OSI's enlisted Airmen honor OSI commander with invitation to the Order of the Sword

  • Published
  • By James C. Dillard
  • OSI Public Affairs
QUANTICO, Va. --  The Air Force Office of Special Investigations enlisted Airmen, including Command Chief Master Sgt. John Fine, officially invited the OSI commander Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Jacobsen to an Order of the Sword Ceremony to be held this summer.

Jacobsen received the invitation to the order today during an enlisted call at OSI headquarters in Quantico, Va.

"This means so much to me because of who it's coming from," Jacobsen said. "This will be one of those memories I cherish for the rest of my life. I'm beyond humbled that OSI's enlisted force would consider me for such a distinguished recognition."

Jacobsen is the fifth person from OSI to be inducted into the Order of the Sword since the order was established in OSI on June 14, 1985. The Air Force's Order of the Sword was founded by the enlisted force to recognize and honor military senior officers and civilian equivalents, for significant contributions to the welfare and prestige of the Air Force enlisted corps, mission effectiveness as well as the overall military establishment.

"This is a great day for the command because the enlisted members of OSI were able to officially recognize General Jacobsen for his significant contributions to the enlisted force," Fine said. "In his 32 years of service, from his time as a second lieutenant in the missile career field through today, he has always valued the importance of the enlisted force."

The Order of the Sword is patterned after two orders of chivalry founded during the Middle Ages in Europe, the Royal Order of the Sword and the Swedish Military Order of the Sword, both of which are still in existence. The noncommissioned officer corps was established early in the twelfth century. In 1522, King Gustavus I of Sweden bid his commissioned noblemen to appoint officers to serve him. The people became noncommissioned officers who 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.

This tradition came to the United States as early as the Revolutionary War, and after years in dormancy, was revived in the 1860s when Gen. Robert E. Lee was presented a sword by his command.