As a recently promoted WO (ATC) I am curious into what more established WO’s wear on their bonse whilst in NO 2 working dress.
I am aware that AP1358C states that; WO / SNCO (ATC). Are to wear a beret; airmen’s No 1 SD hat and forage cap are optional for WO / SNCO (ATC). However, these have to be purchased from non-service sources and must be of a current service pattern but not QCS style.
As I am not a fan of wearing NO1 SD hats, I think I shall continue to wear a beret, but am interested in what others wear.
I am soon to become a Adult Sergeant and will be wearing SD Cap on Squadron and Beret elsewhere. As SNCOs/WOs can wear SD Caps as an optional, my OC and WO have the view that for uniformity (ie because the CO also will be wearing a SD Cap), all uniform staff will wear it.
Doesn’t bother me either way but never wore SD cap routinely in the RAF as it wasn’t regulation nor did it look good. However, I respect my chain of command.
I do hate it when Sqns make up local orders to enforce the wearing of an optional item…Especially when it’s for the sake of ‘uniformity’.
The old “if it’s not all the same it’s not ‘uniform’…” brigade do my head in!
[quote=“PurfleetShiba” post=4721]I am soon to become a Adult Sergeant and will be wearing SD Cap on Squadron and Beret elsewhere. As SNCOs/WOs can wear SD Caps as an optional, my OC and WO have the view that for uniformity (ie because the CO also will be wearing a SD Cap), all uniform staff will wear it.
Doesn’t bother me either way but never wore SD cap routinely in the RAF as it wasn’t regulation nor did it look good. However, I respect my chain of command.[/quote]
Ok that really is daft so are they going to buy said hat for any SNCO that dont have one??
[quote=“PurfleetShiba” post=4721]
However, I respect my chain of command.[/quote]
remember to respect your own views, opinions and preference.
personally i dislike my SD hat for anything but formal use for the simple reason it gets in the way every other time.
in classrooms, teaching/instructing or simply talking to the cadets it is an unnecessary weight and nuisance to deal with. when i am not wearing it i am conscience of where it is going, and how to avoid sticky grubby cadet fingers" gettting on it/being sat on/otherwise damaged.
Beret at all times for me other than in no1. Might wear it for an event that requires shirt and tie, but not no1s.
The easy answer to this insistence on wearing optionals is the same I replied to my WWO when he said he expected all NCO(ATC) to wear current no1 on Wing Parades…
