Warrant Officer S R Griffin – Corps Warrant Officer
WO Shaun Griffin joined the RAF in 1986 and after successful completion of RAF recruit training at RAF Swinderby was posted to RAF Catterick to be trained as a RAF Regt Gunner. Upon graduation he undertook several tours on RAF Regt Squadrons in the UK and Germany and operational tours to the Falkland Islands and Belize. During this time, he also represented and captained both the RAF Regt Rugby League and the RAF Rugby League teams, playing at Inter Service level. Additionally, he represented various RAF Stations in association football and athletics.
Promoted to Corporal in 1996 he completed an overseas tour as a GDT Instructor as well as 6 years of service on a Joint Service Unit completing multiple operational tours in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. Promoted to Sergeant in 2004 he was subsequently posted to Training Wing as a Further Training Instructor. Here he delivered tactics and leadership training to potential RAF Regt Junior and Senior NCOs as well as future Officers. During this tour he was awarded an AOC 2 Group Commendation. A period on 3 Sqn RAF Regt as a Rifle Flight TAC Sgt followed with a return to Afghanistan.
While deployed he gained promotion to Flight Sergeant in 2009 and returned to Training Wing as FS RTS (B), responsible for supervising 6 training teams. He also spent time at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines as a means of sharing training techniques for which he was awarded a further AOC 2 Group Commendation. A tour on 1 Sqn RAF Regt followed as both FS Ops/Trg and FS ISTAR. During this time, he deployed to 906 EAW, providing FP advice to the Detachment Commander. At this time he was awarded a third AOC 2 Group Commendation.
In 2013 he took the reigns as Sqn WO of 15 Sqn RAF Regt in between HERRICK 17 and 20 deployments. He remained as Sqn WO throughout their HERRICK 20 tour and stayed at Camp Bastion until the last day, and the UK’s subsequent withdrawal from Helmand Province. On substantive promotion to Warrant Officer, he completed a short appointment in 22 (Trg) Group transforming the RAF’s approach to formal training. He then took up the position of IFPT WO overseeing RAF Phase 1 Force Protection Training.
Appointment to the prominent role of RAF Regt Corps Warrant Officer followed in 2017. In this role, he is responsible to the RAF FP Force Cdr for monitoring, reporting on and, where appropriate, enforcing the standards, welfare, ethos and discipline of the RAF Regt element of the RAF FP Force.
Griffin is married to Donna and lives in Hertfordshire with his two daughters Lily and Daisy. He has been a RAFALO for the past 16 years and supports local RAF veterans as a RAFA befriender and dementia friend’s champion. He is Chairman of RAF Regt Rugby League. In his spare time he restores 1970s Japanese motorcycles, makes Sloe Gin, enjoys reading military history, circuit training and walking the family dog Oscar.