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: training.2386@aircadets.org!

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