They still use SKS rifles for parades in Laos

I noticed that when Pres Obama passed in review that the parade guard were all holding SKS rifles. I found that interesting. Nothing wrong with the guns as I own one too. But It was something of a surprise though. I would have figured that they would have upgraded by now to something else though. Of course I think that the SKS rifles look better than AK47's for parades though.

reference Obama Meets Laotian President in First US Presidential Visit | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth


https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...82635799-1.jpg

They've been as perpetual as the M1 for parade use.

As far as a parade rifle goes for old Warsaw pact stuff they are a fairly natural choice. The AK with magazine and bayonet is a clumsy oaf for drill, and the old Mosin Nagants look like a throwback to the Napoleonic era with the bayonet mounted.

Speaking of odd ducks for drill, I found an old CF drill manual years ago, had the parade drills for the Sterling SMG, rather unorthodox piece to work with by the look of it.

I taught that class many times, SMG drill. It's almost the same as current rifle drill. Nothing done at the order any more...

I having been in the USMC and I am still in awe at the USMC Silent Drill Team doing their displays. They use M1's for it of course. I was stationed at Quantico for a while and loved going to Wash DC to watch the drill shows at the USMC Headquarters.

United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon 2013 - YouTube

Oops sorry, this is a Soviet weapons category, but the other countries have some pretty good drill teams too.

Pres Putin's Guard Drill:
President Putins Guard Drill Show - YouTube

and another Russian Drill team using SKS rifles too. I think that they overdid the twirling effect though,
Russian Drill Team Hamina Tattoo 2008 - YouTube

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

They've been as perpetual as the M1 for parade use.

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The US Army Drill Team and the JROTC both still use the M1903 and variants for Drill/Parade. The SKS is more advanced than that. It's really all about what looks sharp when doing the manual of arms - and the SKS can play that role as well as most guns.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Claven2

The US Army Drill Team and the JROTC both still use the M1903 and variants for Drill/Parade.

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Yes they do. Didn't mean they weren't, just mentioning the perpetuity of the M1. You also have the "Old Guard" in Arlington using M14s.