In the U.S. Military, swords are not automatically issued based on rank alone. Instead, they are ceremonial items that certain officers and Non-commissioned officers may purchase as part of their dress uniform for specific formal occasions.

The tradition of swords varies by service branch:

• Navy: Naval officers (Ensign and above) may purchase and wear a sword for certain formal ceremonies https://www.glendale.com/navy-officer-sword-premium-stainless-steel/
• Marine Corps: Officers (Second Lieutenant and above) may wear a Mameluke sword for formal events - https://www.glendale.com/marine-corps-officer-sword-premium-stainless-steel/
• Army: Officers may wear a saber for certain ceremonial functions - https://www.glendale.com/army-officer-saber-premium-stainless-steel/
• Coast Guard: Officers may wear a sword similar to the Navy's for formal ceremonies - https://www.glendale.com/coast-guard-officer-sword-premium-stainless-steel/
• Air Force and Space Force: Generally do not have a sword tradition, though some ceremonial units may use them. Also for weddings. - https://www.glendale.com/air-force-sword-premium-stainless-steel/
• Marine Corps Senior NCOs:
• The Marine Corps is unique in that its Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) - Staff Sergeant (E-6) through Sergeant Major/Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) - are authorized to carry the NCO sword for certain ceremonial occasions
• This tradition dates back to 1859 when Marine NCOs were first authorized to carry swords
• The Marine NCO sword has a slightly different design than the officer's Mameluke sword, featuring a straight blade with an eagle-head pommel
• https://www.glendale.com/marine-corps-nco-sword-premium-stainless-steel/
• Army Senior NCOs:
• Command Sergeants Major and Sergeants Major (E-9) who serve as the command's senior enlisted advisor may carry a sword during certain formal ceremonies, but this is not standard practice across all units
• This is most common in ceremonial units like The Old Guard (3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment)
• https://www.glendale.com/army-nco-sword-premium-stainless-steel/
• Navy and Coast Guard:
• Chief Petty Officers (E-7 through E-9) typically do not carry swords even for formal occasions, yet they can opt to carry a sword.
• The CPO sword is referred to as the Cutlass –
• https://www.glendale.com/navy-cpo-sword-premium-stainless-steel/

These swords are not standard issue equipment but rather optional ceremonial items that officers and SNCOs typically purchase themselves for formal occasions like changes of command, military weddings, or other ceremonial events.