I can confirm theyve had limited operation … I emailed about a new set a few weeks ago and the response was they’ve been issuing No1s from a stock but RAF have said for RAF graduation only. Very little bespoke made
I’m still waiting to be measured up having done MOD1-3 last year. I just hope that the decision isn’t made to just chin off No1s for officers while there will be relatively little resistance
Yes, it is completely unfair that SNCOs aren’t issued then.
I do think that if they were chinned off for everyone, within a few years there would be so many people without no1s that there would be no choice but to have parades where No2A is worn for everyone, meaning no No1s for anyone.
I can’t see this happening - could you imagine joint events such as CVQO staff awards… All other services turn up properly suited and booted and we turn up in a wooly pully. It’d be daft.
I could see it moving to a private purchase / wing hold stock that you can borrow for parades, events etc.
But can you imagine what a farce that would be with staff trying to draw out/return uniform to wing and wings holding suitable sizes etc. It would be worth the £400 for a set not to have to deal with the hassle!
Off topic warning - why make the big point of them being Privileged to wear the rank? Why is the royal coat of arms more of a privilege than bars or chevrons? Just because it’s new doesn’t make it special. They are WOs - they should have always worn them - I’d say they are ENTITLED to wear the rank since they hold the rank.