SWO AND HIS STICK
Cunning Artificer
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tmmorris - 1977.
We first met when we entered the mess, sat down and ordered lunch. The waitress served us and retreated behind the counter. Shortly afterwards, the GSM marched into the room with all the other SNCOs following in single file, in rank order. GSM comes over to our table "Ah! You must be Royal Air Force!" "Yes, sir!" Says we, standing up. Without another word, he marches to his place, the other Sergeants go to theirs, the GSM sits, everyone else sits.
We got the message and brought up the rear for the rest of our sojourn. He was a great storyteller in the bar on an evening.
We first met when we entered the mess, sat down and ordered lunch. The waitress served us and retreated behind the counter. Shortly afterwards, the GSM marched into the room with all the other SNCOs following in single file, in rank order. GSM comes over to our table "Ah! You must be Royal Air Force!" "Yes, sir!" Says we, standing up. Without another word, he marches to his place, the other Sergeants go to theirs, the GSM sits, everyone else sits.
We got the message and brought up the rear for the rest of our sojourn. He was a great storyteller in the bar on an evening.
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Certainly back in the 60s the SWO carried a pace stick during practice parades. When I was with 114 Sqn at Benson back then we had a Standard presentation, there were endless practices before the real thing. The SWO was Mr 'Bog' Holt (I seem to remember the soubriquet referred to his bog-brush moustache). He was highly respected, and quite fearsome. I remember he had no qualms about correcting the Sqn Cdr (Wg Cdr C R Evans, anyone remember him?), and as for us JOs, after a couple of sessions with Mr Holt, our sword drill was immaculate!
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He would still be a highly respected CASWO even if he didnt carry a stick stuffed under his armpit.
I believe the ‘stick’ is part of his uniform as CASWO and without it, he is not considered to be properly dressed, you will be suggesting he can leave his tie off next.
I believe the ‘stick’ is part of his uniform as CASWO and without it, he is not considered to be properly dressed, you will be suggesting he can leave his tie off next.
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Jack Holt - SWO at Linton
Does anyone remember Jack Holt? He was SWO at Linton in c. 1979-80.
I made the mistake of crossing his path a couple of times when a stude, and he was pretty sharp about remembering peoples' faces.....
So when I diverted into LOO about a year later, sans hat, he took agin me again as I was going past SHQ on the way to the mess in my growbag.
He softened up a little when I explained and let me on my way. Apparently, he retired soon after and I heard he passed away after a very brief retirement.
MB
I made the mistake of crossing his path a couple of times when a stude, and he was pretty sharp about remembering peoples' faces.....
So when I diverted into LOO about a year later, sans hat, he took agin me again as I was going past SHQ on the way to the mess in my growbag.
He softened up a little when I explained and let me on my way. Apparently, he retired soon after and I heard he passed away after a very brief retirement.
MB
Last edited by Madbob; 17th May 2013 at 10:16.
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It could be worse. Imagine it, being a US Marine and carrying a brolly.
President Obama makes U.S. Marine break the rules, and he does not look happy about it!! | Mail Online
President Obama makes U.S. Marine break the rules, and he does not look happy about it!! | Mail Online
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Gender inequality!
Couldn't happen here could it? 
Edited to add - please carry on as usual ladies and gentlemen, I enjoy reading this forum.
By the way, what about "sauntering"?
Regulation MCO P1020.34F of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations chapter 3, rules out any use or carrying of an umbrella while a Marine is in uniform.
However, female Marines 'may carry an all-black, plain standard or collapsible umbrella at their option during inclement weather with the service and dress uniforms. It will be carried in the left hand so that the hand salute can be properly rendered.
However, female Marines 'may carry an all-black, plain standard or collapsible umbrella at their option during inclement weather with the service and dress uniforms. It will be carried in the left hand so that the hand salute can be properly rendered.
Edited to add - please carry on as usual ladies and gentlemen, I enjoy reading this forum.
