Uniform Initial Issue - What do I get

I do think that with the Working Blue short vanishing from RAF regular day to day wear something will eventually have to happen due to lack of stock.

I see there being 4 main options left open to them:

  1. Issue Cadets a Second Light Blue Shirt and allow it to be worn without a tie and sleeves rolled up. (As regularly is done by Cadets on Camp to Gib)

  2. Issue Cadets both short and long sleeved light blue shirts.

  3. Move to Greens for all Uniform.

  4. Issue Greens and Light Blues with Green for working dress and Light Blue for Parades.

I can’t see them going with 3 what with us being their beloved light blue footprint. I think 4 would be seen as too expensive. That leaves us with 1 & 2, either of which would work, yes rolled up sleeves don’t look fantastic, but it’s a working uniform so who really cares and brassards on short sleeves shirts look more gash.

Only 7 months!? I’m now up to 11…

I was pleasantly surprised when mine only took about two weeks

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  1. would be nice
  2. would be logical

The reality might end up as something like No2 but with a Sqn polo.

It would be interesting to know the difference in cost between a set of greens - trousers shirt jacket smock and lightweight MVP - and the current issue.

Option 3 would save Cadets cash as they would only need boots not shoes.

I found it odd when I got issued boots, but no MTP. Yet I had to wait half an hour whilst he dug out a small ATC beret badge lapel pin :joy:

You got the boots? I was refused them even though they are on the demand form

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Could have swiped some PCS while they had their back turned…

Issue does seem incredibly hit and miss.

I got Oxfords, my boss was refused.
I was refused brown gloves, my boss got his (I still have my original pair from way back when, so don’t mind).

I got everything that was on the form. From boots to gloves, DMS & Oxfords, GPJ…even the little pin badge.

3 months after OIC and I’m collecting my No1s next week. Although, I’ve heard many say theirs didn’t fit even though it is tailored.

My peak is too big. I am a 58cm in beret and that is my measured size…but my peak is too big. That was another complaint by many.

I had this issue.

Phoned them up and did a swap :+1:

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I think it is luck of the draw. I still have a few things outstanding and commissioned early last year!

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When it came to my initial knitting BZN refused to see me due supply issues. So I never had it just had to beg, borrow and steal

It’s now been 10 years

I’m going to have fun getting to my parent station since I don’t have a car . . . Not so easy to just “pop down” then.

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Arrange for someone to pick up cadet uniform at same time and get a lift?

I’m lucky that my parent station is less than an hour away.

Even then they always have a gripe about some of our wing sqns not coming to collect uniform. :joy:

I think sometimes they forget we’re volunteers and do this for free. On my OIC, the regulars we spoke to in the mess were astounded at what we do for free.

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Did you get a chance to try things out for size, or is it simply hand over the slip and get a bag full of kit?

Can they get distributed to WHQ then sent in from their via wing courses etc

Our wexo collects and then available from WHQ

@anon9987823 Yes, you can try bits on.

@themajor @AlexCorbin We collect our uniform orders during flying at AEF.

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That is pretty common. I have absolutely no idea what Turner Virr are playing at…
Good for me - I get lots of tailoring work making them fit; but bad for the volunteers* and for the RAF who will be paying quite a bit for these “made to measure” uniforms…

*Though since Officers get their No 1 provided for free whilst the rest of us have to beg/borrow/and buy in additional to perhaps having to pay to have them altered I don’t feel too bad for them :stuck_out_tongue: