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Did they produce toned-down rank slides for officers or was it just for other ranks?

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Royal Air Force Combat Uniform Dress Policy

After consideration of the Defence policy on the wearing of the new Personal Clothing System Combat Uniform (PCS CU), the RAF has decided to make a number of adjustments which are consistent with the DIB issued in Feb 2011 on the introduction of the Personal Clothing System and the intent in Joint DIN 2008DIN01-200 ‘The Wearing of Uniform in Public - Standards of Dress and Behaviour’.

This policy change is intended to help maintain the RAF’s profile in the public eye when wearing combat uniform by allowing the use of standard RAF blue rank slides and braid, stable belts and the introduction of an RAF specific badge. These changes will also come into effect for the deployed phase of Op OLYMPIC for RAF personnel in the Venue Security Force who may be wearing PCS CU to undertake such tasks as vehicle searches.

The most significant change is that when Royal Air Force personnel are required to wear the new uniform at their normal place of work ‘on base’, the PCS CU lightweight jacket is to be worn ‘tucked in’ to trousers. In addition, standard blue RAF rank slides/braids are to be worn and personnel are permitted to wear approved pattern RAF stable belts. In due course an RAF badge will be introduced, to be worn in place of the Tactical Recognition Flash.

When personnel are engaged on tasks that entail high levels of physical activity, particularly at higher temperatures, local commanders will retain the authority to allow the jacket to be temporarily un-tucked; it is also permissible, as in the extant regulations for CS95, to remove the jacket completely and complete the tasks in just the t-shirt. Once the task is completed, or an individual leaves the task to undertake less strenuous duties about his Unit, then the Jacket should be replaced and tucked in to the trousers.

Due to the limitations of the current sleeve design, the sleeves of the jacket are normally to be worn down. However, where the activity or temperature dictate, sleeves can be rolled up at the discretion of the individual.

The new combat uniform was designed specifically to support the combat task. Thus, when personnel are engaged in combat operations, operational training or on exercises where combat uniform is being worn as part of a specific requirement of the task, and where high activity levels can be expected to be encountered at short notice, the jacket is to be worn outside of the trousers. In these situations, low contrast rank slides, combat webbing belts and tactical recognition flashes may also be worn at the discretion of the local Commander.

The full details of these changes can be found at AP1358 Dress Regulations for the Royal Air Force, Chapter 2.

This revised policy should be read in the context of the IBN issued in Sep 08, which directed a significant reversion to the wearing of No 2 blue uniform and a greater wearing of uniform in public in support of a stronger public profile for the RAF. While RAF Commanders retain the authority to allow or direct the wearing of combat uniform for its designated purpose of combat operations, operational training and exercises, routine work activities ‘on base’ will rarely qualify against these criteria. Furthermore, combat uniform is not the alternative dress for heavy or dirty work, for which personnel should use standard-issue coveralls. Any standing routine wearing of combat uniform will require the authorization of the respective RAF 2-star/AOC.
For all RAF personnel serving with or in Joint, RN and Army organizations, single-Service dress regulations take precedence unless there are other operational imperatives. In these situations RAF personnel are expected to wear No 2 HD unless a new standing authority to routinely wear combat uniform routinely is given by the most appropriate RAF 2-star officer - this decision cannot be made by officers from other Services. Furthermore, RAF personnel should not wear accoutrements affiliating them to non-RAF organizations, such as stable belts, regimental berets and badges; only RAF variants are permitted.

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Lightweight Jacket. A shirt that can be worn over a thermal or sweat-wicking layer. It can be worn either tucked in to trousers or loose depending on environmental conditions. In order to allow body armour to be worn over the top (in temperate conditions) buttons have been removed and replaced with Velcro and a zip.

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Combat Uniform has been optimised for field use. While the fitting of badges is a secondary consideration this can be done although there will be some changes to positioning. The blanking plate on the Bicep Pockets will allow badges to be removed or changed from one garment to another, reducing tailoring requirements as well as allowing badges to be removed in the field to avoid compromising camouflage performance. Service Dress Committees will issue direction in due course.

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The MTP license does not allow MTP to be produced by private companies. Therefore regimental high contrast rank slides, where worn, cannot be produced without cutting up Combat Uniform garments. These rank slides also compromise camouflage performance.

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Just face it; no matter how you dress, you'll never be mistaken for a combat arm

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They will not be wearing headress

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