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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.

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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.
 
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