I like my stable belt for aesthetic reasons.
As I have large belt loops it also performs the job of a belt.
Yeah, that died a death. Presumably it was deemed to be too expensive.
Ah, you see my no. 2 trousers have an UNAUTHORISED MODIFICATION(!) shock horror, namely large belt loops sewn on by the station tailor at a station which had better remain nameless.
I know, how dare I, etc.
Guilty as charged - as an instructor at DIOT, this was a āstandardā modification, also as worn by the RAF Regt SNCOs/DIs.
Same for the modification to the Oxford shoes - 2 extra layers of leather soles, with horse shoe heels & toe tips.
Technically the regulations list all of the layers of clothing - in practice though Iād stick with the unwritten rule of āwear whatever you like underneathā.
Clearly, whatever it is underneath wouldnāt be really visible anyway, but even if a bit was I wouldnāt much care on exercise or outdoors.
And we donāt want to see that!!!
I would be wearing both belts, For practicality the standard RAF issue belt will fit through the belt loops on the trousers and actually support the trousers to hold them in place whereas a stable belt alone can not do that as effectively. However personally if your trousers are secure only wearing the stable belt and you donāt have to adjust them all time, just wear the one that prevents them falling.
Does no one else just use the two straps on the side to keep their trousers up? If those are tight enough you donāt need the belt.
And another 27 posts about stable belts to add to the tens of thousands over the years.
Has anyone thought about an ACO stable belt crisis hotline, staffed 24/7 by trained volunteers. It could relieve so much angst?
To the OP, its not just you who has aspergers, its the wider ACO when it comes to a rather pretty but slightly useless belt!
*Note: I call the condition simply Aspergers. A syndrome would imply it is an illness or impairment. All the cadets and adults I have encountered with this condition have successfully overcome it and some even use it to their advantage.
The problem with stable belts has always been the only optional item people seem to think they have to have. When I was a cadet, mostly only those cadets whose parents were better off or cadets who had jobs, sought to buy them as they thought they had the money. I had a job but had far better things to spend my money on. I inherited one from a mate who left and immediately came to the conclusion that it was rubbish as a belt and more bother than it was worth as it didnāt sit in belt loops (unless you had as above or was in greens) and havenāt bothered since. If youāre a āracing snakeā they probably work better without loops, but having never been one of these it is only conjecture.
I know the rules and let whoever has them wear them, but for me when you see cadets in a squad it looks scrappy.
It really winds me up that a lot of staff let cadets wear them on parade.
I get a lot of flak in some quarters for still wearing the old style belt. I really donāt like the new belt, itās tacky, cheap looking and poorly made.
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What do you consider to be āon paradeā?
A formal ceremonial occasion, or the formed-up gatherings that happen at the start and end of a squadron evening?
Like armed forces day or remembrance parades.
On Squadron, Iām not that much of a stickler for uniformity.
Iāve seen cadets turn up at those parades with stable belts but Iām not sure whether that has been due to an assumption on their part or through misinformation by staff. Iām always clear if I am writing admin orders for parades to specify exactly what uniform is required.
Certainly for the last couple of AFD parades Iāve had to tell people to lose stable belts, though in the scale of things it is the question of what to do with unrequired (or perhaps missing) jerseys and jeltexes that is the biggest problem.
As i understand it āformalā parades a Stable belt is not permitted
[quote] ACP 1358C Ver 1.07
0140. Stable Belts / Female Money Belts / Drill Instructors White Belts (Optional Extras).
a. The only recognised stable belts permitted for wear with uniform are the RAF stable belts. All styles of belt are optional extras, available for all male and female personnel of the ACO and purchased at private expense. Additionally, females may continue to wear the approved āoptionalā blue woven money (purse) belt. Unless otherwise ordered, stable belts or female money belts may only be worn with No 2A, 2B, 2C. (7A and 7B SD overseas Sqns only). Additionally, stable belts may be worn with No 3 Dress.
Note: Any other type of authorised ACO ceremonial parades must only use the simple brass and sliders only through demand for official occasions [/quote]
On a Squadron night, weekend event sure crack on. but the one occasion where uniformity is most important (visually if nothing else) on formal parades only the issued belt is permitted
i am yet to get any flak but i much prefer the āoldā type belt and agree the buckle is not great qualityā¦
I told a DI on parade once that they shouldnāt be wearing them and he had never heard of the rule, and Officers should butt out of such questions.
Interesting, no mention of pure No.2 Dress. I hadnāt realised that. so you canāt wear one under a jumper. (Not that I ever understood why you would want to.)
Personally I think a stable belt looks better than the white belts when worn without sliders, as they commonly are round my way!
Iād expect that is an oversight: the wording was there when 2B was permitted with jersey and 2C still is. It is mentioned in several places that stable belts āare not to be worn outside the jerseyā.
Well, yeah, that would look really dumb.
I just donāt know why youād need to wear one under the jersey, whatās the point if it isnāt visible?
As we have discussed, they have no practical benefit as a belt unless you have dodgily modified belt loops.
So that when you take the jersey off you have the belt you like on already?
Conversely, if you are chilly and put the jersey on you could conceivably leave the belt on? Saves leaving it lying around somewhereā¦