Medieval Knight vs Modern Day Soldier

The success of a medieval civilization is known by the caliber of its defense and weapons system. Based on its resources and manpower, every country has its protection system. Though these vary over time, adjusted according to the norms of a society, the basic role of protection remained the same. In any institutional space, Middles Ages were the epitome of growth and sophistication. Same is the case with their Warcraft and defense system. As advanced as the present defense system, the army, and warriors of European Medieval times were no less than their modern-day counterparts. Being at different times they have a handful of different qualities and characteristics leading to a contrast between present and historical defense units. Who would be winning a present-day deadly combat, a medieval European knight or modern-day US soldier? An interesting comparison of such kind is done as follows that will lead us near to the answer to this question. A soldier is known for his skills, weapons and how ready and dressed he is for the combat. We will be analyzing the combaters of different times on the basis of their defensive training and military armors and medieval weaponry.

How well trained?

Present times definitely have superior and advanced training skills. US marines have devised their own style of martial arts for the great amount of recursive hand to hand combat as compared to other present-day military units. The US military style is termed as MCAMP (Marine Corps Program). They are given extensive training according to their self-devised style matching the current trends and skills of this world’s combaters. Before reaching the actual units they are deployed in, it is made sure that they are completely trained in the boot camp more than once for the skills required to be used in the deadly encounters. Though this is an efficient training, it is in no way at par with the skills a medieval knight had received as warriors. They were given this rank of being a warrior from a very early age, receiving and learning the skills from the childhood and being trained for the protection of their lord and castle in any time of need. They have the edge over US Marine soldiers as their weapons were not that advanced in those times, yet they had all the skills to combat the attacker with their old weapons. Their training included many series of steps. They started off as a subordinate to another more experienced and skilled knight being ranked on the position of a page. During this process, they learned many skills of a knight combat warrior. Page was then moved up to the position of another rank termed as a squire, though he was still an assistant to a knight he had the honor to go into the battle with his head knight. Eventually, after ample amount of experience and training, they were promoted to the position of a knight soldier. Their training steps were done through series of practice exercises and events. They practiced training while hunting, participating in tournaments, debauchery and running the ring; all of these made them stronger and skilled in the battles. US army ranks in the present day also process in the same order starting from the entrance rank as private proceeded to higher training ranks after sufficient training. Extensive training leading to better fighting techniques shows us that ‘Practice makes a man perfect’ a code of practice is shared among both the fighters of different times. A US marine had the ultimate protection role and to start a fight when required in the extreme circumstances, only when proclaimed and announced to do under the orders. Knights were more experienced as they could start a fight anytime. They were trained to go to any extent in their battles in the name of their lords and castle whenever they find necessary. In addition to the combat training, the chivalry code of conduct followed by the knights bounded them to be more of a soldier in every aspect, keeping all the skills intact at every time. They were presumed to show courage, generosity, honor, loyalty, and courtesy at the same time in every situation. They were specially taught to be highly respectful towards ladies as well and were termed as ‘knights in shining' armor due to all these magnificent characteristics.

How well dressed?

Variants of Interceptor Body Armor System is used by marines today which provides ballistic protection against bullets of 9mm round across almost the entire body and with some additional protection against the vital areas of abdomen and chest. Relative the amount of protection they provide they are very lightweight and mobile. Though the Knights' armors were also made keeping the mobility characteristic intact, marines have good range motion, far better than knights.   That being stated a ballistic protection still is not in any way able to protect against sword attacks. These armors are not designed in any way to give protection from large edged weapons. Even after all the present day, combat tactics present day marines cannot prepare themselves to curb from a sword or a knife attack speaking from melee point of view, neither can he defend himself from that by their practical cloth made armor. Another one up for knights in the comparison.

How well Equipped?

Moving on to weaponry; the modern combats' ballistic missiles and fast-paced bullet guns can be the deadlier versions of the Medieval swords and knives, but still, the practicality of those edged weapons is incomparable. Their sophistication and immediate results make them not only at par with technologically advanced weapons yet can be ranked as better as well.

How well compared?

In conclusion, the practical weapons, extensive rigorous training from the earlier age, being prepared for melee combats and better fighting armors knights are found to superior and in a position to beat a present-day US marine in any fight. But still one has to keep in mind that those were trained according to their respective civilization and requirements of those ages. The present-day US marines, their weapons, and tactics are devised for modern combats and give responses to the likewise trained attackers. There is a difference of ages between them and all the related characteristics. They can be each other's equivalent or superiors according to a varying point of views but they occur in altogether different times. Consider the fact that in 800 or so years a similar comparison might be done stating "Who is the better combater a 21st century US marine or a present-day space commando, with all the Space Commando’s plasma swords, photon blasters, cybernetic power suits, or holoshields?" Who knows US marines might probably win that one!