Captain Styles' Swagger Stick

[Data Holmes]

Didn't the actor play a prick SWAT commander on Hillstreet Blues who carried around a riding crop in homage to general Patton? The actor was also in a computer commercial at the time which was referenced in the "good morning captain" line when the drive fails. Seems like it was just a "wink and nod" to his two big jobs at the time in real life.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Sikking also played his Hill Street Blues character (Lt. Howard Hunter) on another show - dare I remind you all of this - Cop Rock.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

^He was also Doogie Howser's dad!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Damn, I miss Cop Rock... I mean, a police drama AND a musical, how can you lose?

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Option 1: He was an arrogant jerk who fancied himself to be like Patton, so he had a swagger stick (perhaps if he was cooler it would have a hidden blade like Patton's did).

Option 2: In the tradition of giving each captain a unique beverage, he preferred hot chocolate, and that was his miniature marshmellon dispenser (unlike Spock's full size version below).

Option 3: That was the stick he used to mercilessly beat Doogie Howser with until he graduated from medical school at age 14, after which his father judged him to finally be worthy of an awkward guy hug (no full body to body contact and a two pat on the back maximum).

Option 4: That was his lightcycle control rod (wait, wrong 80s scifi movie).

Option 5: It's a portable version of the captain's log book for if you want to record a log while on the move (instead of in the captain's chair or your quarters).