19 June 2007

Warrant Officer Dave Smart is a patient man.

Neither soldiers with what seem to be two left feet, nor sailors who want to drill at double time, faze this affable Formation Sergeant Major.

He is responsible for ensuring much of the New Zealand Defence Force’s drill and ceremonial guards are polished, professional and a fitting display for whatever the occasion.

The military precision and smooth operation that royalty, overseas dignitaries, and the general public see, however, often belies what goes on during rehearsals.

“I like to think I'm patient. I have to be. If you get frustrated doing this sort of work, and you do, you just have to stop, and go away for a few minutes, then come back to it. When I first started I thought everyone needed to be at the same standard, but that is never going to happen, not when there are often almost 200 people across three Services involved. We do aim to project a very professional image though, and I think we achieve that.”

The government requires the New Zealand Defence Force to ceremonially welcome visiting dignitaries, and to mark other significant occasions such as the opening of Parliament, credential ceremonies and laying of wreaths at the National War Memorial.

The requirements are steeped in tradition and diplomacy, much of which harks back to the 16th century when the Trooping of Colours, guard inspections, pickets and saluting had a practical military purpose, as well as being complimentary to dignitaries and visitors.

The guard of honour can be single or tri-Service, and the number of personnel in a guard is dictated by the guest’s status, for example, Royalty and Heads of State are afforded a 100-man guard, while New Zealand’s Prime Minister and Defence chiefs receive a 50-man guard.

There are protocols to observe: sometimes a battalion’s Colours are presented, a gun salute fired, or a Royal salute delivered.

Despite having organised dozens of honour guards for visitors ranging from Prince Andrew and the President of Finland, to the Prime Minister of Australia and Ambassadors presenting their credentials to the Governor General, WO 1 Smart says he never tires of the responsibility. Protocol, he says, has always been important to him throughout his career.

After graduating as a Regular Force cadet he trained as a radio teleprinter operator in the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals. He later qualified as an instructor at the School of Signals, and went on to become the school’s Communication Information Systems Warrant Officer. He held senior trade appointments at the 2nd Signals Squadron before being promoted to his current rank.

He has served in Bougainville, East Timor and the Sinai. In June 2004 he was posted to the United States Army Sergeant Majors Academy. To WO 1 Smart drill equates to good teamwork. “It is a big group of people – often strangers – doing the same thing at the same time, and in time with each other.

“In general the men and women in the guard know what they’re doing, and know their professionalism is on display. A guard is usually the first thing visitors see of our military, so we aim to make it the best we can.”

Coordination and marching in time, doesn't come naturally to everyone, he has discovered. The Navy’s drill and speed of certain movements, differs from the Army and Air Force. It’s all a matter of choreography.

“We always rehearse, so we all know where to go and what to do. The biggest issue is timing. The Navy’s drill movements are performed quickly – quicker than Air and Army. In a tri-Service guard everyone has to be doing the same movement at the same time. I get the Navy to slow down a bit and Air and Army to speed up. We work on the fundamentals, and then as a group it all usually comes together. If the weather is good on the day, and everyone does what they are supposed to, it can be very satisfying.”

WHY DRILL? While today’s drill and guards of honour are ceremonial, historically they served a practical military purpose. Towards the end of the 16th century soldiers were drawn up in squares of 25 men that in turn formed a square of 100. In battle the front rank fired, marched to the rear, and then reloaded. When the other nine ranks had done the same, the first was ready to fire again. The postures, commands and evolutions are based on the British example, which was standardised throughout the British Army in 1795. Since the 17th century drill has gone through many changes, and different aids have been used to help attain perfection, including drums, metronomes, markers, pulse watches and pace sticks. (Source - Why?)

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