Which wings to wear on transfer to another Service?
Join Date: May 2008
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Having recently transfered from the AAC to the RAF, I am proud to wear my army wings on my flying suit and RAF wings on my shiney new blue uniform. That is also how many others who have also transfered play it too.
Therefore, in answer to the original, I believe he should wear RN wings on his new uniform and AAC on his flying rig if he wishes.
Therefore, in answer to the original, I believe he should wear RN wings on his new uniform and AAC on his flying rig if he wishes.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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I wear the wings of the Service I'm in at the time, it's a mark of respect to the guys you serve with - different for exchange guys, obviously. Most guys keep their original issue wings for the reverse of their mess kit lapel. Those who say you should wear your original issued wings are wrong and are, most probably, still living in the 1950's. As long as your friends are happy with your uniform then who cares.
USAF former 55th SOS pilot has Navy and AF Wings
Sorry to interject, but back in 98 at the Mildenhall Air Fete, they had an MH-60G Pave Hawk from the now disbanded 55th SOS at Hulbert Field and the A/C wore a velcro wings patch with BOTH USN and USAF wings. Basically he started off as a Naval aviator then transferred to the USAF.
But I am gathering from the discussion here that here in UK, there is no velcro wings patch for combo of RAF/AAC/FAA wings
But I am gathering from the discussion here that here in UK, there is no velcro wings patch for combo of RAF/AAC/FAA wings
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Wearing of badges
Seems like a very simple thing to sort out. Your UNIFORM is specific to whichever service you are a member of. The badges applicable to the particular service in which one serves are those which should be worn on your UNIFORM.
Gentleman Aviator
Notwithstanding the earlier quote from RAF regs (which seems only to exclude foreign badges), ISTR an obscure mixture of regs from earlier cases.
RAF and Army wings may legally be worn on each other's uniform, but only until unless/until you qualify for the "home" set. Examples I'm aware of include RAF pilots who joined Army and/or TA in non-flying roles (still wear RAF wings) and Army pilots transferring who wear theirs until awarded RAF wings.
The RN (as ever) is different. IIRC, under RN rules, no other (non-RN) wings may be worn on their uniform, nor may RN wings be worn on non-RN (OK pedants, or RM) uniforms.
RAF and Army wings may legally be worn on each other's uniform, but only until unless/until you qualify for the "home" set. Examples I'm aware of include RAF pilots who joined Army and/or TA in non-flying roles (still wear RAF wings) and Army pilots transferring who wear theirs until awarded RAF wings.
The RN (as ever) is different. IIRC, under RN rules, no other (non-RN) wings may be worn on their uniform, nor may RN wings be worn on non-RN (OK pedants, or RM) uniforms.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Join Date: Mar 2001
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If it's any help........
I joined the RAF in 1980 having been an Army trained Lieutenant Royal Marines Heli pilot, followed by 3 years as a Flight Lieutenant Heli pilot in SOAF.
As I was joining the RAF as GD(P) I wore RAF wings on all my relevant uniforms. At that time I was told I couldn't wear a Commando Dagger, although I believe they do now.
On the same SERE Course was a former Para Regt Heli pilot, and as he was joining the Fighter Control Branch he was not allowed to wear pilots wings of any description, anywhere.
ERB
I joined the RAF in 1980 having been an Army trained Lieutenant Royal Marines Heli pilot, followed by 3 years as a Flight Lieutenant Heli pilot in SOAF.
As I was joining the RAF as GD(P) I wore RAF wings on all my relevant uniforms. At that time I was told I couldn't wear a Commando Dagger, although I believe they do now.
On the same SERE Course was a former Para Regt Heli pilot, and as he was joining the Fighter Control Branch he was not allowed to wear pilots wings of any description, anywhere.
ERB
Like the civs at DEFTS etc. Below the Glidepath - not correcting
Uniform:
: having always the same form, manner, or degree : not varying or variable <uniform procedures>
: presenting an unvaried appearance of surface, pattern, or color
: having always the same form, manner, or degree : not varying or variable <uniform procedures>
: presenting an unvaried appearance of surface, pattern, or color
There is a RAF Air Trafficker who joined the RN as an observer. He passed Culdrose but then got chopped on his Lynx conversion. He went over to Pinger SK and got chopped there. Then he went RN ATC but didn't do well enough at it for the RN to be happy. The RAF took him so he transferred to a light blue hue. BUT he 'elected' to wear a RAF Navigator's brevet as he'd been awared hs RN 'moth'. He's never been RAF aircrew and never will. I wasn't happy when I saw it on his No 1s. 
Join Date: Apr 2008
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I have seen a ex RNZAF pilot who transferred to the RAF, still wearing his RNZAF wings on his flying suit.
Not thats its a problem, as they still look good.
Wonder if he wears 'New Zealand' Shoulder Flashes aka WW2 on his No.1's?
Not thats its a problem, as they still look good.
Wonder if he wears 'New Zealand' Shoulder Flashes aka WW2 on his No.1's?
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I went RN to RAF 7 years ago, on leaving RN the only letter I got was one pointing out that I wasn't allowed to wear the uniform anymore, just as well really as the bits I did not give away it went on ebay.
Turned up in the office wearing a jumper with no wings and Flt Cdr was quite shocked as I could be mistaken for a blunty, when asked which ones I should wear we decided on RAF as that was who I work for now and the Navy ones would look silly on an RAF uniform, sensible decision.
I do now have a couple name badges with RN and RAF wings but that works well where I work is truly tri service.
Frankly this all seems a lot of fuss about nothing, you wear the uniform of the service you work for, if you are really that hung up about wearing the wings you earned in training why are you leaving in the first place?
Turned up in the office wearing a jumper with no wings and Flt Cdr was quite shocked as I could be mistaken for a blunty, when asked which ones I should wear we decided on RAF as that was who I work for now and the Navy ones would look silly on an RAF uniform, sensible decision.
I do now have a couple name badges with RN and RAF wings but that works well where I work is truly tri service.
Frankly this all seems a lot of fuss about nothing, you wear the uniform of the service you work for, if you are really that hung up about wearing the wings you earned in training why are you leaving in the first place?
