I think that there’s more chance of me having a night out drinking, dancing and engaging in carnal activities with Queen Victoria.
Bit late to the party here.
I know there’s a lot of prior service here, but this “CFAV” rack is quite impressive.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu9lvDAM65u/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
1 Like
Surely that absolutely needs overlapping lol
2 Likes
Not sure what the convention is with minatures. I’ve seen after 12 an overlap. But depends on the individual I guess.
Yeh I think it’s basically when it starts to look silly (so shouldn’t go past the shoulder seam, probably don’t want it reaching too far past the edge of your lapel).
1 Like
When you get mistaken for a resurrected Brezhnev then it’s time.
1 Like
Another impressive CFAV rack. Who needs ribbon for your CFM when you can just use the clasps? (Photo from Kent Trafalgar Parade)
(Edit for a bit more privacy)
9 Likes
Anyone able to do the maths? Not sure when clasps changed from 8 years to 6, but that must be 50 years plus?
Have a gentleman of my acquaintance who’s been a WO (ATC) and now (RAFAC) since the early 70s. It’s more of a bracelet than a ribbon now
1 Like
He’s done 48 years. If its constant including from his 18th birthday, that would put the chap at 66ish. I’m halfway there with just 3 bars 
Is there a limit to the number of clasps on a CFM? I’m told the VRSM is limited to four but, as you deal directly with the medal mounter as a private transaction (then claim it back via JPA if you have six or more) then I’d instruct them to mount additional clasps anyway, or take my business elsewhere.
I think that’s false info you’ve been given.
If it’s a question of fitting them on, you simply use more ribbon.
Limiting to 4 ribbons is only 30 years…
I say “only” in the sense one could do more, so they’re not capping the clasps worn below the max.
36 years
12 for the medal and 6 per ribbon.
Apologies for the confusion. I was talking the VRSM. (10+5 for each of the 4 clasps proposed above).
Edit: although re-reading that I feel I may be misunderstanding something!
Only…
What can I say, I guess I always imagined I’d die at my desk. Probably from an explosion of the heart after yet another brew. Not for everyone.
indeed but i know given the ever shifting state retirement age I have at least 30 years of paid employment ahead of me and I already have a CFM and bar…thus it isn’t unrealistic to achieve “only 30” years as a CFAV although how many choose to have such an unbroken stint and remain in uniform for that period…
as I have said before on this topic it will be a good few years before we see such numbers coming through as those who have been wearing a blue suit that long are likely to be ex-regular and although have a cumulative long period only a portion of that will be eligible for CFM
As a CFAV 30 years only makes you 48, medal and 3 clasps.
Sounds like getting a 4th clasp would be really expensive to mount…
All medal ribbons having to be extended.