The Boss
We were on detachment at Edinburgh Field in 1971 having tanked some Lightnings there from Tengah for the 50th Anniversary of the RAAF to do flypasts at Adelaide and Melbourne.
At any of the functions/Mess/social events etc the Aussies always asked us why we called the Wg Cdr ‘Boss’.
I’d no idea, having called them Boss for at least eight years.
(Of course Rule 1 on V Force was fly with the Boss if you could, knowing he’d pinch all the best routes) !
At any of the functions/Mess/social events etc the Aussies always asked us why we called the Wg Cdr ‘Boss’.
I’d no idea, having called them Boss for at least eight years.
(Of course Rule 1 on V Force was fly with the Boss if you could, knowing he’d pinch all the best routes) !
So it's really a case of cultural misappropriation?
IG
Certainly widespread in the [civilian] Met Offices embedded on RAF stations ......... right back as far as 1961.
megan:-
You'll have to explain that one, if you don't mind. As has been stated in other posts this was never official, never completely widespread. It was usually an affectionate way of referring to the CO when he wasn't present, as distinct from the unaffectionate way by using his surname. When he was present and being addressed it was usually as "Sir", at least on most Transport Squadrons as Brian48Nav has already said.
The RAF has/had many issues over the years but class distinction was never a major one. As a predominantly technical Service it drew its personnel from all backgrounds and many from humble backgrounds rose to high rank. Rather than being indicative of the UK class system I would suggest that the voluntary use of the term "Boss" shows an acceptance of his/her authority over you that reflects his/her ability rather than any right of birth.
Wonder if the UK class system and the non commissioned aircrew of old had a role to play?
The RAF has/had many issues over the years but class distinction was never a major one. As a predominantly technical Service it drew its personnel from all backgrounds and many from humble backgrounds rose to high rank. Rather than being indicative of the UK class system I would suggest that the voluntary use of the term "Boss" shows an acceptance of his/her authority over you that reflects his/her ability rather than any right of birth.
I ended up as 214's longest serving member in 1976, having joined it in 1971. Served under four squadron commanders and none of them were ever addressed as or even referred to as "boss". I always associated this with FJ squadrons - don't know how true that was.
I was quite pleased to be on the CO's crew when the squadron was tasked with taking a Jaguar out to Nellis for hot weather trials. This involved a weekend in Las Vegas, staying downtown, not on the base. Guess which crew got the trip!
There is no point of having power if you cannot abuse it.
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I’m sure I remember reading an anecdote in a neighbour’s copy of Tee Emm about a squadron CO asking a mechanic what he was working on, and being dismayed at the Americanisation of squadron titles when said mechanic replied “I’m servicing the prop boss” 🙄
This dates it to the 1940s.
This dates it to the 1940s.
Railway talk.
I was Pilotman on some Single Line Working from New Barnet to Finsbury Park a few years ago, and the Hand Signallers were of African origin. They insisted in calling me ‘Boss’, and I must admit I wasn’t too comfortable about it. I did ask them to call me Andy, but they insisted in calling me ‘Boss’.
I was Pilotman on some Single Line Working from New Barnet to Finsbury Park a few years ago, and the Hand Signallers were of African origin. They insisted in calling me ‘Boss’, and I must admit I wasn’t too comfortable about it. I did ask them to call me Andy, but they insisted in calling me ‘Boss’.
Here is a report from an attack flown on 21 Mar 1945 by FS Marsh Walters of 450 Sqn RAAF:
This was my twenty-seventh bombing sortie; by far the biggest I flew on and the only time we operated as a wing with all five squadrons together. At briefing, the Boss told us that we had a special target and that no bombs must go astray under any circumstances. If we were unsure, we had to drop the bombs in the water. He also said that it had to be a complete success because there was no way we wanted to go back for a second attack with all the defences alerted. He then unrolled the map and we saw that the target was Venice, which came as a surprise so we immediately understood why it was essential to be accurate. Each squadron was given a specific aiming point and our target was a 700-ton coaster but, if it was already hit as we dived down, we were free to select another target in the same area. Before taking off we studied a detailed map of the dock area and the layout of the docks was imprinted on our minds.
Railway talk.
I was Pilotman on some Single Line Working from New Barnet to Finsbury Park a few years ago, and the Hand Signallers were of African origin. They insisted in calling me ‘Boss’, and I must admit I wasn’t too comfortable about it. I did ask them to call me Andy, but they insisted in calling me ‘Boss’.
I was Pilotman on some Single Line Working from New Barnet to Finsbury Park a few years ago, and the Hand Signallers were of African origin. They insisted in calling me ‘Boss’, and I must admit I wasn’t too comfortable about it. I did ask them to call me Andy, but they insisted in calling me ‘Boss’.
But the more I asked them to call.me Phil the more stressed they got.So from thereon I just tried to make a joke of it.
Last edited by phil9560; 29th Sep 2019 at 21:32.
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Struggling with some of this, thought it was a question why RAF Sqn Cdrs are called Boss.
My first Boss was Sir on first encounter each day then Boss, same on second etc ........... Then, when I was Boss same.
My first Boss was Sir on first encounter each day then Boss, same on second etc ........... Then, when I was Boss same.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
So Boss is ancient. How about Uncle?
I know there was an attempt to resurrect San Uncles. How about origin?
I know there was an attempt to resurrect San Uncles. How about origin?
How about origin?
Didn't Shakespeare have people call each other 'nuncle, as in "mine uncle". Not sure whether Shakespeare was in a fast jet squadron, though...
Gentleman Aviator
I had a sqn boss who, one Monday morning, looked quite agitated after I’d asked him how his weekend was. I enquired of him ‘Boss, are you alright?’ He then proceeded to tell me that ‘everyone calls me boss and I find it very disrespectful’.
As someone I once called "Boss" explained:
"There are hundreds of people you have to call Sir [one would add Ma'am these days], but only one you can call "Boss". And then only if you want to."
Works for me.
I was fortunate enough to visit a certain military ATC unit today. Which included a visit upstairs to local. Whilst chatting with the delightful young lady ATCO, I asked her whether she'd enjoyed being posted to the station. "Well, yes - but I'll have to say that anyway, because the Boss is listening", she answered with a smile. "OK, I'll nip downstairs for a moment", said the SATCO. "Yes, I certainly do enjoy being here", she continued...
Good to know that 'Boss' is still in use as a term of mutual respect for those in charge at the top!
Good to know that 'Boss' is still in use as a term of mutual respect for those in charge at the top!
Always preferred "Boss" to "Sir" in the dim distant days gone by when I qualified for either epithet.
Having hung-up the bonedome for the last time in July, there is only one person I refer to now as The Boss - and she's telling me its time for my medication/ snooze/ lunch/ whatever (I still don't really listen).
Normal mode of address in the RN.
It became a unique sobriquet for Australia's (then) richest man, Kerry Packer, whose pilot called him Boss. In return Kerry would always address his ex-RN aviator Nick as 'Biggles'
It became a unique sobriquet for Australia's (then) richest man, Kerry Packer, whose pilot called him Boss. In return Kerry would always address his ex-RN aviator Nick as 'Biggles'