Well, if I'm reading your question right, you've asked me:
A.) What I think of the value of militaries training against and with sword-type weapons, and
B.) Whether or not I think training in a sword art would equip a person to defend against strikes with sticks.
To the first part, I think the value for militaries is distinctly different than the value for civilians. Militaries carry that kind of gear as a part of their regularly issued kit, so it makes perfect sense to train with it nad be capable with it. That benefit and practicality ends abruptly when you enter the civilian world where carrying a bolo around all day might be inappropriate or unfeasible.
As to the second, yes, I think a kendo person would do pretty well against an overhead strike with a broomstick, etc. The real question is, when would he really have to? Are muggings being propegated these days by broom wielding assailants who strike overhead? From the crime stats, it's more likely that an average attacker will use tools like sucker punches, knives, or guns (or groups) in their attacks. The reason for that is very much the same as the reason why training the sword is impractical in itself: It's not easy to carry or conceal a long stick or blade. Criminals would get farther with a knife or gun, because it's easy to conceal, and that will get them a lot farther than a stick or sword anyway. So the ability of a Kendo person to deal with strikes like the ones you mentioned has very little bearing, since those are not generally the kinds of attacks they're likely to face.
Hope that answers the question...
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