Swagger sticks were once in vogue in the United States Marine Corps, starting as an informal accessory carried by officers in the late 19th century. Homer Litzenberg holding a swagger stick in his official portrait in the late 1950s In the Royal Tank Regiment, officers carried an 'ash plant' or walking stick instead, in reference to World War I tank attacks, when officers would prepare lines of advance by testing the ground's firmness and suitability for tanks. In some Irish regiments in the British army, such as the Royal Irish Regiment (1992), officers carried a blackthorn walking stick, based on the shillelagh. Cavalry officers would often carry a riding crop rather than a swagger stick, in deference to their mounted traditions. This practice continues in some regiments, especially by warrant officers when in Barrack Dress. In the British Army and other military forces following the Commonwealth traditions, commissioned officers of most infantry regiments formerly carried swagger sticks (described as canes) when on duty, whilst warrant officers and senior NCOs carried pace sticks instead. Uniforms are no longer worn by British army personnel when off-duty, and the swagger stick has accordingly become obsolete. Until 1939 swagger sticks were still carried by peacetime regular soldiers when 'walking out' of barracks, but the practice ceased with the outbreak of World War II. It is thought that this practice was limited to the depot. Lawrence when he had enlisted in the Royal Air Force under the name of Ross, mentions that airmen under training at the RAF Depot at Uxbridge carried swagger sticks.

This practice was restricted to the army and Royal Marines, and was never imitated by the other services, although T. Cavalrymen carried a small riding cane instead of the swagger stick of infantry and other branches. The usual custom was for the private soldier or non-commissioned officer (NCO) to carry the stick tucked under his arm. The stick took the form of a short cane of polished wood, with an ornamented metal head of regimental pattern. In the British Army before World War I, swagger sticks were carried by all other ranks when off duty, as part of their walking out uniform.

1 stick vs 1000 marines