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Updated Army Service Dress project

A group from 122 Light Aid Detachment RCEME taken in 1943 in England illustrating exactly that.View attachment 89290
My understanding is that troops the enlisted prior to '41 or '42 were issued the wedge, and the newer recruits the beret, which made the wedge the old school "worn corduroy collar", for those who are old enough to remember that jacket.
 
My understanding is that troops the enlisted prior to '41 or '42 were issued the wedge, and the newer recruits the beret, which made the wedge the old school "worn corduroy collar", for those who are old enough to remember that jacket.
The beret came and went and then came back.

When I enlisted, 1960, most of us had three caps (Black Watch and Queens own Rifles were different): a peaked forage cap (different pattern for the Guards) with (for most Corps) a coloured band (Signals was an exception - solid blue cap no band) and two peaked caps: one khaki wool, same colour and "look and feel' as the khaki battledress uniform and the other lighter 'Indian bush,' same lok and feel as the summer "bush" uniform.
 

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My understanding is that troops the enlisted prior to '41 or '42 were issued the wedge, and the newer recruits the beret, which made the wedge the old school "worn corduroy collar", for those who are old enough to remember that jacket.
Never underestimate the compulsion to show that you have “time in” compared to others.

The beret came and went and then came back.

When I enlisted, 1960, most of us had three caps (Black Watch and Queens own Rifles were different): a peaked forage cap (different pattern for the Guards) with (for most Corps) a coloured band (Signals was an exception - solid blue cap no band) and two peaked caps: one khaki wool, same colour and "look and feel' as the khaki battledress uniform and the other lighter 'Indian bush,' same lok and feel as the summer "bush" uniform.
Which makes the CA aversion to ball caps (or caps like that) all the more puzzling. There is actual precedent for it.
 
Never underestimate the compulsion to show that you have “time in” compared to others.


Which makes the CA aversion to ball caps (or caps like that) all the more puzzling. There is actual precedent for it.
I like the ball cap except for the plastic thingy at the back which I think might be easily damaged. If an issue ball cap doesn't have 'em, i.e. is more like the bush cap" worn by the VanDoo guy in the picture I posted then I'm 100% in favour.
 
I like the ball cap except for the plastic thingy at the back which I think might be easily damaged. If an issue ball cap doesn't have 'em, i.e. is more like the bush cap" worn by the VanDoo guy in the picture I posted then I'm 100% in favour.
The RCN and RCAF use Velcro, so there is little chance the fastener will be damaged before the hat needs replacing due to fading and wear.

In my time at sea, I don't recall a single person having a hat replace because the Velcro stopped working, but I saw a lot of hats replaced for fading and worn edges on the peak.
 
I like the ball cap except for the plastic thingy at the back which I think might be easily damaged. If an issue ball cap doesn't have 'em, i.e. is more like the bush cap" worn by the VanDoo guy in the picture I posted then I'm 100% in favour.

Had the summer bush cap - which was for wear with FSOD and/or the bush jacket but not the battledress - but we made it much more regimental than that worn by the Van Doo above with a hard plastic "bird cage" insert like this,

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It made for a more "squared-away" look like this,

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It was in vogue until the combat "robin Hood" hat came out.

Never underestimate the compulsion to show that you have “time in” compared to others.

Yes. Yes we do. :ROFLMAO:

🍻
 
In my time at sea, I don't recall a single person having a hat replace because the Velcro stopped working, but I saw a lot of hats replaced for fading and worn edges on the peak.
That’s “time in”, like the weird green tinge on the old NCD jacket :sneaky:

I like the ball cap except for the plastic thingy at the back which I think might be easily damaged. If an issue ball cap doesn't have 'em, i.e. is more like the bush cap" worn by the VanDoo guy in the picture I posted then I'm 100% in favour.

1732413455007.png
 
Never underestimate the compulsion to show that you have “time in” compared to others.
It's why I keep wearing the old tunic with button cuffs and slip on, even after getting the new pattern.
 
For comfort alone I like the new pattern. I don’t feel like a sausage tied in the middle.
It was a weird choice... I get that I'm likely a bit more "Petty Officer" than some, but still... The shirt pulls-in in the least flattering way possible, for no actual benefit. The new NECU is a similar overall cut, but it lacks the weird elastic.
 
There has to be some sober second thought, or even first thought, otherwise the result could be . . .

View attachment 89242 View attachment 89244

In the first instance, a uniform that was so identified with its proponent (USAF Chief of Staff McPeak) that when it was unveiled to the press he was the one modeling it. It didn't survive past his tenure as Chief.

In the second instance, what can I say. When the USSF uniform was unveiled, the only one who looked comfortable was the Chief of Space Operations. But that feeling doesn't appear to have lasted at the ceremony when he handed over command.

View attachment 89246

So we now know there is a uniform that has larger sizing intervals than Canadian combat clothing… 👍🏼

You don't need a committee to decide where a ships team diver badge goes on to an Army or RCAF tunic. This is why you have command CPOs and CWOs.

Or…and hear me out here…that gets written into the CFP-201 and everybody just follows the regulation.

The RCN and RCAF use Velcro, so there is little chance the fastener will be damaged before the hat needs replacing due to fading and wear.

In my time at sea, I don't recall a single person having a hat replace because the Velcro stopped working, but I saw a lot of hats replaced for fading and worn edges on the peak.

I bet the CA goes full send and gets plastic sizing strap, tall foam-backed front and a mesh backing. 😉
 
I bet the CA goes full send and gets plastic sizing strap, tall foam-backed front and a mesh backing. 😉
Interestingly, the USAF also has that option.

Working with those folks frequently, I see the “standard” patrol cap (the same as the US Army) and a trucker hat style. Both have spaces for their rank in the front, and their name tape in the back.

Went well with the incredible pilling cozy cushioning of the blue shirt.
 
Before the faded greenies, the previous jacket would fade to purple.

God! Do I remember that. It was almost fluorescent purple, and Stores did not consider it cause for replacement, so if you were one of the unlucky ones to get it, you had it for a long time (unless you were going to your JLC/SLC ;)).
 
God! Do I remember that. It was almost fluorescent purple, and Stores did not consider it cause for replacement, so if you were one of the unlucky ones to get it, you had it for a long time (unless you were going to your JLC/SLC ;)).
It was a safety / visibility measure :sneaky:
 
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