From: mcuell.garbage@shaw.ca 
  
 Siggy wrote: 
 > 
 > I'm specifically looking for the history behind the Drill Cane.... 
 > 
 > The function of the Pace Stick (measurement) is obvious; The purpose of the 
 > Drill Cane is not so obvious.......no....? 
 > 
 > `At one time the only pers officially auth to carry a drill cane or pace 
 > stick were inf, armd, arty and signals........I won't go into who other 
 than 
 > these carried sticks/canes over the yrs.........to many to count, incl an 
 > Airforce Medic RSM of 1 FD Amb.  Go figure........ 
 > 
 >  My interest is in any articles, refs, stories or history behind the 
 > creation, use, rational behind the Drill Cane, however, anything you may 
 > have on the Pace Stick welcome as well...   Thanx. 
 > 
 > cheers....Todd Reashore     reashore@shaw.ca 
  
 A second response, now that I've done more research. 
  
 The Pace Stick evolved from callipers used by the artillery to measure 
 the distance between guns on the firing line. But you knew that. 
  
  What is more obscure is the origin of the drill cane. There is some 
 evidence to suggest that it is an evolution of the pike (spear like 
 implement) carried by SgtsMaj at the rear of an attacking force. The 
 pike would be used to "encourage" the troops to move in the proscribed 
 direction. There are some who say that this pike was in itself an 
 evolution of the "vine cane" carried by Roman Centurions, which was 
 essentially used for the same purpose. 
  
 Regards... 
 Michael 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)