UNIFORM CARE & APPEARANCE!
1.! Introduction!
2.! This briefing note aims to provide you with useful information regarding what items of uniform you can expect the Squadron to provide, what items you need to provide and how to present yourself appropriately wearing it.!
3.! For further help and information on uniform and its care, or if you have any questions about the rules for your appearance, speak to your flight NCO in the first instance.
4. Issued Uniform. The items listed below will be loaned to you and a record kept on your individual loan card. The Squadron will not permit the return of loaned items in a dirty or unserviceable condition, with the exception of fair wear and tear.!
5.! Items will be exchanged on a one-for-one basis where necessary, except boots.!
6.! You will first be issued your PCS (Personal Clothing System) uniform, comprising:!
a.! High leg combat boots (black or brown, not desert)!
b.! Green/Tan belt!
c.! PCS lightweight jacket!
d.! PCS trousers!
e.! PCS smock!
f.! Beret & badge!
g.! Squadron t-shirt (this is yours to keep - it is not loaned)!
7.! You will also need to provide:!
a.! Black socks!
b.! Trouser twists (optional but recommended)!
8.! After approximately one month and on completion of a successful inspection of your PCS uniform you will be issued your blue uniform, comprising:!
a.! Parade shoes!
b.! Light blue shirt!
2386/2014/KITCARE
10 March 2014
OC C FltIC Supply
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c.! Black tie!
d.! Dark blue shirt!
e.! Dark blue jumper!
f.! Trousers/skirt!
g.! Belt (males only)!
h.! Brassard!
i.! Identification badges!
9.! You will also need to provide:!
a.! Barely black tights 15 denier (females)!
b.! Black socks (males)!
10.! Uniform Care. It is important to care for the uniform correctly and to wear it in the manner described below. The uniform is the Queen’s uniform and very similar to the uniform of the Royal Air Force, therefore you are representing the Royal Air Force, the Air Training Corps and 2386 Squadron when you wear it. !
11.! You should take pride in your appearance and display high standards; they will be expected of you. A tidy body is a sign of a tidy mind.!
12.! PCS uniform points:!
a.! Boots are to be clean and polished black or brown as appropriate.!
b.! Lightweight jacket correctly ironed with collar pressed open and straight across. Pockets are to be pressed flat. Material is to be clean and free of extraneous creases and loose threads. The lightweight jacket is worn tucked in with sleeves rolled down unless ordered otherwise.!
c.! Trousers are to be pressed flat. Material is to be clean and free of extraneous creases and free of loose threads. Trousers are to be correctly bloused over the top of the boots.!
d.! Smock is to be clean and free from loose threads and creases, with pockets pressed flat. The smock is to be worn hanging naturally downward and not bloused at the bottom. The draw cords in the middle are to be adjusted as required.!
e.! Blanking plates are always to be worn on the lightweight jacket and smock with the badges positioned as shown in Annex A.!
f.! Belt is to be clean with buckle positioned centrally with the clear end worn on the left hand side.!
g.! Beret is to be level around the head with the black band 25mm above the eyebrows, the badge over the left eye and loose material pulled down over the right ear.
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13.! Blue uniform points:!
a.! Shoes highly polished (bulled) to a mirror shine all over in black with Kiwi black polish.!
b.! Light blue shirt correctly ironed with sharp creases down the centre of each sleeve and pockets pressed flat. Material is to be clean and free of extraneous creases and loose threads. The light blue shirt is only worn with the tie.!
c.! Tie is to be flat with no creases and correctly tied in a full windsor knot. The tie is only worn with the light blue shirt.!
d.! Dark blue shirt correctly ironed with collar pressed open, creases down the centre of each sleeve and pockets pressed flat. Material is to be clean and free of extraneous creases and loose threads. When ordered to wear the sleeves rolled up they are to be rolled above the elbow with rolls the width of the cuff.!
e.! Jumper correctly ironed with shoulder patches, epaulettes, elbow pads and pen pocket pressed flat. Material is to be clean with no loose threads.!
f.! Trousers correctly ironed with creases pressed centrally down each trouser leg. Material is to be clean and free of extraneous creases and free of loose threads. The bottom of the trouser should rest on the second lace of the shoes, with one break.!
g.! Skirts are to be mid-knee in length and correctly pressed.!
h.! Belt is to be clean with the buckle polished with Brasso to a high shine with the clear end worn on the left hand side.!
i.! Brassard is worn on the right arm and is to be clean and free from creases. The badges are to be positioned as shown in Annex B.!
