Blues if not flying
Sorry Wizard.. it was me wearing the flying suit.
...seem to remember the Navy guys were already in civvies, ready for a night out.............
...seem to remember the Navy guys were already in civvies, ready for a night out.............
Last edited by Bertie Thruster; 4th Oct 2008 at 21:02.
From 'No Escape Zone' by Lt Cdr Nick Richardson.
'The dress code for anyone not used to life on the ocean in the service of Her Majesty must seem a little arcane, but if your not flying in the first wave, you don't get to wear your flying kit at breakfast, which is a pisser, because given half a chance, it's what we'd all pad around in most of the time.'
Physician, heal thy self.
'The dress code for anyone not used to life on the ocean in the service of Her Majesty must seem a little arcane, but if your not flying in the first wave, you don't get to wear your flying kit at breakfast, which is a pisser, because given half a chance, it's what we'd all pad around in most of the time.'
Physician, heal thy self.
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Red Arrows Flying Suit now obsolete
The Red Flying Suit is now obsolete as in order to raise the publics awareness of the RAF all members of the Red Arrows will change into No2 HD uniform before public appearances. The engineers coveralls have been re-branded to look more like a F1 racing team and a modern sports leisure clothing brand has been launched to coincide with this great idea 
Strong leadership is required to ensure this and other great ideas are successful
Strong leadership is required to ensure this and other great ideas are successful
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Just read IBN 27/08 - CHANGES TO THE WEARING OF UNIFORM
Sure I'd have been directed to it some time next week, but all the chatter here promoted me to take a look ... It takes a fairly hard line & promotes robust enforcement.. Looks like the SWOs will be busy !
No problem in general as long as adequate lockers, irons, showers and changing facilities are available, and a decent uniform grant to cover the additional costs of having sets on hand to change into, as plans for the day can and do change (None of which will prove to be true). However should we risk uniform getting in the way of a task or even delay a task and our efficiency by preparing and changing uniform. What happened to promoting our being in a state to be optimally agile & adaptable ?
Plan is to fly as crew most of the day = Growbag on the way to, at work, and on way home.
Plan is for Admin / meetings AM & flying PM = Blues AM & Growbag PM but how granular to we need to go ?
But here is the dilemma: a scenario I've got next week ...
Flying as a PAX on Herc : Would usually go for green, but the doc demands a 2* would need to auth ! Blues no good re H&S (Fire, Cold etc), Growbag I'd avoid as although allowed as its a flying related duty, not flying as duty aircrew..
P.
Sure I'd have been directed to it some time next week, but all the chatter here promoted me to take a look ... It takes a fairly hard line & promotes robust enforcement.. Looks like the SWOs will be busy !
No problem in general as long as adequate lockers, irons, showers and changing facilities are available, and a decent uniform grant to cover the additional costs of having sets on hand to change into, as plans for the day can and do change (None of which will prove to be true). However should we risk uniform getting in the way of a task or even delay a task and our efficiency by preparing and changing uniform. What happened to promoting our being in a state to be optimally agile & adaptable ?
Plan is to fly as crew most of the day = Growbag on the way to, at work, and on way home.
Plan is for Admin / meetings AM & flying PM = Blues AM & Growbag PM but how granular to we need to go ?
But here is the dilemma: a scenario I've got next week ...
Flying as a PAX on Herc : Would usually go for green, but the doc demands a 2* would need to auth ! Blues no good re H&S (Fire, Cold etc), Growbag I'd avoid as although allowed as its a flying related duty, not flying as duty aircrew..
P.
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"Being part of JHC has its advantages for once!! "
Wizzard .. no joy as the IBN states ..
"..... by the most appropriate RAF 2-star officer - this decision cannot be made by officers from other Services ....."
Unless you transform over to AAC ,, but that looks to the the course that JHC has its eye on for the SHF.
2-stars are going to be busy, can you imagine the hookers in blues with nice new ".... Blue coveralls displaying the RAF logo will be reintroduced to promote the RAF identity in appropriate working environments .... "
Wizzard .. no joy as the IBN states ..
"..... by the most appropriate RAF 2-star officer - this decision cannot be made by officers from other Services ....."
Unless you transform over to AAC ,, but that looks to the the course that JHC has its eye on for the SHF.
