So I’ll be going in a public place today and taking my uniform with me so I can change before cadets. Is it suitable to walk from this public place in my uniform to cadets (about a 30 minute walk)?
The preference would be to change in to your uniform at Cadets.
If that’s not posisble then covering your top half with a civvie jacket or similar is advised so as not to draw attention.
2 Likes
I no longer commute to work in uniform. I take mine and my families security very seriously. I live on an army estate so it is not something to easily hide.
But with a beard and shaggy hair that looks reminiscent of late 80s NI… I kinda get away with it.
My advice would be change at cadets.
It’s you’re own call however. It’s something to consider where you live and local attitudes. I would say as a minimum a civilian jacket over the top.
7 Likes
I’d say it depends on your area. In my area there is absolutely no problem walking to cadets in uniform. In some other areas I wouldn’t do it without a stab vest.
8 Likes
Sad really isn’t it. One of the very few things they Yanks have right is their attitude to uniform service.
3 Likes
That and the low threat from domestic terrorism for the last 50 years…
1 Like
Likely linked?
I kinda like the anonymity.
I very rarely take advantage of military discounts anyway (didn’t really feel I deserved it after not deploying, still feel that way after some pretty spicy deployments thks year).
People are generally just ambivalent I think. Which I personally don’t mind. When you really look at the end goal of what the forces do, it’s not exactly a job to be celebrated. But that’s my personal opinion. I know others think differently, in both ways. Some violently so, which is why I would recommend not travelling in kit.
4 Likes
At the danger of going off topic - I am not sure I agree.
They hold their servicepeople up on a dangerous pedestal, bordering on idolism.
I am with @Horriblelittletechie on this one. I prefer to fly under the radar, and I prefer my Cadets do too.
7 Likes
The biggest risks are
-cadets being mistaken for regulars (hence brassards & embroidered epaulettes)
-local scroats picking on the uniform kid in the same way they would scouts or those in a different school uniform.
As such there is a bigger ‘risk’ with MTP/DPM/Camo as it highlights military & you get a mix between those who want to attack the military or get into a fight with “the army” to prove how hard they are to their mates (this is why you don’t drink in a pub in uniform - you may encounter a drunken nutter)
Blue there is less of a risk as people don’t seem to be aware of it as “the Air Force uniform” - I have been mistaken for a security guard, tour guide and once at a dinner, hotel Porter.
Blue has the lesser risk but anything that highlights you or makes you stand out is always going to heighten risks. General blanket advise is not to but on the ground everyone will do their own thing anyway so risk assess the individual circumstance (including routes) & do what’s safe.
There are some parts of the town that I would not go to without armed escort let alone a stab vest & that’s out of uniform!
3 Likes
Of all the units i’ve been on, only the one i attended at Uni was it necessary to cover up…but being a city centre unit perhaps not surprising verses the other rural/military town units I’ve been at!
As a public transport user, I’ve dithered on this.
As above, it’s largely a decision for you (and your parents).
Currently I largely travel in uniform (in part because of the lighter nights and slightly lower threat level), but if I feel at all vulnerable (for whatever reason) I go for covering up.
To give some policy answers:
AP1358C:
- Occasions on which the wearing of uniform is permitted (subject to OC Wg / Wg Ex O / Sqn Ldr CCF RAFAC HQ direction on advice and including security and threat assessments):
…
b. Travelling to and from residence to place of duty and visits to civilian amenities e.g. bank, garage, shopping, coffee shops. Uniform may be worn irrespective of the method of travel e.g. public or private transport or on foot.
Standard Security Advice Letter for new Cadets and Staff (Nov 21):
…
Whilst I must emphasise that there has been no direct threat to cadets reported, the main risk to cadets is being mistaken for Regular airmen [sic] or soldiers when travelling to and from cadet activity wearing uniform. It is this risk that, with your assistance, I would like to mitigate.If you are a parent or guardian of an under 18 years of age cadet the decision whether the cadet travels to and from cadet activity wearing uniform is ultimately yours. If you are a cadet over 18 years of age then the decision is your own. However, based on the latest security advice, HQ RAF Air Cadets recommends that all RAF air cadets cover up their uniform whilst travelling to and from cadet activity.
…
1 Like
At the end of the day there is no correct or incorrect answer to this.
Where i live there is little anti establishment violence. Is what your staff decide is prudent
this!
I often see CCF Cadets walking to School on my commute to work, and when i was WFH during lockdowns saw them walking home en masse in their MTP
When I used to catch the bus home from a parade night, certain bus drivers would let me on for free owing to the fact I was a Cadet. 
You shouldn’t be on licenced premesis in uniform anyways (at least as a cadet) even when not drinking. The exception being when approved through OC Wg / WEXO / Sqn Ldr CCF HQAC.
Read paras 0111-0113 of AP1358C for the general advice for when to or when not to wear uniform.
2 Likes
Yes that nice concept in principle but in a world where people are a lot more intelligent, more questioning & unwilling to blindly follow rules without explanation (which is a quite healthy mentality for a democratic society & a mindset that should be encouraged in cadets) there is now an obligation to give rationale with instructions.
There will be volunteers who correctly judge that as they won’t be drinking or behaving poorly the risk is mitigated. However that is not the risk HQ is trying to mitigate, rather the unpredictable behaviour of other people.
Whilst free will exists people will make their own decisions based on the information they are given. A rule that cannot be enforced is no rule at all. Volunteers can only be convinced never coerced, commanded or censured.
Words on a bit of paper are purely that. Rationale must be given, understanding will follow & then hopefully willing compliance.
3 Likes
Much like everyone else has said, it’s very situational and depends on local attitudes and behaviour. But it never hurts to chuck a coat or something over your uniform
2 Likes
Unless its 20+ ºC … then it gets quite uncomfortable!
When does uniform cease to be uniform, if you don’t have any epaulettes it’s a grey trousers and shirt? What if you stick a jumper over the top?
What if you stick a Squadron Jumper over the top? What if your in Civvies wearing branded clothing?
It’s all well and good having rules designed for people who live on or near an RAF Station, doesn’t mean they translate to the real world.
1 Like