Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Point of the Sword

According to Naval tradition an officer facing court martial must "deliver up" his sword, putting it unsheathed on a table in front of him/her to represent the placing of their rank, status and reputation on hold. Even before the verdict is read out, the accused always knows their fate, because when they return to the court the sword will be pointing toward them if they have been found guilty. If it remains unmoved, the officer knows they have escaped punishment.

Added: 2014-11-01 Last modified: 2014-11-01