SWO AND HIS STICK
to earn the right to carry the stick
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 59°09N 002°38W (IATA: SOY, ICAO: EGER)
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RAF Sharjah 1963-64. SWO post was a FltSgt. When I got there the SWO was FS "Sid" Reilly, ruled with a light touch. His replacement (on his first overseas tour in 20+ years!) spent the first morning marching around in KD and Nr 1 SD hat b*llocking all and sundry for minor dress infringements then spent the next 48 hours in SSQ with heat stroke and severe dehydration. He did calm down a bit but was never as popular or as effective as Sid Reilly.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: East Anglia
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I was in the NAAFI at Akrotiri one lunchtime and observed the SWO ticking off a young F3 pilot for long hair, long sideburns, flight suit zip to his wait and wearing a blues brothers t-shirt. The SWO was simply and calmly pointing out that it was a challenge to keep the airman in line when the officers looked like a bunch of louts. The next amusing thing was the same JO then coming up to me complaining about the SWO's 'attack' on him..! Oh I laughed and suggested he registered his 'complaint' with his sqn cdr... The SWO however had beaten him to it...
One of the best I've seen was the SWO at Wittering in the mid 70's, if he caught anyone really out of line he would march them to the photo section for a front and side pic. The first a sqn cdr new about it was when the monthly stn mag appeared with the guilty mans pics complete with what section he came from. It really made the mag essential reading.
That same SWO bollocked me for holding my future wifes hand at the bus stop outside the camp, it was a Saturday morning and we were in civvies! - happy days..........
That same SWO bollocked me for holding my future wifes hand at the bus stop outside the camp, it was a Saturday morning and we were in civvies! - happy days..........
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
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I never came across a SWO who was a patch on the Garrison Sergeant Major at Aldershot. Now he really knew the meaning of discipline and maintaining standards, but I never heard him raise his voice or be anything other than perfectly polite . . .
. . . in a menacing sort of way.
"Speak softly, but carry a big stick"
. . . in a menacing sort of way.
"Speak softly, but carry a big stick"
Join Date: Feb 2006
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A good SWO is worth his (or her) weight in gold
..
Last edited by NutLoose; 14th May 2013 at 22:50.
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muttywhitedog Does it actually matter how it is carried and in which direction the stick faces?
In fact, what is the point of the stick at all?
In fact, what is the point of the stick at all?
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Sorry... ambling...
Last edited by NutLoose; 15th May 2013 at 21:18.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South of England
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Mutty, the point of the stick is the bit at the opposite end to the knob.
In case you're wondering, no! The knob I'm referring to is the embellishment on the end of the stick which you can see under Mr Sparks arm. He is a highly respected CASWO.
Rgds SOS
In case you're wondering, no! The knob I'm referring to is the embellishment on the end of the stick which you can see under Mr Sparks arm. He is a highly respected CASWO.
Rgds SOS
Last edited by SOSL; 16th May 2013 at 13:40.