Uniforms

 
Drill and Parade
Adventure Training
 

Shaping and Shaving The Beret

To shape your beret start by filling a bowl with warm water. Submerge the beret until it is completely wet in the bowl of warm (not boiling!) water. Make sure you do not get the black leather band around the beret wet as this will cause it to shrink, also take the badge out of the beret before beggining. Afterwards remove the beret from the hot water and place it into a bowl of cold water. Following on from this remove the beret and put it back into clean warm water. Finally place the beret onto your head and keep it there until it is dry. This will take a while, you can speed up the process by using a hair dryer. While doing this keep shaping the beret with the badge 2 fingers width above your left eye and pull the excess to the right and back.This is how you will wear it every parade night.

To shave your beret go over it thourougly with a razor removing any surplus fluff and bobbly bits. It is best to do this when wet but you can also do it when dry.

 

 

 

Drill and Parade

It’s the little touches that make the difference between a good look and a great one, and no-one knows that better than the RAF Regiment Gunners of the Queens Colour Squadron (QCS). Famous for their unique continuity drill displays - which are performed without command - the QCS have thrilled audiences all over the world.

The QCS represents the highest standards of RAF ceremonial dress, where each man must be polished and pressed to the squadrons extremely high standards. Boots and shoes are buffed to a high shine, buckles and buttons are perfectly polished, even the peaks of their hats are shined until you can see your reflection staring back at you.

Of course, the standards aren’t that high for the cadets but if you want to know how to look the business on the parade ground there’s no better place to start. We roped in SAC Dave Brennan to give us the insider info on parade prep. Here are his top ten tips:

  1. Always have a good breakfast before a long parade. If you don’t keep your energy levels up there’s a good chance you’ll feel faint.
  2. Pay attention to the smallest details. Making sure your buttons are the right way up may seem like a small thing but it’s something your Commanding Officer will notice.
  3. Using a good quality furniture polish of on the peak of your hat will give it a parade worthy shine.
  4. Use plain shoe polish instead of parade gloss. It requires a bit more work but it will give your boots or shoes a deeper shine.
  5. Never leave your boots or shoes in direct sunlight, as it will degrade the shine. Store them in a cupboard or locker and keep them covered.
  6. Use clear floor polish instead of starch on your jumpers - as strange as it sounds it really works and lasts for a few weeks too.
  7. Running your boots or shoes under ice cold water and rubbing with cotton wool will remove any smears or oil left behind from polishing.
  8. Put your boots on before your shirt - this will prevent it from creasing.
  9. Taking pride in what we do is a central part of the QCS. Never ever cut corners and strive to be the best, even amongst your fellow cadets.
  10. Finally… Never leave kit preparation until the last minute. If you rush there’s more chance you’ll end up missing something or making a mistake.

 

Adventure Training

Disruptive Pattern Material, or, DPM uniform is made of tough stuff. Designed to get scuffed, wet and muddy it can withstand months of constant use and mistreatment. In addition, it makes for excellent camouflage - on a dark night, all you need to do to avoid being spotted is stand still.

DPM is also known as your 'Greens' or 'Cabbage kit'. Some squadrons may be able to provide you with DPM kit, but if not you should have no problem finding it at your local military surplus store or on-line. Air cadets magazine also features some DPM kit suppliers and your squadron should be able to suggest a local shop.

What kit should I take on a fieldcraft exercise?

  • DPM trousers
  • DPM Smock (Jacket)
  • A DPM shirt or dark coloured t-shirt, preferably green
  • Black hi-leg boots
  • A wooly hat and gloves
  • Camouflage cream

A beginner’s guide to ‘Cam’ cream.

Everyone has heard of camouflage or ‘cam’ cream. It comes in tubes or compacts that you rub onto your face, and as soon as you do, you become invisible! Well, not quite, but it’s a great addition to your kit when you’re trying to evade the ‘enemy’.

Cam cream should be applied with the objective to disrupt - that means using variation. Aim for a tiger stripe look and make sure your entire face is covered, including your forehead, neckline and behind the ears. Be careful when applying around your eyes as cam cream contains insect repellent which can sting.

There are some natural alternatives to cam cream like mud or wearing a balaclava, you’re advised not to use burnt corks though as there are some burn risks if not done properly.