2-stars are going to be busy, can you imagine the hookers in blues with nice new ".... Blue coveralls displaying the RAF logo will be reintroduced to promote the RAF identity in appropriate working environments .... "
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Conventions and Corporate Identity
Oh how the world has changed over the last few years. Corporate identity crept up on the RAF in a manner laughable. Whilst many civilian firms have smartened and standardised their corporate dress the RAF allowed itself to be dumbed down. Around Abbey Wood I have seen multiple variations of working dress and none instantly recognisable as RAF. After sorting out the Airmans No 1 HD, which looks the "biz", why didnt they look at No 2 HD and reflect the wishes of those that wear it. In the civil world we wear PPE at the workplace and whatever the company requires on other occasions. You will never find a Civil Airline crew without a smart suit and tie. Civil Cabin Crew have high standards on appearance and grooming. I remember at Faslane being in my PPE and having to get changed to go to the Mess for lunch. I regarded that as normal, just as i had to change to take lunch in the canteen of a major airline. Also Airline Managers conform to suit and tie in the office. If Flying Suits are that contentious why not go back to the old grey/almost Air Force Blue of the 50/60s so you are all of one company and ALL IN BLUES.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Allbert, we are not the only Air Force that uses the rank slides that we so. Indeed I confused an RDAF gp capt (equivalent) who was wearing a wooly pulley. Only the cap gave it away.
Only the proper distinctive RAF Blue is instantly recognisable and that only exists in the No 1s.
In the public perception any one in DPM is Army. Helicopters are Army (BBC in particular).
Equally anyone in a flying suit is Air Force.
If we want identity then we need a recognisable uniform. One in which a brevet can be seen and better medals too. The short sleeved shirt, while cheap and comfortable in a hot office looks like sh1t out in public especially without a tie.
I am not advocating a change to a polo shirt (sh1t with a sweater) but perhaps a switch towards a more recognisable shirt. The USAF changed its rank slides to smarten up their shirts and can wear wings and medals too. The RAAF and RNZAF have brevets on shirts.
So let's go blue but with a smart uniform. No 2 jackets anyone?
PS and use the same colour cloth for jackets and trousers!
Only the proper distinctive RAF Blue is instantly recognisable and that only exists in the No 1s.
In the public perception any one in DPM is Army. Helicopters are Army (BBC in particular).
Equally anyone in a flying suit is Air Force.
If we want identity then we need a recognisable uniform. One in which a brevet can be seen and better medals too. The short sleeved shirt, while cheap and comfortable in a hot office looks like sh1t out in public especially without a tie.
I am not advocating a change to a polo shirt (sh1t with a sweater) but perhaps a switch towards a more recognisable shirt. The USAF changed its rank slides to smarten up their shirts and can wear wings and medals too. The RAAF and RNZAF have brevets on shirts.
So let's go blue but with a smart uniform. No 2 jackets anyone?
PS and use the same colour cloth for jackets and trousers!
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How about a well made, tailored, wind-proof, shower proof, vented, fleece type, blue No.2 jacket (with flat sewn on rank instead of rank slides on the shoulders)? Modern looking and practical.
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I'm sorry but doesn't all this seem just petty and ridiculous to you?
We have guys on our squadron that are doubling and more harmony stats, we have shortages of manpower so they're working every day back home when not on det and not complaining about that for one minute. It seems like the only reward for many years of hard work. Does it not seem that someone behind the scenes raising all kinds of nebulous crap to make life at home that much harder for guys?
When the retention board sit and discuss why people are leaving do they not sit there and think that it could be to do with not just pay and detachments but also the amount of nif naf and triv back home?
In the last few months we have increased the amount of det prep by half a day, we have raised fitness levels (which i don't disagree with) and in some cases made them an operational standard, we have introduced one of the most ridiculous systems for claiming expenses I have seen which must cost more in accounting expenses than it saves, we are now charging people with a mortgage accommodation & food expenses to go away on work essential courses and stay in the mess, BOCS again has reared its ugly head, annual equality and diversity training, and now this?
What next?
We have guys on our squadron that are doubling and more harmony stats, we have shortages of manpower so they're working every day back home when not on det and not complaining about that for one minute. It seems like the only reward for many years of hard work. Does it not seem that someone behind the scenes raising all kinds of nebulous crap to make life at home that much harder for guys?
When the retention board sit and discuss why people are leaving do they not sit there and think that it could be to do with not just pay and detachments but also the amount of nif naf and triv back home?
In the last few months we have increased the amount of det prep by half a day, we have raised fitness levels (which i don't disagree with) and in some cases made them an operational standard, we have introduced one of the most ridiculous systems for claiming expenses I have seen which must cost more in accounting expenses than it saves, we are now charging people with a mortgage accommodation & food expenses to go away on work essential courses and stay in the mess, BOCS again has reared its ugly head, annual equality and diversity training, and now this?
What next?
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1. First post, pse be patient.
2. AIDU I look forward to anything interesting or informative you have to say rather than facetious remarks.
3. I do find it puzzling that the issue of flying suits can be so contentious. It's only another form of dress. There seems to be a perception perhaps that aircrew consider themselves elite. I can only speak for myself but I would not be able to go on detachment without all the help from sections on the Stn such as Med and Dental centre, Gym, Regt Section, PSF and all the others. I certainly wouldn't be able to fly and do the job I love without the outstanding work of the ground engineers who have to work in difficult conditions throughout the day and night. I am sure my fellow crew members feel the same.
