what does this badge mean
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what does this badge mean
I note a RAF helicopter crewman wearing a metal A badge above his sgt badge on his dress uniform.
Can anyone indicate what this denotes.
Thanks Col
Can anyone indicate what this denotes.
Thanks Col
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Yes HH but it's a mine of info for someone like me who used to deal in military badges and who still finds them very interesting. A lot of new stuff there which doesn't appear in my older reference books. The OP refers to a metal badge above the sergeant's chevrons which doesn't tie in with the ones illustrated for the RAuxAF in the above ref, which appear to be metal for officers and cloth for NCOs/ORs
Maybe somebody should look at what the Navy and Army books look like before taking the P!ss. That AP has been around for at least 22 years and most of the Badges in it since the mid 1960s or much earlier.
The majority of RAFVR(T) personnel are now transferred to a new grouping: RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC).
Officers and non-commissioned personnel wear the same rank badges but the officers gilt VRT and the NCOs and WOs gilt ATC have both been replaced by RAFAC in gilt for No1 and No5 uniforms and by embroidered: RAF Air Cadets below the rank identity on most other uniforms.
It's all part of the new Cadet Forces Commission and the greater alignment between officers and non commissioned personnel.
Whilst not questioning the need for a cadet forces commission, the administration of the whole process has been a classic example of a complete cock up. Most personnel might have received the bare minimum of rank badges to the new style but the gilt pins are nowhere to be seen. The implementation of the change over was oft delayed with an excuse that this is the first new commission for a hundred years which shows just how little the authorities know about RAF history and their ignorance of the other new commissions introduced.
Old Duffer
Officers and non-commissioned personnel wear the same rank badges but the officers gilt VRT and the NCOs and WOs gilt ATC have both been replaced by RAFAC in gilt for No1 and No5 uniforms and by embroidered: RAF Air Cadets below the rank identity on most other uniforms.
It's all part of the new Cadet Forces Commission and the greater alignment between officers and non commissioned personnel.
Whilst not questioning the need for a cadet forces commission, the administration of the whole process has been a classic example of a complete cock up. Most personnel might have received the bare minimum of rank badges to the new style but the gilt pins are nowhere to be seen. The implementation of the change over was oft delayed with an excuse that this is the first new commission for a hundred years which shows just how little the authorities know about RAF history and their ignorance of the other new commissions introduced.
Old Duffer
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TBH I can think of worse from other arms of the Govt. - the Plain English Society has some real specials
I'm sort of torn between the idea we should get rid of people who have little else to do and , on the other hand, its really a form of care in the community and at least they are unlikely to do anyone serious harm cranking out this sort of thing.............
I'm sort of torn between the idea we should get rid of people who have little else to do and , on the other hand, its really a form of care in the community and at least they are unlikely to do anyone serious harm cranking out this sort of thing.............
I absolutely love page 24 ..... Mountain Rescue (blimey, v risky job that!), Bomb Disposal (aghhh, not for H 'n' H such death-defying stuff – the land of real heroes that!), Marksman (silent assassins trained to kill on the first shot!!!!!) ..... then …. on the same page ….. "Voluntary Bandsman"!!! Now, I was one of 'em for 30 years! Never realised that put me in the same league as the first 3!!!!!! Mind you, the way I played Clarinet then Cornet, I certainly "assassinated" a few good tunes in my “career” as a Volunteer Bandy!!!!!!!! 
Danny - if the list that Daf Hucker has posted a link to is still current, that situation is still the case (officer metal on collar, NCO cloth on sleeve). That is why I wonder what the metal A above the sergeant's chevrons that the OP talks about signifies.
To all those disparaging this document - I made a living out of flogging this sort of stuff for 30 years or so, so don't knock it. Very useful! The army ones are fascinating, and the navy seems to invent a whole new set of trades every couple of years or so, each with its own particular sleeve badge - runs into hundreds.
brokenlink - there is a continuous downward trend in the quality of badges etc. I collect military buttons and I have a complete set of all 109 pre-1881 buttons from the old numbered regiments of foot. All are of superb quality and some are works of art. No comparison with modern anodised junk.
To all those disparaging this document - I made a living out of flogging this sort of stuff for 30 years or so, so don't knock it. Very useful! The army ones are fascinating, and the navy seems to invent a whole new set of trades every couple of years or so, each with its own particular sleeve badge - runs into hundreds.
brokenlink - there is a continuous downward trend in the quality of badges etc. I collect military buttons and I have a complete set of all 109 pre-1881 buttons from the old numbered regiments of foot. All are of superb quality and some are works of art. No comparison with modern anodised junk.
Gentleman Aviator
Whilst not questioning the need for a cadet forces commission, the administration of the whole process has been a classic example of a complete cock up.
You surprise and shock me .........
I collect military buttons and I have a complete set of all 109 pre-1881 buttons from the old numbered regiments of foot. All are of superb quality and some are works of art. No comparison with modern anodised junk.[/QUOTE]
You lucky, lucky b*****d, I have never even seen all those buttons, your collection must be unique.
You lucky, lucky b*****d, I have never even seen all those buttons, your collection must be unique.
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It shows that said Sgt is a member of the RAuxAF, as in A for Auxiliary. Dress regs were changed a while back removing the need to wear the A on all forms of uniform (technically, you had to have an A on 'normal' rank slides, as well as collar dogs on No1s and No5s). It's all part of the 'whole force concept' don'tchaknow...
I know plenty of us 'Oggies' who are quite proud of our heritage and status and who routinely 'forget' to take them off.
I know plenty of us 'Oggies' who are quite proud of our heritage and status and who routinely 'forget' to take them off.
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That would never have done with the 24th at Rorkes Drift!