A Fitting Welcome Home to the RAF Regiment
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Diginagain - I'm not quite sure how to take that remark. My comments were purely aimed at those petty folk deriding the chap in the photo for actually attempting to shape his beret rather than wear it straight from the pack as many RAF personnel seem to.
Was your comment meant to make me feel guilty for something I said or something else?
Was your comment meant to make me feel guilty for something I said or something else?
Stacks, my reply was going to be a leg-pull about war stories and Rockapes, then I remembered a young man of my acqaintance who was on R&R when his room at Basra Airport got a mortar round. He lost three mates, as well as all of his personal possessions and photos and mail from my niece.
He deployed to somewhere sandy again last month.
Frankly, and despite ripping the pi55 out of the Rocks on other fora, I feel that he and his mates can have whatever shaped beret they wish.
Hope this clarifies.
He deployed to somewhere sandy again last month.
Frankly, and despite ripping the pi55 out of the Rocks on other fora, I feel that he and his mates can have whatever shaped beret they wish.
Hope this clarifies.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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I remember the SWO at Catterick standing at the door as we all unsuspectadly filed out after breakfast. Beret check.. DOFF HEADRESS!!
No lining..? Rrrrip!! "Double away to stores lad, they're wai£ing for you".
WO Sutherland at Akr too, used to lurk in the bushes to check our boot tread.
Top blokes, proper SWOs.
No lining..? Rrrrip!! "Double away to stores lad, they're wai£ing for you".
WO Sutherland at Akr too, used to lurk in the bushes to check our boot tread.
Top blokes, proper SWOs.
Agreed, Al. Although sometimes their zeal can have unfortunate consequences...
At one station, the queue of cars trying to get in every day increased noticeably. At this station, the domestic area was across a public road from the main part of the station.
It seems that a new, somewhat zealous SWO had arrived and he was always (and quite rightly) pulling up tatty-looking airmen who walked from their blocks to their place of work. So they had all taken to driving into work as that meant a different queue immune from the eagle eye of the SWO.
Those of us who had no option but to drive in (my morning trip was 42 min - the squadron had moved to the new location in the last few months of my tour...), were getting fed up with the time it was taking to get through the gate every day. So OC Admin was informed - and a few days later the SWO found a new pouncing spot. No-one was immune from his keen eye from then on as they never knew where he was going to appear from.
The station became noticeably smarter very quickly indeed!
At one station, the queue of cars trying to get in every day increased noticeably. At this station, the domestic area was across a public road from the main part of the station.
It seems that a new, somewhat zealous SWO had arrived and he was always (and quite rightly) pulling up tatty-looking airmen who walked from their blocks to their place of work. So they had all taken to driving into work as that meant a different queue immune from the eagle eye of the SWO.
Those of us who had no option but to drive in (my morning trip was 42 min - the squadron had moved to the new location in the last few months of my tour...), were getting fed up with the time it was taking to get through the gate every day. So OC Admin was informed - and a few days later the SWO found a new pouncing spot. No-one was immune from his keen eye from then on as they never knew where he was going to appear from.
The station became noticeably smarter very quickly indeed!
Join Date: Apr 2008
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SWO's.
Funningley 1976. 100 or so airmen walking to work down the main drag. 1 minus beret. SWO out of the guardroom like a flash.
"YOU, AIRMAN" he bellows down the road.
100 guys stop and turn.
"WHERE'S YOUR HEADGEAR?"
99 airmen breathe a sigh of relief.
"Sorry sir" came the bleated reply. "I've got a chit from the Medical Centre"
"WELL WEAR YOUR F*****G CHIT THEN!!"
99 airmen p1ss themselves laughing.
Proper SWO's, bless 'em.
Funningley 1976. 100 or so airmen walking to work down the main drag. 1 minus beret. SWO out of the guardroom like a flash.
"YOU, AIRMAN" he bellows down the road.
100 guys stop and turn.
"WHERE'S YOUR HEADGEAR?"