14.! Appearance. The instructions below are to be adhered to at all times, without exception.!
a.! Hair (males). The hair of the head is to be well cut and trimmed and clear of the collar and ear. Sideburns are to be short and well trimmed and are not to extend below a line running through the mid point of the ear. Extreme styles of haircuts and colouring are not permitted. If the hair is dyed or highlighted, the colour chosen is to be natural and in a uniform shade appropriate to the individual.!
b.! Hair (females). !Female personnel are to arrange their hair in a manner that permits the beret to be worn correctly; hair is not to show under the front of the beret and the style is to be kept neat and no longer than the bottom edge of the collar at the back of the Service jacket. Extreme styles of haircuts and colouring are not permitted, if the hair is dyed or highlighted, the colour chosen is to be natural and in a uniform shade appropriate to the individual. Narrow fabric covered hair bands (scrunches) may be worn with working dress, but must be inconspicuous and either of a similar colour to the hair or black. Fabric hair bands are not to be worn on parade. Combs, when worn, must be plain and of a similar colour to the wearer’s hair.!
c.! Shaving. All male personnel are to be clean-shaven when in uniform. Beards may only be permitted on religious grounds or when specially authorised by OC Squadron on medical grounds under the provisions of AP 1269. The beard is to be a full one and, with the exception of Sikhs & Muslims it is to be kept short and neatly trimmed.!
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d.! Nail Varnish & Cosmetics. When in uniform female personnel are forbidden to use nail varnish and cosmetics of a conspicuous nature.!
e.! Jewellery & trinkets (males). In the case of male personnel, the wearing of watch- chains and trinkets in such a manner as to be seen is not permitted when wearing uniform. The wearing of a wedding ring and/or one other plain signet or precious metal ring is permitted. A watch of inconspicuous style may also be worn. Thumb rings and tie pins are not permitted. Earrings are not to be worn.!
f.! Jewellery & trinkets (females). The prohibition above is equally applied to female personnel who are similarly forbidden to wear jewellery when in uniform. They may, however wear a wedding and/or engagement ring plus one other plain metal ring. Thumb rings are not permitted. A watch of inconspicuous style may also be worn. Additionally, if ears are pierced, one small, unobtrusive plain yellow gold spherical stud earring may be worn in each ear lobe at all times except when on parade.!
g.! Body Piercing. Where any part of the body, other than the ear lobe for women, has been pierced for any ring, stud or sleeper, no such items are to be worn. Similarly, when not in uniform but representing the Squadron the wearing of body piercing jewellery, trinkets or rings etc is not permitted. This ruling includes tongue studs.!
h.! Charity wristbands. Only wristbands from Help For Heroes, RAFA or RAFBF may be worn when in uniform. Only one may be worn at a time.!
15.! Summary!
16.! Your effort and attention to detail in preparing your kit and how you present and comport yourself all have a profound impact on the impression the Squadron makes to the public. Never forget that you are representing yourself, the Squadron and the Royal Air Force.!
17.! Remember, the Squadron NCOs are here to help you with any questions or problems you have and will give you guidance on all of the points contained in this document.!
!R Lesslie FS (ATC)Email: [email protected]!
Annex:!
A.! PCS Badging B.! Brassard Layout
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! ANNEX A TO 2386/2014/KITCARE!DATED 10 MARCH 2014!!
Ver
sion
1.0
3 12
4
LEFT
PAT
CH
RIG
HT
PATC
H
UN
ION
JAC
K O
NLY
IFAL
REA
DY
STIT
CH
ED O
ND
agge
r rep
lace
s fo
rmat
ion
badg
e
SATT
JUN
IOR
LEA
DER
SVR
T O
FFIC
ERW
O/S
NC
O (A
TC)
AC
O C
AD
ETS
Mar
oon
colo
ur o
n rig
ht
TRF
mov
es d
own
if Pa
ra w
ings
wor
n
The
rect
angu
lar p
atch
sits
at a
n ob
lique
ang
le to
ver
tical
and
all
badg
es a
re to
be
sew
n to
follo
w a
line
from
cor
ner t
o co
rner
of e
ach
patc
h. E
ach
patc
h is
to c
arry
no
mor
e th
an 2
bad
ges.
