Figure 4-23A.—The bride and groom are the first to leave
the chancel. Plan A.
the chapel, with guests standing at any con-
venient place along the steps or walk to observe
the Arch of Swords/Arch of Rifles ceremony.
THE ARCH OF SWORDS/ARCH OF
RIFLES CEREMONY.—General instructions
for this portion of the ceremony, if conducted,
are as follows: For a formal military wedding the
Arch of Swords ceremony (figure 4-25) may be
conducted for officers. A similar ceremony
utilizing rifles may be conducted for enlisted
personnel. It is customary that six or eight ushers
(or designated sword/rifle bearers) take part in
the ceremony. At a Navy chapel, swords and
rifles are only unsheathed or made ready outside
of the chapel. The head usher, just prior to the
recessional, will lead the designated sword or
rifle bearers outside the chapel onto the chapel
steps where they form an arch, facing each other
in equal number. For the Arch of Swords
ceremony, as the couple prepares to depart the
chapel, the head usher will give the command,
“Officers, DRAW SWORDS.” This action is
carried out in one continuous motion, tips
of swords touching. The newly married couple
Figure 4-23B.—The bride and groom are the first to leave
the chancel. Alternate Plan B.
will pass under the arch (only they may do so)
and then pause for a moment. The head usher
then gives the command, “Officers, RETURN
SWORDS.” (Swords brought to the position of
“present arms.”) Swords are returned to the
scabbards for all but 3 or 4 inches of their
length. The final inches of travel are completed
in unison, the swords returning “home” with a
single click.
The ushers who are designated as sword or
rifle bearers should be well versed as to their
duties and what items will be required for
the ceremony. The rehearsal is a good time
for participants to practice this part of the
ceremony. Ushers should be told by the couple
to bring the necessary items required for the
Arch of Swords/Arch of Rifles ceremony to the
rehearsal.
RELIGIOUS RITES
The religious rites of the wedding ceremony
are planned and celebrated by the chaplain. At
the rehearsal, however, the RP may be called
upon to brief the members of the wedding party
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