Rank slides on eBay

[Moray]

I found some MRAF rank slides on ebay is there no rule against these being sold?

[AlexCorbin]

Nope.

[Moray]

Surely it’s disrespectful to the effort that it takes to reach these ranks.

[AlexCorbin]

Well companies create these things to make profit…such as cadet direct

Theres nothing we can do apart from not buy from them

[wdimagineer2b]

This is a military tailor selling military rank slides.
I’d say that it’s not disrespectful in any way.

[daws1159]

It’s the only way your going to get them rather than through supply!

[GrandMaster_Flush]

Disrespectful is wearing them.

Anybody can buy them.

[incubus]

I’m considering buying a set to keep as part of our first class trainign resources.

[wilf_san]

This is an act of parliament designed to regulate and restrict the wearing of Naval Military Uniforms

Military Uniforms cannot to be worn without Authority

It is illegal for any person not serving in Her Majesty’s Military Forces to wear without Her Majesty’s permission the uniform of any of those forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform.

Exceptions

• Any persons from wearing any uniform or dress in the course of a stage play performed in a place duly licensed or authorised for the public performance of stage plays.
• In the course of a music hall or circus performance.
• In the course of any bona fide military representation.

Penalties
Penalty for bringing contempt on uniform

If anyone not serving in Her Majesty’s Naval or Military Forces wears without Her Majesty’s permission the uniform of any of those forces, or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of any such uniform, in such a manner or under such circumstances as to be likely to bring contempt upon that uniform, or employs any other person so to wear that uniform or dress, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding F1 level 3 on the standard scale, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month.

Clearly the penalty imposed by a court would be much-more severe if the unauthorised wearer was deliberately-committing an act of dishonesty (eg to falsely-gain privilege or access), or, directly-masquerading in a style and title they were not entitled to possess, with intent to deceive.

Also: although a month in jail might not seem to be much of a deterrent, the addition of a criminal record to anyone’s CV would >never< be a good thing.

[angus]

While the above might be interesting, the vast number of civpop who wear bits of DPM/MTP, service greatcoats, the minging ginger bloke off time team who wears a green wooly-pully, and all the rest, compared to the number of prosecutions for said offences, means that it’s not actually an offence.

If you’re not going to get reported for it, and not going to get prosecuted for it, then it’s not against the law - and therefore no more of anyone’s business than what colour pants you choose to put on in the morning…

[daws1159]

I would say that the wording is such that the wearing of uniform is unlawful not items of uniform a very important distinction.

[A400m]

Precisely - because nobody thinks that the crusty fella with the smelly beard walking through town in his DPMs is a soldier… hopefully.

[Batfink]

@wilf_san

the addition of a criminal record to anyone’s CV would >never< be a good thing.

Depends on your line of work. Some see a criminal record as a badge of honour! And a custodial sentence brings about a far more effective learning environment than any college or formal education!

But to be put away for wearing a crusty set of Battle Dress? That’s not one you’d probably want to shout about in the canteen. Hardly crime of the Century.

And if that’s all CPS have against you, they would really be clutching at straws for it to be in the public interest!!!