I’m with “themajor” on this. APO is a bit like a probation period so would hold off purchasing anything until she is absolutely certain (and the organisation accepts her).
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It’s their money. Their rank substantively is Pilot Officer. Anyone who complains needs to reassess their priorities.
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It is their money, but there is no rush to get No5s and anybody who thinks that there is also needs to reassess their priorities!
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Here we go, found a reasonable pic. I know these aren’t APOs and obviously these are 1s rather than 5s, but the size and placement of the white tab on the lapel is identical:
Except we aren’t Officer Cadets.
What would an Acting Sgt wear…
If your going to do it be a Pilot Officer, otherwise you’d need a white band too…
I’m aware.
My point in my original post was in relation to what happens at Cranwell, given that that was asked. Their 5s are ranked up appropriately (so, in the case of the situation for the OP, as a pilot officer), and also have these white tabs on the lapels. It would be a ‘fix’ for the situation mentioned and would/could prevent even the most anal uniform pedant from hyperventilating.
The same would be a neat solution for Acting Sgts, too, if someone wished to be particularly fastidious.
I’d rather just go to the pub in my jeans
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Unfortunately the photos provided are not of Cranwell cadets, but of UAS Officer Cadets (note the airman cap badges and UAS identification badge on the upper arm).
If you could find a picture of a Commissioned UAS Acting Pilot Officer in Number 1s or 5s that may be a better match.
The idea of wearing a civvie ball gown was suggested and may well be the route that she has to go down if the answer can’t be conclusively answered (she has emailed our WWO and Wing OC)
I think civvy ball gown is personally the way forward.
But i am not one for official functions, i limit myself to one a year. A night spent in a dinner jacket is not my idea of a social evening.
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Yes, I know. And I commented as much.
The size and placement of the tabs is identical on 5s.
I wore interim mess dress with white tabs on the lapel (with RAFAC pins through the tabs) and pilot officer braid on the sleeve (ala No1s at IOT). CAC and CACWO were both there and neither said anything was wrong with it, I would certainly have expected the latter to comment.
Here you go.
However, the bigger point here is that I doubt many would really care. It’s not a parade, it’s a social occasion, just held in a slightly more formal manner.
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Had this in our wing recently after a SNCO got stroppy about it and tried to berate the officer in front of everyone.
The official reply from the wingco who had contacted HQAC personally was simple.
Wear it with Plt Off braiding.
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I suppose my question would be: has this person been gazetted as a Pilot Officer and holder of a commission? If they have, there’s the answer.
If not, civilian style attire would be the better bet.
Gazetting doesn’t take place until successful completion of 12 months (probationary period) scroll is the same time and no longer completion of OIC as it was previously
I once saw some pictures of female officer cadets in No.5, they had their white collar tabs on their sleeves above the rank braid.
Graduating Fg Off (Male) and Plt Off (Female) at RAFC in No5 SD Mess Dress. Note position of white tabs on sleeve for the female officer.
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Go back to the old blue tube and rank on a broach.
Note: The civilian dress equivalent to No 5 is dinner jacket or COCKTAIL dress.
Ball gown is equivalent to white tie and tails, which is No 5a. The version with white waistcoat and tie, and the stiff fronted wing collar shirt.
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