While working at an "Operational HQ", which was just another nondescript suburban office block we all had to wear CADPAT ( Canadian Disruptive Camouflage Pattern) that is the pixelated many pocketed uniform worn by the professional pedestrians Army when they were out camping fighting in the woods.
I am reminded of RAF West Drayton back in the 1980s. Totally urban situation and, during exercises, the Sanger’s being “camouflaged” with the standard green foliage nets etc.
Meanwhile we wandered down the road between the mess and the main site in DPMs getting strange looks from the passers-by
It was pointed out they stood out like sore thumbs and would have been better disguised as skips etc whilst we would be better wearing civvies - as did those working in MOD because of the IRA threat.
But rules were rules and that was what the manual said….
Which leads back to hats and rank tabs - which at Staxton Wold, as soon as we got to any alert state, we were told to remove, because snipers would automatically go for the officers….