ACF/CCF CLOTHING

It costs a great deal of money to provide all ACF/CCF cadets with a free of charge uniform with enough stock for exchanges. Therefore, taking good care of it, including keeping it clean, pressed and in good repair is very important. During basic training, cadets are given instructions on how to care for their uniform.

Remember… Sloppy Uniform, Sloppy Cadet"!

Cadet Brassard

THE BRASSARD

The Brassard is worn in Jersey and Shirt Sleeve Orders only. It is difficult to keep clean; it can be dry cleaned, but has to be treated with care. The ironing/pressing can be done in several ways, cadets should check with their Detachment Adults on the correct method for  their County.

Brassard Badges of Achievement

The following badges and insignia may be sewn on. They must not be stuck on with glue.
- Badges of rank and chevrons in white tap
- APC (ACF) Star badge at top right
- Not more than four Proficiency/Skill at Arms badges taking precedence from top left

Exchanges

If combats get ripped on the weekend training exercise, there is a system for exchanging uniform, cadets should find out what to do about it.

Tips for Pressing Uniform

• Check the label; do not get your iron too hot.
• When ironing trousers or skirts, use an old tea towel (not terry toweling) as a pressing cloth. If using a steam iron, do not damp the cloth.
• Place the cloth on the item you are ironing, apply the iron.
• Don’t be tempted to apply any substance to your trousers in order to have a ‘permanent’ knife-edge crease – it can go horribly wrong.

Remember:

Cadets should not wear their uniform without permission from their detachment commander unless they are on cadet duties.

THE PCS BLANK PLATE

The blank plate is a separate detachable, patch that is attached by the use of Velcro and can be easily be transferred from Jacket to Jacket.

PCS Blanking Patch - left arm

PCS Blanking Patch - right arm

The right arm plate is for all qualification badges of achievement (see groups and rules of precedence below)

The left arm plate contains uppermost the Union Emblem with a County / Contingent Flash below.

Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets also wear the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet’s Badge on the left arm blanking plate when undertaking Lord Lieutenant’s duties only.

No other badges are to be attached to the left arm blanking plate.

Rules of precedence for the wearing of cadet proficiency and skill at arms badges

There are six groups of Proficiency and Skill at Arms badges, their order of seniority is shown in ascending order in the Dress Regulations Part 8, Appendix 2 to Annex D to section 3.

The Army Proficiency (APC) badges take preference over all others and should be worn at the uppermost point of the blanking plate. Any number of badges may be worn, but only those badges listed within the dress regulations. No badge should be worn that has been superseded by another badge earned within that group. Badges must be presentable and not overlap one another

The six groups are as follows:

Group1 - Army Proficiency Certificate, cadets whom have achieved a particular proficiency wear the appropriate star badge

Group 2 - Duke of Edinburgh's Award, in either gold, silver and bronze award. Whichever is the highest award gained, should be displayed.

Group 3 - Skill at Arms (shot classification badges only), no cadet should wear more than one badge awarded for small bore or full bore shooting. If a cadet holds both awards only the full bore badge, as the superior qualification, is to be worn.

Group 4 - Cadet Leadership Courses

Group 5 - First Aid

Group 6 - Specialist Badges

EXTRA ESSENTIAL KIT

REGULATION BOOTS

Cadets should make sure their boots fit correctly. Too small and they will hurt and damage feet, too large and they could fall over. 

Boots – cleaning and care
There are different ideas about how clean a cadets boots should be. It is most likely that they will only have one pair and they will have to be worn for all their Cadet activities. It is almost impossible to wear them on exercise one day and have them fit for a Drill Competition the next! Most Counties have a common sense approach; they plan their activities to give the Cadets time to smarten their boots for a special parade.

What is most important is to make sure they fit comfortably and are kept in good repair. The laces should be removed to thoroughly clean and polish boots. ACF & CCF Cadets should make sure when re-lacing, that the laces go straight across the eyelet holes, not crossing over them. If boots get wet, they should not be dried in front of a fire or over heat. It will make the leather hard and brittle, thus letting water in. It helps to stuff newspaper inside to absorb the wet/damp, replacing it after a couple of hours with dry paper. A spare pair of laces should always be carried.