4. I just wish that once a decision is taken regarding dress policy, it stays in place and is not revisited every time someone up high has another "WAGI". This will then let us all get on with our job without even more nifnaf and trivia.
Regards
"stand by for incoming"
2. AIDU I look forward to anything interesting or informative you have to say rather than facetious remarks.
3. I do find it puzzling that the issue of flying suits can be so contentious. It's only another form of dress. There seems to be a perception perhaps that aircrew consider themselves elite. I can only speak for myself but I would not be able to go on detachment without all the help from sections on the Stn such as Med and Dental centre, Gym, Regt Section, PSF and all the others. I certainly wouldn't be able to fly and do the job I love without the outstanding work of the ground engineers who have to work in difficult conditions throughout the day and night. I am sure my fellow crew members feel the same.
4. I just wish that once a decision is taken regarding dress policy, it stays in place and is not revisited every time someone up high has another "WAGI". This will then let us all get on with our job without even more nifnaf and trivia.
Regards
"stand by for incoming"
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Albert,
It's some time ago that I visited SHAPE at Mons in Belgium. The place seemed littered with one and two star air force personnel. Turned out that the RBelgAF uses the broad Air Cdre stripe for the equivalent of flight lieutenant.
It's some time ago that I visited SHAPE at Mons in Belgium. The place seemed littered with one and two star air force personnel. Turned out that the RBelgAF uses the broad Air Cdre stripe for the equivalent of flight lieutenant.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
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I seriously dont have any number 2 dress that fits me any more!
Any SNCO aircrew at lyneham fancy swapping my old clobber at clothing stores for me?
This capped actual thing has hit me pretty hard in the pocket, never mind having to buy blues that until now I have only worn a dozen times since finishing Basic (7 years ago!!!)
Any SNCO aircrew at lyneham fancy swapping my old clobber at clothing stores for me?
This capped actual thing has hit me pretty hard in the pocket, never mind having to buy blues that until now I have only worn a dozen times since finishing Basic (7 years ago!!!)
Champagne anyone...?
As an aside and if I'm going to have to wear the ole blue clobber, can anyone suggest a decent tailor where I can get some No2 strides run up? My current ones are getting a bit tired and I can't remember where I got them from...
The issue stuff is, I believe, knitted by gypsies from crisp packets and milky way wrappers and as such isn't fit to line my car boot let alone be worn with RAF insignia on it. I could also do with getting some decent blue shirts too - again the issue ones are of questionable quality and something of a fire hazard .....
The issue stuff is, I believe, knitted by gypsies from crisp packets and milky way wrappers and as such isn't fit to line my car boot let alone be worn with RAF insignia on it. I could also do with getting some decent blue shirts too - again the issue ones are of questionable quality and something of a fire hazard .....
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Variations on the theme....
You could always wear No.1 trousers, These, complete with a decent set of brightly coloured braces worn over o short sleeve shirt, should get the SWO quite warm under the (blue) collar!
If you do get some strides made, how about a Levis style boot cut, or maybe a narrow leg, with useful thigh-pockets, just to mix it up a little?
On a different tach, what is an acceptable cant angle for a stable belt. Past 45 degrees its more of a corset isn't it? I will ask OC PMS (old nomenclature) , he should know....
Leather jackets look great with blues, and lets face it, what are they going to do about it (apart from possibly have some questionable, if fashionable, same gender attraction issues)? I am going straight to hell....
If you do get some strides made, how about a Levis style boot cut, or maybe a narrow leg, with useful thigh-pockets, just to mix it up a little?
On a different tach, what is an acceptable cant angle for a stable belt. Past 45 degrees its more of a corset isn't it? I will ask OC PMS (old nomenclature) , he should know....
Leather jackets look great with blues, and lets face it, what are they going to do about it (apart from possibly have some questionable, if fashionable, same gender attraction issues)? I am going straight to hell....
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leather jackets?
pylot,
Surely you're not suggesting we wear leather jackets with our #2s? I'm fairly sure that extremes of fashion such as Leather and, dare I say it, Denim were outlawed on day 1 of attending IOT?
I think it's a shame I handed back my blue long raincoat as it'd be a good sport to see how many different 'uniforms' we can get on one base.
Surely you're not suggesting we wear leather jackets with our #2s? I'm fairly sure that extremes of fashion such as Leather and, dare I say it, Denim were outlawed on day 1 of attending IOT?
I think it's a shame I handed back my blue long raincoat as it'd be a good sport to see how many different 'uniforms' we can get on one base.