Roche will receive ‘Order of the Sword’ Published July 7, 2003 By Tech. Sgt. Carl Norman Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force noncommissioned officers will bestow their highest honor on the secretary of the Air Force as they induct him into the service’s Order of the Sword on Sept. 13 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.Dr. James G. Roche received word of his induction during the recent Town Hall Meeting at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, on June 5.During the meeting, Roche, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray fielded questions from 300 people about various Air Force issues.As closing discussions focused on Roche’s pending nomination to become secretary of the Army, Murray told the secretary all the Air Force command chiefs contacted him and wanted him to pass on a message.“Mr. Secretary, we absolutely cannot believe that your nomination will not go forward, and we recognize that you’ll soon be leaving to become the secretary of the Army,” Murray said. “We are envious of the Army, but are thankful for the time we’ve had you as secretary.“In this forum today, I would like to request that you join the enlisted men and women of the United States Air Force on the occasion to be inducted into the United States Air Force Order of the Sword in a ceremony.”Pushing his glasses to the top of his head and wiping tears, Roche accepted an Order of the Sword plaque from Murray and said he was truly honored with the induction invitation.“This is something I would not have expected -- I didn’t think I had worked long enough or hard enough to ever come near to earning this,” he said. “Thank you all very much; you’ll always be in my heart.”Reflecting on Roches’ time as Air Force secretary, Jumper said the service has never had a secretary who has cared more about people.“When I say our people, I mean every kind of person -- military or civilian, (Air National) Guard or Reserve, minority or majority or those who feel they’ve not been cared for or are on the back burner of the Air Force,” Jumper said. “The secretary has managed to be out there in touch with every one of those groups. If the nomination (to become secretary of the Army) does come through, we’ll support (our) new secretary with all the vigor we always do, but there will be a big empty spot in our hearts for Secretary Roche.”Historical records show that the Order of the Sword started unofficially in the 1500s. In 1522, King Gustavus the First of Sweden enjoined the noblemen he commissioned to appoint officers to serve him -- accountants, builders, craftsmen, teachers, scribes and others responsible for conducting the ordinary daily affairs of the kingdom.The system worked so well it was incorporated into the Swedish army as a way to establish and maintain a cohesive, disciplined, well-trained force to protect lives and property in the kingdom. These ancient NCOs would honor their leader and pledge their loyalty by ceremoniously presenting him with a sword.The sword, a symbol of truth, justice and power rightfully used, served as a token for all to see and know that here was a “leader among leaders” and a “man among men.” This ceremony became known as the “Royal Order of the Sword.”It was passed through the ages, coming to America about the time of the Revolutionary War. It lay dormant for many years. The only known instance of its use was in the 1860s when Gen. Robert E. Lee was presented a sword by his command.U.S. Air Force NCOs revised and updated the “Royal Order of the Sword” ceremony and adopted it in 1967.