By the way, what about "sauntering"?
Last edited by DX Wombat; 17th May 2013 at 22:06.
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I believe the ‘stick’ is part of his uniform as CASWO and without it, he is not considered to be properly dressed, you will be suggesting he can leave his tie off next.
Then what does he do with his piece of shiny wood?
Cunning Artificer
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"Sauntering" is what we ground crew did on our way to the airmen's mess. We certainly never did it at Halton, especially when 'Black Jim' Hadley was around.
(One alwaysknew when 'Black Jim' was around
)
(One alwaysknew when 'Black Jim' was around
)
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Without another word, he marches to his place, the other Sergeants go to theirs, the GSM sits, everyone else sits.
One of our more prickly Air Engs, known as 'Caring Ken, the Airman's friend' ("Take your hands out of your pocket when you're talking to my Captain, airman!") was once staying at some pongo mess. After a long day, he too was given the usual ignoring by the barman, but inquired as to the reason. He was told that the RSM had to be served first, or some such tradition.
Not to be outdone, Ken replied that he was senior to the RSM (true) and would like a beer. With which he was then served.
Enter the RSM and cronies in full "What's going on here then" mode. Caring Ken then gave him rather a firm explanation; the RSM realised he was up against someone with similar views to his own and they settled down for a very convivial session.
Not to be outdone, Ken replied that he was senior to the RSM (true) and would like a beer. With which he was then served.
Enter the RSM and cronies in full "What's going on here then" mode. Caring Ken then gave him rather a firm explanation; the RSM realised he was up against someone with similar views to his own and they settled down for a very convivial session.
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Quite right too Beags! The same happened to me at RAF Chessington. It was at the time, a tri-service mess. The CMC was an RSM and apparently the same rules were followed. Having had 'the rules' explained to me by the Corporal barman, I too explained that as we were in an RAF mess and that I too was senior to the RSM, if a beer didn't appear on the bar within 30 seconds, there was going to be trouble. The bar shutters were raised and beer swiftly arrived, followed 5 minutes later by the RSM. I simply smiled at him, offered to buy him a beer in 'our RAF Mess' and he just smiled back without uttering a word. Marvellous!
Are you per chance referring to Ken the Wet-man above?
Are you per chance referring to Ken the Wet-man above?
Last edited by PingDit; 18th May 2013 at 14:16.
Intrigued I am!
Please how is an RAF gent of WO and SNCO Mess status senior to an RSM .......? Am I barking up the wrong tree?
RSMs are WO I and, until recently at least [QR 1975 as amended], took precedence after:
1. Conductor RLC, RA Sgt Major, ASM RMAS, GSM London [all equal despite huffing and puffing by Conductors]
2. Master Gunner RA
3. GSM other than London
and then RSMs etc.
So [I am guessing] are/ were Master Aircrew somewhere in the 1,2,3 above?
You will note that, although RAF mad, my nolledge is woeful.
Please how is an RAF gent of WO and SNCO Mess status senior to an RSM .......? Am I barking up the wrong tree?
RSMs are WO I and, until recently at least [QR 1975 as amended], took precedence after:
1. Conductor RLC, RA Sgt Major, ASM RMAS, GSM London [all equal despite huffing and puffing by Conductors]
2. Master Gunner RA
3. GSM other than London
and then RSMs etc.
So [I am guessing] are/ were Master Aircrew somewhere in the 1,2,3 above?
You will note that, although RAF mad, my nolledge is woeful.
By date possibly but the army pecking order only involves consideration of date of warrant among "equals" eg. the Conductor/RW SM, AcSM and GSM London grouping.
It seems to matter a great deal to the army and always has!
And to anyone trying to get a drink of course.
It seems to matter a great deal to the army and always has!
And to anyone trying to get a drink of course.
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In reply to LB, yes, I was Macr of around 15 years standing at the time. Firstly, Macr came first in the Air Force List, above Warrant Officers. I was also the more senior of the two of us.
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