[quote=“Racing Stick” ]Well 25 years in the Army and I have never even heard an urban myth regarding officers changing. That said, I have heard numerous other urban myths so I guess it’s not impossible. Being cavalry certainly wouldn’t surprise me.
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Yes, it is an urban myth, perhaps I should have used a different terminology. Having said that, a family member of mine was ‘advised’ by the PMC in the Mess at Bovington (cavalry; well RTR which is almost cavalry I suppose) that he and his colleagues ‘should dress differently to each other’ as they were all in CS95.
[quote]The different coloured jumpers and trousers are all to do with tradition. Something the RAF has very little of. I think it insulting to consider it a fetish, but you are quite correct there is a lot of different colours and types all of which are as you correctly put, part of the barrack dress uniform.
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No insult intended as ‘fetish’ can also mean fascination, craze, preoccupation and inclination, as well as it’s generally taken meaning. Therefore, to us crabs, the four definitions above are true.
You also know my background Racing Stick and whilst the RAF may not have the hundreds of years of tradition that the Corps and Regiments of the British Army have, we are still pretty proud of what those who served before us have achieved in a relatively short time.
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But also these are restricted to Officers and SNCO’s and are private purchase. So if it’s OK to privately purchase a side hat then surely it’s OK for an Officer and SNCO who have a pride in their Regiment to purchase their own jumpers accordingly.[/quote]
I agree. But I also know that quite a lot of ‘optional’ purchases for soldiers are not exactly optional; and that’s for the juniors as well as the officers and SNCOs. Regimental tee shirts, stable belts and other items. OK I absolutely agree that it looks great and is a fantastic team builder to have all your troops kitted the same for PT, and that the Regimental Fund may contribute something towards the cost for the juniors, but they still have to pay and they don’t get a choice. But I know they do it willingly because they have pride in their Regiment!
disingenuous! you’re are attempting to make a virtue of a neccessity - RAF Officers are only given one choice of uniform because they can’t be trusted to dress themselves appropriately: this is what comes of commissioning people who’ve never been to school, and who have names like ‘Kevin’, and ‘Darren’.
not so much a force, more a chavelanche…
Racing Stick, the fashion parade is real, and real pride is taken in it - the rule is that if two Officers (well, Officers from any decent Regiment…) find themselves matching, the junior of the two excuses himself to change. if you ever wondered why junior Officers like exercises so much, its so they can avoid getting changed three times before breakfast.
I want to get a Side Cap, especially as take quite a few of our Sqn photos for Facebook and the website. But I don’t want to pay £55 plus, or ridiculed for wearing something more convenient than the SD Hat I have been issued.
[quote=“FS Sarnie” post=18947]I want to get a Side Cap, especially as take quite a few of our Sqn photos for Facebook and the website. But I don’t want to pay £55 plus, or ridiculed for wearing something more convenient than the SD Hat I have been issued.
why would someone consider getting a hat merely because it is slightly easier to take photo’s in?
[size=6]take it off![/size]
if you think that generally it’s easier/more comfortable then absolutely, go for it - but i wouldn’t walk down to the stores, let alone pay £55 of my own ill-earned shekles to buy a hat that makes taking the odd photo easier than if i wore a beret, or SD cap, or bearskin, i’d just whip the offending headgear off!
£55 buys a saturday night hotel for you and the mrs - or someone elses’ mrs - far better investment.
Personaly I dont see the point in having one unless you are an Officer for the reasons stated above. Its just a waste of money when you already have a feret to put on your head and mine never gets in my way
Some questions for those who own one (and wear it):-
1- Given that it is generally worn tilted over to 1 side and not on top like an SD - do you get a smaller size to take this into account? If so how much?
2- Who is the best Vendor (Lowest Cost vs Best Quality) of these things (yes G&H do sell them but I don’t have that much blunt lying around) - the version I saw in Snaiths at Cranwell seemed ‘taller’ than others (I’ve seen being worn) and thus I didn’t like it. This may sound daft, but are they of a regulation size? I’ve read of Station Tailors ‘knocking them up’, so thought that there may be some differences which explain the ‘apparent’ difference I have.
[quote=“noah claypole” post=19158]Some questions for those who own one (and wear it):-
1- Given that it is generally worn tilted over to 1 side and not on top like an SD - do you get a smaller size to take this into account? If so how much?
2- Who is the best Vendor (Lowest Cost vs Best Quality) of these things (yes G&H do sell them but I don’t have that much blunt lying around) - the version I saw in Snaiths at Cranwell seemed ‘taller’ than others (I’ve seen being worn) and thus I didn’t like it. This may sound daft, but are they of a regulation size? I’ve read of Station Tailors ‘knocking them up’, so thought that there may be some differences which explain the ‘apparent’ difference I have.[/quote]
You get the same size as will fit your SD Cap, the ratios are worked out in that way. So mine is a 59 like my SD Cap and Beret.
Mine came from Brize and I love it. I think Brize may be selling someone else’s but don’t know if they are Snaith’s or some other company. I can also PM you the details of the Tailoress at St Mawgan who make them from scratch, hers are also excellent and she will make them with embroidered names in the headband and whatever lining you chose. I bought one for my sister which had a pretty pink lining. (Which the ingrate has never worn. :mad: ) I’ve seen some with MTP/DPM linings and one with a fabric map lining.
Only downside to hers is that she uses the no1 Jacket upper pocket buttons on the front, which are too big. They should have special side cap buttons, but those can be found on ebay, mine are brass.
[quote=“Baldrick” post=19162][quote=“noah claypole” post=19158]Some questions for those who own one (and wear it):-
1- Given that it is generally worn tilted over to 1 side and not on top like an SD - do you get a smaller size to take this into account? If so how much?
2- Who is the best Vendor (Lowest Cost vs Best Quality) of these things (yes G&H do sell them but I don’t have that much blunt lying around) - the version I saw in Snaiths at Cranwell seemed ‘taller’ than others (I’ve seen being worn) and thus I didn’t like it. This may sound daft, but are they of a regulation size? I’ve read of Station Tailors ‘knocking them up’, so thought that there may be some differences which explain the ‘apparent’ difference I have.[/quote]
You get the same size as will fit your SD Cap, the ratios are worked out in that way. So mine is a 59 like my SD Cap and Beret.
Mine came from Brize and I love it. I think Brize may be selling someone else’s but don’t know if they are Snaith’s or some other company. I can also PM you the details of the Tailoress at St Mawgan who make them from scratch, hers are also excellent and she will make them with embroidered names in the headband and whatever lining you chose. I bought one for my sister which had a pretty pink lining. (Which the ingrate has never worn. :mad: ) I’ve seen some with MTP/DPM linings and one with a fabric map lining.
Only downside to hers is that she uses the no1 Jacket upper pocket buttons on the front, which are too big. They should have special side cap buttons, but those can be found on ebay, mine are brass.
Hope that helps.[/quote]
Thanks for the info - much appreciated.
If you could please PM me the Tailor’s details from St Mawgan, that would be a great help.
Forgive me for dredging up such an ancient post; but has anyone got a reference to how the side cap should be worn; In the latest dress regs on sharepoint I only see pictures of berets and caps…
Am about to disgust half the fourmites by purchasing my first side cap and want to wear it as jauntily as possible!
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