99 airmen breathe a sigh of relief.
"Sorry sir" came the bleated reply. "I've got a chit from the Medical Centre"
"WELL WEAR YOUR F*****G CHIT THEN!!"
99 airmen p1ss themselves laughing.
Proper SWO's, bless 'em.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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I overheard a chat between a Regt SWO and a Guin FS. Feel free to allow 10% embellishment from the patina of time, 10% from my crap memory and 10% from wistful nostalgia.
SWO: "Look Flight, how can the my NCOs keep standards up if you're looking like you've just got out of bed?"
Guin: "Look.. sir (chip --> shoulder.. GO) I'm paid to take f#cked helicopters and make them all nice and shiny again."
SWO: "And I am paid to take f#cked SNCOs and make them all nice and shiny again. I'll stay behind after work tonight, make sure you're at my office for inspection by no later than 1900 would you? Thanks.".
Taxyduel: When there was a tunnel between the WRAF Block and 15's Block, you never needed the Stamford Steamers. Although they did provide an element of variety and more stimulating conversation. Apparantly.
SWO: "Look Flight, how can the my NCOs keep standards up if you're looking like you've just got out of bed?"
Guin: "Look.. sir (chip --> shoulder.. GO) I'm paid to take f#cked helicopters and make them all nice and shiny again."
SWO: "And I am paid to take f#cked SNCOs and make them all nice and shiny again. I'll stay behind after work tonight, make sure you're at my office for inspection by no later than 1900 would you? Thanks.".
Taxyduel: When there was a tunnel between the WRAF Block and 15's Block, you never needed the Stamford Steamers. Although they did provide an element of variety and more stimulating conversation. Apparantly.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Forgive my ignorance but is the guy in the picture a rock? Looks like an SAC Rank slide, has the Regt changed dress policy on SACs wearing the propellers??
That aside, good to see the 3 Sqn lads home.
Per Ardua
That aside, good to see the 3 Sqn lads home.
Per Ardua
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Hi Johnny,
Not sure how long you've been out, but as with many things in the RAF, where the Corps leads, well.. the rest follow (improved fitness levels, stable belts, subdued badges of rank, personality, charisma and appeal to the opposite gender*, organisation slides etc etc).
The 'RAF Regiment' slides dissapeared a few years back to be replaced by small mudguards of the type you may have worn? As to SAC rank slides being worn these days, I'm not sure either - I've certainly not seen any on a gunner in Stamford or Oakham. It always seemed a bit daft, SACs wearing rank slides - if you weren't an NCO, then why bother? Only NCOs need to have a badge of authority, shirley?
Perhaps someone could clarify?
Per Ardua
(* work in progress)
Not sure how long you've been out, but as with many things in the RAF, where the Corps leads, well.. the rest follow (improved fitness levels, stable belts, subdued badges of rank, personality, charisma and appeal to the opposite gender*, organisation slides etc etc).
The 'RAF Regiment' slides dissapeared a few years back to be replaced by small mudguards of the type you may have worn? As to SAC rank slides being worn these days, I'm not sure either - I've certainly not seen any on a gunner in Stamford or Oakham. It always seemed a bit daft, SACs wearing rank slides - if you weren't an NCO, then why bother? Only NCOs need to have a badge of authority, shirley?
Perhaps someone could clarify?
Per Ardua
(* work in progress)
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The posting to Afghanistan of a certain female Group Captain?
I'm intrigued.
Dish the dirt, then.
This is, after all, a rumour network. And that has RUMOUR written all over it, galloping over the horizon towards us on a big black horse, blowing a bugle with a purple leprechaun riding pillion shouting through a megaphone,'Guess what?!'.
I'm intrigued.
Dish the dirt, then.
This is, after all, a rumour network. And that has RUMOUR written all over it, galloping over the horizon towards us on a big black horse, blowing a bugle with a purple leprechaun riding pillion shouting through a megaphone,'Guess what?!'.