Socks:
Cadets should not make the mistake of wearing ‘normal’ socks with their boots. They will find that they rub feet, perhaps even cause blisters. Good thick wool or cotton mix boot socks will help cushion feet and absorb moisture. It is suggested that you have a minimum of two pairs. When on exercise and space is limited, a pair of socks will last for two days (if they do not get wet), by turning them inside out for the second day.

DESIRABLE KIT

Although not essential, the following list could solve some Birthday present problems!

Webbing:
Most Detachment stores have supplies of MTP webbing, similar alternatives can also be purchased through Cadet Direct.

Rucksack:
Your rucksack should be comfortable to wear and not too big for your height.

Knife, Fork and Spoon set: Useful to have, particularly if they all fit together.

Mess Tins: Ensure that these are marked with your name or a distinguishing mark.

Sleeping Bag: As good a quality as is affordable. Make sure that it is washable.

Sleeping Bag Liner: Very useful, particularly for a cadet who does not have their own sleeping bag.

Bungees elastic supports for bivies.

Compass:   A Silva or Sunto Compass (degrees) and a Pathfinder Protractor/Romer.

PERSONAL TURNOUT

MALES
• Face clean and shaved if necessary
• Hair not over the collar or ears, sideburns not below bottom of ears.
• Clothes clean, washed
• Personal hygiene, washing, clean nails, clean socks in good condition.
FEMALES
• Hair: If your hair is long enough to put up NEATLY, then do so. Try to keep your hair from ‘falling’ as it can be a problem on exercise or the ranges. Do not wear fancy hair slides, bobbles or scrunchies.
• Earrings: ONE pair of plain studs. It is advisable to remove them whilst on exercise, to prevent loss.
GENERAL
Body Piercing
It is your personal choice whether you have body piercing. However, for your safety, these should be either removed whilst in uniform, or covered securely with a sticking plaster. There is a real danger of these piercings being caught or becoming infected whilst undertaking most cadet activities.
Rings: One signet ring is acceptable, but ‘Rings on every finger’ does not look right when in uniform. There is also a possibility they may slip off during an exercise or getting caught when weapon cleaning.
Neck Chains and Bracelets: Should not be worn when in uniform, unless they are Medic Alert or similar.

PAYING COMPLIMENTS

Saluting – Origin and information
The salute with the hand, the present arms and salute with the sword were methods by which a person paying a compliment could show the person to whom the compliment was paid that no offence was meant. They were all gestures symbolic of loyalty and trust.
• You will be trained how to salute smartly and correctly
• It is discipline that you salute smartly when you meet an Officer
• If an Officer fails to return the salute, it is bad manners on their part.

The Queens Commission
All compliments derive their origin from the Sovereign, to whom the highest compliment, the Royal Salute, is paid. All Officers of the Army Cadet Force hold the Queens Commission, and when an Officer is saluted it is in recognition of the Queens Commission held in trust by that Officer.

Ask one of your Officers to bring their Commission Paper along for you to see. It is written on parchment paper, signed and sealed by Her Majesty The Queen.

WHEN COMPLIMENTS ARE PAID

The National Anthem
When on parade, stand to attention, only Officers and Warrant Officers salute, NCOs will if in charge of a party.
When not on parade, but in uniform, all ranks will salute. When not on parade, and in plain clothes, all ranks will stand to attention. If a hat is worn, it will be removed (Females do not remove hats).

Standards, Guidons and Colours
As a squad on the march you will give an ‘Eyes Left’ or ‘Right’.
As an individual, you halt; face passing Standards, Guidons or Colours.

Army Cadet Force Banner
The Banner, presented by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, is dedicated, but not consecrated; it does not rank as a Colour, Standard or Guidon. It will be accorded the respect of a Colour except that:
1. Individuals or parties of Cadets passing will not salute it.
2. When Banner passes, individual or parties stand to attention.
3. When taken over, individual taking it will salute first.

PAYING COMPLIMENTS – Saluting to the front: Common Faults.

1. Body and head not remaining erect, shoulders back.
2. Allowing the Right elbow to come forward.
3. Right hand not straight, not in the correct position, wrist not straight and thumb not straight.
4. Allowing the Left arm to creep forward.
5. Left fist not clenched with the thumb in front and in line with seam of trousers. Arm not tight in to the side.
As an aid to good saluting, remember your right hand – with the palm flat, thumb on top, travels the “Longest way up” and the “Shortest way down”. Having saluted, clench your fist, smartly cutting your arm down to your side, keeping the thumb to the front ready to align with the seam of your trousers.