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Scabbard and Blade

Scabbard and Blade (S&B) was a college military honor society founded at the University of Wisconsin in 1904. Although membership was open to Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and midshipmen of all military services, the society was modeled after the U.S. Army, calling its chapters companies

Scabbard and Blade
The Crest of Scabbard and Blade
Founded1904; 120 years ago (1904)
University of Wisconsin
TypeHonorary
AffiliationACHS
Former affiliationPIC
StatusDefunct
Defunct date2019?
EmphasisROTC, JROTC and midshipmen leadership
ScopeNational
PillarsHonor, leadership, professionalism, officership, unity
Member badge
Colors  Red,   white, and   blue
Symbol5 stars
PublicationScabbard & Blade Today
Chapters59
Members449 (2012) active
137,000 (2014) lifetime
Headquarters1018 S. Lewis Street
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074
United States
Websitewww.scabbardandblade.org

It was founded as a men's organization and later became a co-educational society. The Junior Program opened membership to Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) cadets and midshipmen as well.

S&B was a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. Around 2021, the national organization closed, with some chapters continuing to operate as location organizations.

History

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Scabbard and Blade was founded during the 1904-1905 academic year at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.[1][2] Its founders were five senior officers in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC): Leo M. Cook, Albert W. Foster, Victor R. Griggs, Charles A. Taylor, and Harold K. Weld.[3][1][4] The society's mission was "developing aspiring and current military officers that emulate the Five Star qualities while fostering strong joint-service relationships".

Although membership was open to Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and midshipmen of all military services, the society was modeled after the U.S. Army.

Its first national convention was held in Madison, Wisconsin on May 11, 1906, and included representatives of the society's four companies.[1][5] Conventions were annual until April 1916, until disrupted by World War I until February 1920.[1] After the 1920 meeting, conventions were held biannually until 1940 when all companies were directed by general order to bring their affairs to a close because of World War II.[1] According to its 1940 directory, S&B had 31,980 members.[6]

The society was inactive during World War I and World War II when there were no courses of military training in universities and colleges because all able-bodied men were in the service.[1][5] After 70 companies had been reactivated, a national convention was held in November 1947.[7][1] The society had grown 150 active chapters or companies active companies, 20 inactive companies, and 89,154 total members in 1962.[6]

Scabbard and Blade was founded as a men's organization and became a co-educational society. Before going coed, it sponsored auxiliaries and support organizations for women, including Guidon, Blades, and the National Organization of L'Esprit de Corps, founded in 1971.[5]

S&B became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies in 2010.[8] In February 2012, it had 59 collegiate chapters and 449 members.[8] In 2014, there were some 137,000 cadet officers.[9]

Around 2021, the national society closed its operations, although a few chapters operate as locate organizations. Its last national headquarters was located at Stillwater, Oklahoma.[7][5]

Symbols

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The society's badge was a gold American eagle, holding a shield over its breast, crossed with two swords.[6] The scabbard featured small jewels that represented five stars.[6]

Scabbard and Blade's colors were red, white, and blue.[6] The society's five stars or pillars were honor, leadership, professionalism, officership, and unity.[1] Its quarterly publication was originally called Scabbard & Blade Journal and was later called Scabbard & Blade Today.[7][5]

Membership

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ROTC

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Members had to be an ROTC student in at least their second semester, preferably in their junior or senior year. They had to rank in the top 20% of their unit commander's Order of Merit Listing or have a 3.5 GPA. Candidates also had to receive a letter of nomination from their ROTC unit's commander and take a pledge to become a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces.

JROTC

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There were two membership levels for a JROTC Company: Junior Membership and Distinguished Junior Membership. Junior Membership was open to active JROTC students who were juniors or seniors in high school and were in the top 20% of their class with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Distinguished Junior Membership was only open to JROTC students who were active Junior Members in S&B.

Chapters

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Main article: List of Scabbard and Blade chapters

Governance

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Scabbard and Blade consisted of three organizations: The National Society of Scabbard and Blade, The National Honor Society of Scabbard and Blade, and Scabbard and Blade Endowment Resources.[3] The latter was a nonprofit corporation that raised funds and endowments to support the ROTC principles.[5]

Officers

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Scabbard and Blade called its chapters companies. Companies were organized into regiments in order of their establishment. Each Scabbard and Blade company had a faculty or school staff member who served as the company advisor. In addition, each company was required to have the following officers:

  • Company captain (commander)
  • Company 1st lieutenant (vice commander)
  • Company 2nd lieutenant (finance officer)
  • Company first sergeant (executive officer)

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Air Force ROTC | Department of Aerospace Studies". Fresno State. May 17, 2023. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  2. ^ Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 690-691.
  3. ^ a b "Home". Military Leader / Scabbard & Blade. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  4. ^ Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 690-691.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "National Society of Scabbard & Blade Records". Oklahoma State University Archives. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 690-691.
  7. ^ a b c Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VII-45–48. ISBN 978-0963715906.
  8. ^ a b "National Society of Scabbard and Blade Honor Society- Reserve Officer Training Corps". Association of College Honor Societies. February 12, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2024-05-27 – via web.archive.org.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Scabbard and Blade Fraternity. Company E (Purdue University) | Archives and Special Collections". Purdue University. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
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