Its because the AP in the hornet if the stick is bumped will disengage. This way if your hotas is a little older and doesn't hold a perfect zero AP won't turn off.
During my time in 146 (98-02) and 154 (05-07) during workups on our nights for alert 7 we had electrical power on the jet with a sens cable and pilot in the seat so when the inevitable alert came all he had to do was start engines and go.
He's is not talking about the ram next to the nose gear drag brace he is talking about the beer can that pops out just above door 10R and in front of 13R. Which does have to be pushed back in by the plane captain or final checker.