Saber team adds prestige to ceremonies Published July 7, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Detail halt. Center face. Present Sabers. Arch Sabers. These words are spoken as Airmen line up waiting to pass through the arch during several ceremonies performed in the Trail's End Club here. The saber team, or "arching of the sabers," has been a part of military tradition throughout its history, dating back to the Royal Navy. During the late 1800s, General John "Blackjack" Pershing, then a lieutenant, formed a weapons drill team to raise morale of his Reserves Officer Training Corps unit. In 1893, the drill team became a fraternal organization bearing the name "Varsity Rifles." The next year, the unit changed its name to "Pershing Rifles" to honor Lieutenant Pershing. It was not until the early 1900s that sabers were added to the drill teams, forming what is now known as the saber team. Saber team details have been used at Air Force Global Strike Command's F. E. Warren as part of NCO induction, senior NCO induction and awards ceremonies. "The saber team is steeped in tradition," said Master Sgt. James Fuller, 90th Missile Wing Plans and Programs superintendent and frequent saber team volunteer. "It adds a sense of pride to the event, and you can tell that the individuals walking through the arch really appreciate it." Volunteering for a detail is open to all ranks. "For an NCO induction ceremony, I like to have a minimum of airman first class through staff sergeant and will also use senior NCOs," said Master Sgt. Shawn Cain, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron quality assurance NCO-in-charge and saber team coordinator. "I do that as a visual representation of 'walking through the ranks.' For the awards banquet, we had officers and enlisted members on the saber detail." Requests for a saber detail can be coordinated with Sergeant Cain via e-mail or a phone call. "I'd like to have between 30 and 45 days notification, because it gives me time to gather volunteers," Sergeant Cain said. "Especially if the request involves junior enlisted members -- airman basic through staff sergeant -- being required to wear mess dress, as many of those ranks may not own a mess dress." Once volunteers are gathered, practices are held a couple of times a week until the event, giving members a chance to learn the commands. Practices only last about 15 minutes, Sergeant Cain said. And they only happen once or twice a week for the few weeks leading up to the event. Volunteers are not required to attend every practice. They just need to attend enough of them to learn the commands and understand the procedures. "I've never had a shortage of volunteers for any detail," Sergeant Cain said. "I cannot express my thanks enough to those who've volunteered to add even more tradition and prestige to ceremonies here." For more information about the saber team or to volunteer for or request a saber team detail, contact Sergeant Cain at 773-6131 or via e-mail at shawn.cain@warren.af.mil.