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Shiny-Pedia - Pacesticking
Pace Sticking - History:
The Royal Regiment of Artillery claim to be the
originator of the pace-stick. It was used by it's field
gun teams to ensure correct distances between the guns.
However, this pace stick was
 more
like a walking stick, with a silver or ivory knob. It
cannot be manipulated like we know today as it opened
like a pair of calipers. From the beginning the infantry
developed the pace stick as an aid to drill. In 1928,
the late Arthur Brand MVO MBE developed a drill for
pace-sticks. The stick that he used is still kept in the
Warrant Officers and Sergeants mess at the Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst.
In 1952 the Academy Sergeant Major (the late John Lord
MVO MBE) started a 'pace-sticking competition'. This
competition was held annually between Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst and the Guards Depot. It was
originally four Sergeants in the team and a Warrant
Officer as the team captain who acted as the driver and
gave the words of command over the course which involved
marching in slow and quick time whilst alternating
turning the stick with the left or right hand. The teams
are now modified to a frontage of three Sergeants but
the driver still remains a Warrant Officer. Since the
closing of the Guards Depot in April 1993 the annual
competition has demised, however the All Arms (World
Championships) pace sticking competition still carries
on and is held annually at Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst. Teams from all over the world compete in
different categories for the title of World Champion
Pace-Sticking team or the prestigious individual World
Pace-Stick Champion.
Pace Stick -
Description:
A pace stick usually consists of two pieces of wood,
hinged at the top, and tapering towards the bottom, very
similar to large wooden drafting compasses used on
school blackboards. They are usually shod and fitted
with highly-polished brass. They can open so that the
tips separate at fixed distances, corresponding to
various lengths of marching pace, such as "double
march", "quick march", "step short", etc. When opened to
the correct pace length, the pace stick can be held
alongside the holder's body by the hinge, with one leg
of the stick vertical to the ground, and the other leg
pointing forward. By twirling the stick while marching,
the stick can be made to "walk" alongside its holder at
the proper pace.
Otherwise, while on parade or when marching, it is
normally carried tucked tightly under the left arm and
parallel to the ground, with the left hand grasping the
stick near the top.
A similar stick is the drill cane or regimental stick.
This is a shorter cane, usually fitted on one end by a
shell casing and on the other by the forward part of a
shell, complete with the bullet; these are often
chromed, or left in their natural brass, but highly
polished. In the Canadian Forces, and Australian Army,
the round usually used is a .50 calibre round. They are
carried on parade solely as an indicator of rank and
authority by senior non-commissioned officers and
warrant officers, and their use is generally governed
(or restricted altogether) by the RSM.
Pace sticks can be opened to specific distances,
which each measure specific things:
12" Distance
between heels when at ease, and regulation side pace
21"
Distance between ranks when stood in closed order
24" Distance
between files, also width of one 'man' when leaving a
blank file
27"
Stepping short, inside rank when wheeling
30"
Regulation pace for quick and slow march
33" Stepping
out, outside rank when wheeling
40"
Regulation pace for double time
Pace Stick Drill -
Objective:
The objective of the pace stick drill is to provide
uniformity in the use of the stick and a high standard
of steadiness and cohesion amongst the instructors. The
stick is used to determine the correct length of the
pace, distance between the ranks and to check drill
movement. The instructor marches with the stick open
next to the squad. By using the stick he can check the
length of the pace, and then lengthen or shorten the
pace.
See
Battalion Inter Company Competitions in
2003 at Londonderry -
2004 at Aldershot -
2006 at Windsor.
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