No
othe
r bad
ges
are
wor
ni.e
. Wea
pons
inst
ruct
or, R
AF
Reg
t Cro
ss R
ifles
etc
.
! ANNEX B TO 2386/2014/KITCARE!DATED 10 MARCH 2014!!
Ver
sion
1.0
3 12
1
B
adge
Pos
ition
s on
the
Bra
ssar
d A
ir Tr
aini
ng C
orps
ALL
BR
ASS
AR
DS
TO B
E W
OR
N O
UTS
IDE
THE
TUR
NU
P O
N S
HIR
TS W
HEN
RO
LLED
AB
OVE
ELB
OW
N
EVER
TO
BE
WO
RN
WIT
H C
S 95
/MTP
Iden
tific
atio
n B
adge
– is
to b
e w
orn
cent
rally
6m
m fr
om th
e to
p ed
ge o
f the
bra
ssar
d.
The
Air
Trai
ning
Cor
ps B
adge
is to
be
wor
n in
a
cent
ral p
ositi
on im
med
iate
ly b
elow
and
to
uchi
ng th
e Id
entif
icat
ion
badg
e.
Cla
ssifi
catio
n B
adge
s –
Firs
t Cla
ss-L
eadi
ng-
Seni
or C
adet
-Mas
ter A
ir C
adet
are
to b
e w
orn
in a
cen
tral
pos
ition
imm
edia
tely
bel
ow a
nd
touc
hing
the
Dis
tingu
ishi
ng b
adge
. Onl
y on
e C
lass
ifica
tion
Bad
ge is
to b
e w
orn
and
is to
be
for t
he h
ighe
st c
lass
ifica
tion
for w
hich
the
cade
t is
qual
ified
.
Lead
ersh
ip C
ours
e ba
dge
– is
to b
e w
orn
in a
ce
ntra
l pos
ition
imm
edia
tely
bel
ow a
nd
touc
hing
the
Cla
ssifi
catio
n ba
dge.
Nijm
egen
Bad
ge –
is to
be
wor
n on
the
left
hand
sid
e of
the
bras
sard
with
the
base
of t
he b
adge
9 c
m fr
om th
e bo
ttom
edg
e, a
nd 6
mm
from
the
left
hand
edg
e of
the
bras
sard
.
Com
mun
icat
ion
Bad
ge –
is to
be
wor
n w
ith th
e ba
se o
f the
bad
ge 9
cm
from
the
botto
m e
dge
and
the
top
right
han
d co
rner
6 m
m fr
om th
e rig
ht h
and
edge
of
the
bras
sard
.
Mus
icia
ns B
adge
s - a
re to
be
wor
n on
the
cent
re li
ne o
f the
bra
ssar
d w
ith th
e ce
ntre
of t
he b
adge
6 c
m
from
the
botto
m e
dge
of th
e br
assa
rd.
Firs
t Aid
Bad
ge –
is to
be
wor
n on
the
botto
m ri
ght h
and
side
and
6 m
m fr
om
the
botto
m e
dge
of th
e br
assa
rd, w
ith
the
cent
re o
f the
bad
ge 6
cm
from
the
cent
re li
ne o
f the
bra
ssar
d. O
nly
the
high
est a
war
d is
to w
orn
and
only
for
the
dura
tion
that
the
cade
t is
qual
ified
.
Mar
ksm
an B
adge
s –
are
to b
e w
orn
on
the
botto
m le
ft ha
nd s
ide
of th
e br
assa
rd
6 m
m fr
om th
e bo
ttom
edg
e an
d w
ith th
e ce
ntre
of t
he b
adge
6 c
m fr
om th
e ce
ntre
lin
e of
the
bras
sard
. The
Cad
et 5
0 an
d 10
0 ba
dge
are
to b
e w
orn
in th
e sa
me
posi
tion
but w
ith th
e ye
ars
flash
es
equa
lly p
lace
d 6m
m fr
om th
e bo
ttom
an
d m
ain
badg
e im
med
iate
ly a
bove
and
to
uchi
ng w
ith th
e ed
ge o
f the
bad
ge
6mm
from
the
left
hand
cur
ved
edge
of
the
bras
sard
. Onl
y on
e M
arks
man
bad
ge
the
high
est l
evel
is to
be
wor
n.
Cen
tral
pos
ition