Parade Dress

[techie_tubby]

I was watching the report on sky news from The National Memorial Arboretum and I noticed that all the RAF personnel where wearing blue fabric belts in on their number ones instead of the usual white webbing. It was all ranks, commissioned and NCO's. Was just wondering what it was and what occasions you would wear it.

 

[raflad67]

Saw the same and wondered about it too; I guess some DI will tell us soon.....coz I aint got a clue!

 

[MrMasher]

I take it you're both out of the mob and have been for a few years?

We've had fabric belts as part of our No 1s since early 2000's.

 

[mad_collie]

I take it you're both out of the mob and have been for a few years?

We've had fabric belts as part of our No 1s since early 2000's.

For ceremonials the fabric belt is removed & the white webbing is worn.

 

[mild mannered janitor]

I take it you're both out of the mob and have been for a few years?

We've had fabric belts as part of our No 1s since early 2000's.

not like these we haven't i think they mean the old style light blue belts as worn by drill instructors.
the one's that are worn over you're number one's.

 

[raflad67]

I take it you're both out of the mob and have been for a few years?

We've had fabric belts as part of our No 1s since early 2000's.

No still serving mate...since 1986......ha ha

The belts in question that they wore were light blue and I have never seen them before (not the belts we have issued).

Check Sky news for vid (dunno how to post link sorry)

 

[MrMasher]

Just seen it on the news, my mistake. I thought you meant the belt actually fitted on the no1s.
I haven't seen those light blue ones either.


By the way MC, thanks for the sucking egg lesson there!

 

[mad_collie]

No still serving mate...since 1986......ha ha

The belts in question that they wore were light blue and I have never seen them before (not the belts we have issued).

Check Sky news for vid (dunno how to post link sorry)

See what you mean:

Light blue belts

 

[True Blue Jack]

The belt looks very similar to the sash worn by drill instructors on parade, maybe that has something to do with it, but I must admit I have never seen it before, nor do I recall any mention of it in the drill manual.

 

[Climebear]

The regs are in AP1358 Chapter 2 detailing No1 Dress:

0209. Blue Sash. The following personnel are authorised to wear the blue sash on the occasions shown:

a. Officers employed as HM the Queen’s Gentlemen Ushers.

b. Officers when employed on AFB ushering duties.

c. WOs and SNCOs of the Queens Colour Squadron when on parade.

d. IOT and recruit training instructors at established recruit or trade training establishments. It is only to be worn whilst on parade.

e. WOs and SNCO escorts to Queens Colours, (does not apply to Sqn standards).​

Note the version AP on the internet does not contain the latest ALs; however, it gives you a hint of where to look.

 

[FOMz]

Maybe the RAF is so skint that they can't afford any white belts.............

Seriously though, I think its a ceremonial thing. I've seen them used before at a similar event.

 

[Spearmint]

I watched a similar report and wondered the same about the blue sashes. Oh well, everyday is a school day and all that, cheers Climebear.

 

[True Blue Jack]

I don't want to rain on Climebear's parade (da dum tssh!) but the sashes referred to in the extract from the AP are a nice little off the shoulder number rather than a belt substitute.

I'm still no wiser as to why they were worn that way for the dedication ceremony but I'm working on it.

 

[TrickyTree]

I don't want to rain on Climebear's parade (da dum tssh!) but the sashes referred to in the extract from the AP are a nice little off the shoulder number rather than a belt substitute.

I'm still no wiser as to why they were worn that way for the dedication ceremony but I'm working on it.

Neither am I and I find this quite confusing. I thought that SNCOs and WOs, on the rare occasions they did wear a sash, wore the shoulder sash. I've never ever seen the waist sash worn by non-commissioned personnel - I thought that was for officers only, to be worn by "Officers employed as HM the Queen’s Gentlemen Ushers" or "Officers when employed on AFB ushering duties".

There must be qualified DI lurking who can shed light on this.

 

[Climebear]

I don't want to rain on Climebear's parade (da dum tssh!) but the sashes referred to in the extract from the AP are a nice little off the shoulder number rather than a belt substitute.

I'm still no wiser as to why they were worn that way for the dedication ceremony but I'm working on it.

No rain at all - as I mentioned the AP version on the interweb thinking is several ALs out of date. I meant it as a steer for those with access to the intranet.

Mind you, it would appear that following dress regs would appear to be optional for many - heaven forbid us having 'uniform'. Even CAS's ADC appears to have made the same mistake that many 'grooms' do of wearing a ceremonial sword belt when he should be wearing the sword in its 'normal fitting' using a canvas belt worn under the No1 jacket (just like the other Service Chiefs' ADCs were). Perhaps it is because the ceremonial belt looks prettier than what the AP says. Of course there is always the senior officer favourite of wearing forage caps with CS95/DCC...