Most people don't know it but the order to fix bayonets is sometimes used on Navy ships carrying Marines.
For example if a platoon of Marines is needed fast on the flight deck the officer or NCO in charge will sometimes order the Marines to fix bayonets and double time them to where they have to be. They run with their rifles at Port Arms which is safe enough and does what they need it to do.
Sailors are not stupid and know enough to flatten against the bulkheads while the Marines pass by. The smart ones go against the bulkhead on the right side of the Marines because that's not the sharp end of their rifles.
Most people have an aversion to sharp, pointy objects so apparently the trick seems to work rather well.
I hope the National Guard issues bayonets just in case they have to hold a line or move a crowd.
Back when I was in the service we had a class on riot control as it was nearing the end of Vietnam which was winding down rapidly.
A 2LT was giving a part of the class and he and I crossed swords and I made it clear to him that if he ordered me to fire on Americans with no bona fide reason I would fire one shot, at him.
The whole class got silent REAL FAST and my battery commander broke the silence by saying, "As you should, Sergeant."
Then he said, "Lieutenant, you better have a damned good reason to fire on American citizens." My BC was a good officer and besides he was getting out and therefore had no career to protect.
The BC turned to me and asked me how I would move an unruly mob. "Fix bayonets," I replied. "Half step toward the crowd and once a few of them got a quick little poke they would move. You are not trying to seriously injure people. You are trying to motivate them to move. Once the crowd sees sharp pointy things they will move and pretty quickly, too."
I didn't know the S-3, a major had dropped in. He spoke up.
"What do you do if someone grabs your rifle and tries to take it away from you?" he asked.
''That's when the guys on either side of me give the guy about an inch or two of steel below the ribs. He'll back down fast." I said.
"Interesting," replied the major. "Would you seriously shoot the lieutenant?"
"Major, we both joined the United States Army to defend the American people, not gun them down. I'm also not going to be responsible for another Kent State black eye, either."
He looked at me thoughtfully and said nothing.
Later I had business with the S3 shop and the major noticed me and told me to grab myself a cup of coffee and step into his office when business was concluded. I did and we briefly discussed a few things about the class. I suggested actual hands on training is they were serious about it. I pointed out that the last thing we needed was some worked up kid skewering people.
I support using the NG to support ICE but the government should make sure they train them before deployment.
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