
Of behalf of
Mr Murray Auteberry
Secretary of State for Defence.

[Riiser-Larsen]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ? There are ceremonial armor sets, usually in the style of Roman Legionnaire or Praetorian soldiers.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ? Yes, all infantry have a standard "boarding" sword. In ship to ship combat in space, there is always the risk that a stray bullet could puncture a glass plate, decompressing an entire area. Most defenders or boarding troops therefore often have short swords to use when boarding. In the interior, they often switch to ranged weapons unless there is critical equipment nearby. In addition, as a general rule all soldiers are outfitted with a Kukri which attaches at the left or right shoulder depending on which hand they use

3. Are they effective ?When boarding a ship, yes. Otherwise, as several bravado-filled recruits have learned, swords are very ineffective against machine gun embankments or tanks. However, the standard Kukri has come in some use, especially when soldiers have been besieged within small buildings. While it is not recommended is a main weapon, it certainly is useful if one runs out of ammo for their weapons.

[Uelvan]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?
No, we use modern armor.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?
In most parts only the officer is issued a sword. In Tahara all soldiers above the rank of peon is granted a sword. In Andarland, Yandarland, and Magarni they are used ceremonially only, but are issued to the entire army (but they do not get to keep their swords upon retirement).

3. Are they effective ?
Only at chopping up unarmed civilians and prisoners. Otherwise a gun makes them ineffective.

[Korintar]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?
Militia wear minimal armor of any sort- usually they wear a chainmail vest or tunic over their shirt and cargo pants with a spidersilk dress or knee length tunic.
Regular army and Space force members wear power armor

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?
Yes, melee weapons are more popular than range weapons, actually.
Some of our soldiers have been known to use directed energy and plasma weapons, as well as small antimatter munitions. Plasma swords are not unheard of amongst some of our more elite soldiers

3. Are they effective ?
Effective and often reasonably priced.

[Cyyro]

Swords, sure, for ceremonial uses, nothing else really.

[The United Azorean States]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?
The Average soldier wears a protective vest under thin blue shirt (made of spidersilk) with a white x shaped strap with the Royal insignia on it as well as a helmet similar to the Royal Guards in London. The pants are black, similar to dress pants, but is made of kevlar.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?
Elaborate Scimatars are the accustomed sword, customized with the soldier's family crest around the handle in gold.

3. Are they effective ?
Extremely.

[Baiynistan]

The military makes use of combat knives, bayonets, multi-tools and other bladed utensils, but swords are not part of standard issue equipment. They are, for example, absent from what few ceremonial operations the armed forces conduct. They're seen as being a little too royalist for the military of a republic.

On armour, ballistic vests are a part of standard issue infantry equipment.

[New Pyrrhius]

there is nothing lef tto hide from

[Empire of Narnia]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ? Suits of armor are part of the formal dress uniform of high-ranking officers and elite military units. They don't use medieval armor in combat though.
2. Does your average soldier use swords ? Every soldier carries a sword as part of their dress uniform, and until relatively recently (1920's) they were carried into battle as well, but rarely used. Now smaller bayonet knives are carried into battle instead.
3. Are they effective ? They are obsolete but still part of formal uniforms in order to carry on Narnia's great military tradition.

[Hallowell]

The average soldier is equipped with a Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife. Officers and above are equipped with ceremonial gold-plated swords that are used only rarely on combat, and are more often used to direct the army on parade. The research departments are working on a prototype powered armor system. Of course, every soldier is equipped with bulletproof body armour.

[Jimanistan]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?

No, except for the Cuirassiers, and only then as part of their parade dress.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?

No, though some officers do continue to wear swords as a sign of their command. This is controversial, as it makes them easier targets for sharpshooters.

3. Are they effective ?

Not generally, although some of the aforementioned officers do manage to put them to deadly use in close combat.

[Sediczja]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?

Not really. A flak jacket rated for 7.62x25 and shrapnel is general issue, but there's no armour on general issue in the sense that is meant here. Some cavalry units (mainly Guards) wear ceremonial breastplates and helmets on parade.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?

Not unless he's an officer on the parade ground

3. Are they effective ?

They look pretty, yeah.

[Saurisisia]

1. Outside of the Dwarves, knightly orders, and Drakonians, Sslurids, Khalkans, Ponerian ponies, and Limbatux on ceremonial occasions, they don't wear armor in the antiquated sense.

2. Officers sometimes carry their sabers to battle with them, though it's rarer with enlisted personnel.

3. They're quite adequate in close-quarters combat, if you mean the swords.

[Xekliv]

1. Yes. Each legionary is given a full kit of carapace armor when they are sent into the field. Centurions have a powered suit of synthetic muscle, the designs of which were given to us by our Human allies

2. Unless you count the massive bayonets, only sergeants use power swords.

3. Very, especially against slashrim and daemon spawn.

[Themiclesia]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets)?

As part of their official uniform, yes.

2. Does your average soldier use swords?

A sword is the implement of the gentry class, and since our soldiers are gentlemen, they possess swords.

3. Are they effective?

Yes. We use bronze swords that are cast by famous bladesmiths, and the surface is decorated into intricate patters.