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Monty
Non story - just normal business - sorry:
RAF's first female Force Commander ready for Afghanistan - Rutland & Stamford Mercury
Non story - just normal business - sorry:
RAF's first female Force Commander ready for Afghanistan - Rutland & Stamford Mercury
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The chap in the photo isn't a rock.
I believe he is 85 (EL) Wing.
I believe he is 85 (EL) Wing.
Join Date: Jul 1999
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But do we know for certain that the photograph relates to the 'Peterborough Incident'. This could be a completely different matter. Lots of Poles in Peterborough. 
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Its been a long time since I cared about anything like this, and I too mourn the loss of good SWOs, but isn't the beret supposed to be worn with the badge over the left eye and the "flappy bit" on the right side of the head? This chap appears to have his on, at least 45 degrees out!!! 
Any good SWO would have sorted this "fashion" 
out by now!!
Any good SWO would have sorted this "fashion" out by now!!
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Roland,
While it wasn't/shouldn't be done in public as this lad was doing the photo below shows that almost 30 years ago Regiment lads wore their berets as "flat hats" quite frequently...
While it wasn't/shouldn't be done in public as this lad was doing the photo below shows that almost 30 years ago Regiment lads wore their berets as "flat hats" quite frequently...
As often as not it was to use the peak as a "sunshade"... Obviously, on this occasion it was for more "frivilous" reasons... 
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AA,
Reference the eleven balloon shot.. I'm assuming thats you on the right.
On the left - Steve? Married an Irish lass and mates with Danny?
Roland,
A lot depends on how its done doesn't it? Some hapless erk who needs kit inspections for a month of sundays shouldn't be allowed to be seen in public AT ALL, let alone with a ferret like that. However, a squared away airman with an ally beret that has been boil washed, shrunk lovingly and shaved to within an inch of its life..? Well, there should be a QR to allow them, surely??!!
Reference the eleven balloon shot.. I'm assuming thats you on the right.
On the left - Steve? Married an Irish lass and mates with Danny?
Roland,
A lot depends on how its done doesn't it? Some hapless erk who needs kit inspections for a month of sundays shouldn't be allowed to be seen in public AT ALL, let alone with a ferret like that. However, a squared away airman with an ally beret that has been boil washed, shrunk lovingly and shaved to within an inch of its life..? Well, there should be a QR to allow them, surely??!!
However, a squared away airman with an ally beret that has been boil washed, shrunk lovingly and shaved to within an inch of its life..? Well, there should be a QR to allow them, surely??!!
You may wish to think so, IMHO, I just think they make the wearer look like a c
K. This is just a naff "fashion" but it is now getting to a stupid extreme. Still, there are a lot more important things in life to worry about, so why should I care?And I apologise to the Rocks for the topic creep!!
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Al:
Cx PM's
There should, absolutely, be QR's referring to the proper care and feeding of a beret.
Roland:
One could guess by your response that you were an officer type and was one of those that were guilty of confusing landing helicopter pilots with your "Alternate HLS".
Cx PM's
There should, absolutely, be QR's referring to the proper care and feeding of a beret.
Roland:
One could guess by your response that you were an officer type and was one of those that were guilty of confusing landing helicopter pilots with your "Alternate HLS".
AA
Not me. My beret is/was carefully and lovingly crafted, no alternate HLSs for me. I just know how to wear it correctly; I did not want to be confused with Andy Capp. Being short and rotund I didn't need the "flat cap" as well!
Of course, as my old Flight Commander used to say "a beret is not proper dress for Hofficers, only those of the Rock persuasion would ever wear one."
Not me. My beret is/was carefully and lovingly crafted, no alternate HLSs for me. I just know how to wear it correctly; I did not want to be confused with Andy Capp. Being short and rotund I didn't need the "flat cap" as well!
Of course, as my old Flight Commander used to say "a beret is not proper dress for Hofficers, only those of the Rock persuasion would ever wear one."