[The Two Jerseys]

Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets)?
The Household Cavalry (Life Guards & Horse Guards) wear polished cuirasses and crested steel helmets as part of their ceremonial uniform.
Regiments of dragoons wear similar helmets with full dress.

Does your average soldier use swords?
Officers, warrant officers, and sergeants wear swords/sabers with full dress, on parade when wearing dress, undress, and service dress uniforms, and with any dress order when on duty in certain positions (Officer of the Day, Captain of the Guard, etc.).
All members of mounted units (cavalry, horse artillery, some supply/transportation units) are issued sabers, which are worn with full dress and on parade when wearing dress or undress uniforms.
Musicians in bands of non-mounted units wear short swords when performing.

Are they effective?
They can still cut and stab you, so yes.

[Vectium]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ? in a sense, they wear knee pads. in addition to the typical Kevlar helmet, Face mask, And bulletproof vest.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ? if a Machete counts as a sword, yes, if they have to abandon their Rifle (which has a bayonet) they can use their Machete in close quarters fighting, and are trained extensively in the use.

3. Are they effective ? Depends on the situation the Soldier finds himself in.

[Eahland]

1. Does your average soldier wear armor (not bulletproof vest nor modern helmets) ?
Infantry and some other roles wear armored tunics with ceramic antiballistic plates integrated into them. Practically all combat roles have a polymer helmet, with comms, night vision, and detachable NBC hood integrated, as standard issue. We don't use metal armor anymore as it's near-worthless weight against modern weapons.

2. Does your average soldier use swords ?
The seax is, as from time immemorial, a standard part of Eahlisc gear. The standard Cynehere-issue seax has a blade about foot long, and pushes the border between "knife" and "sword" a little. It has bayonet mounts, and its use as a weapon, both mounted and unmounted, is covered briefly in basic training. It sees far, far more use as a general-purpose cutting, piercing, poking, and prodding tool than as a weapon, though. The average seax has likely opened a thousand ration packs for every enemy it's slain.

We don't issue actual swords, nor do our officers wear them.

3. Are they effective ?
Swords? No. Swords are for dueling, not for war. Even before gunpowder, the Eahlisc weapon of choice in war was the hewing spear. One-on-one, a sword has its advantages over a spear. Ten-on-ten, a unit of trained spearmen will obliterate a unit of equally trained swordsmen. A seax mounted as a bayonet makes a fairly usable hewing spear.

Our military has long had an explicit policy of preferentially targeting anyone carrying a sword, as they're typically the mark of officers, and so shooting the sword-bearers first tends to have seriously detrimental effects on enemy command and coordination.

During the Great War, the Yuhene issued all of their officers swords, and many of those officers had cultural notions in their heads that led them to believe that actually using those in combat was a good idea. The word amongst veteran troops was actually, "If he has a sword on his hip, shoot him. If he has a sword in his hand, shoot the men around him... and fix bayonets." This tended to select for enemy officers with more bushido than brains, which generally resulted in those officers leading kamikaze charges into prepared Eahlisc positions - which has always been a glorified method of suicide, and when you've got swords, and the Eahliscmenn have automatic weapons, is just sheer butchery.

Actually making it into range doesn't really help much, either. The backbone of Eahland's military has always been heavy infantry, which before gunpowder meant spearmen in a coordinated formation, with each man supporting and relying on his shoulder-companions. It's been drilled into the very soul of Eahlisc fighting-men for hundreds upon hundreds of years that you do not break line, because if you break, you die, but so long as you stand with your shoulder-companions, you are invincible. We don't teach spear combat so much anymore, but at the time of the Great War, when the basic infantry weapon was a bolt-action repeater rather than fully automatic, the use of the bayoneted seax as a spear and the scieldburh tactics that went with it were still hanging on to much greater degree, and actually drilled rather than just being shown a bit and then generally forgotten. This meant that any would-be samurai who leaked past the heavy machine gun fire scything them down by the scores and leaped in to hit Eahliscmenn with their swords didn't find a bunch of targets panicking because there was a blood-crazed swordsman inside the range where they could effectively use their rifles, but rather a disciplined line of spearmen.

When you're in a line of spearmen, and there are swordsmen coming in on you (and they have to come in, because if they don't, the spearmen just kill them from outside sword range, particularly if the "spear" is a rifle with a seax mounted on it), you don't panic and try to open range. That breaks your line, and you die. What you do is block his sword with the haft of your spear, and then, maintaining pressure on his weapon to keep it bound, use it as a fulcrum to pivot around and kill the enemy to your left. And then the enemy to your right. The enemy in front of you, the one whose sword you're keeping bound up? Don't worry about him. Your shoulder-companions have got him. (During the Great War, this move was referred to as the "windscieldwipere", though it's far, far older than windshields.)

A lot of those pot-metal katana shattered the first time they crossed good Eahlisc steel, too, which didn't help any.

[Prairieland]

Ceremonial swords are carried by all naval officers ranked Captain or above. The Congressional Subcommittee on Military Personnel has recommended that this tradition be laid to rest, on the rationale that the blades are quote "unwieldly as shit."