Although the CA has made this decision, the Slouch Hat remains the pre-eminent headdress of the Australian Army and its to be worn strictly within the policy that is outlined in the Army Dress Manual once it is amended.
The Army Dress Manual will be amended in Dec 13, in order to allow commanders to make an informed decision based on approved policy for the commencement of 2014. The amendments will effect chapter 3 – Items of Dress; chapter 4 – Badges and Emblems and chapter 5 – Orders of Dress.
Members on posting during the Dec 13 -Jan 14 period are urged to confirm the correct form of headdress prior to marching-in to their new unit.
From RSM-A unit RSM’s are to strictly comply with this new dress policy.
An extract of dress policy, direction and guidance for the wearing of the beret is below.
Wearing the beret. Berets are to be purchased at the members’ expense–Commonwealth funds are not to be used to purchase berets. The beret is to be worn with the band level on the forehead and level from front to rear on the left side. The lower edge of the band is to be 2–3 cm above and parallel to the eyebrows. The crown of the beret is to be pulled down to the right and the Corps, regiment or unit badge is to be positioned vertically over the left eye. The badge is positioned centrally on the backing provided with the lower edge 1 cm above the band. The beret is not to be carried tucked under the epaulette, through the belt loop or in pockets when it is not worn. The ribbon within the band is finished in a small, neat bow at the rear of the beret. The bow is to be sewn to the band.
Circumstances when berets may be worn. Only a Commander/CO/OC may authorise the wearing of berets by unit members when wearing ceremonial and general duty orders of dress. Berets may only be worn during the following circumstances or occasions:
a. Dress Order No. 4A–General Duty Dress (DPCU), i.e. dress of the day.
b. An internal/barracks/Defence establishment ceremonial parade that is held by a Corps, regiment, unit or sub-unit, including ramp ceremonies which does not include other Service contingents.
c. When a spectator at an internal/barracks specified Corps, regiment, unit or sub-unit ceremonial parade or activity.
d. When initially inducting or being inducted into a Corps, regiment, unit or sub-unit that the beret has direct heritage links with, e.g. respective Corps, regiment or unit lanyard parade or farewelling a Corps, regiment, unit or sub-unit member or at a military funeral in either general duty or ceremonial orders of dress.
e. When travelling overseas and performing official and/or representational duties, except for the following circumstances or occasions:
(1) when participating as part of a formed body;
(2) when participating in field training activity;
(3) when participating in a contingent exercise; and
(4) when on operational service, unless posted on United Nations (UN) or Multi-national Force/Observer (MFO) duty.
f. When posted to a formation HQ or an Army training establishment, except RMC-D and ADFA.
g. The commander of the following functional command HQ may authorise the wearing of the beret at his/her discretion during the above circumstances and occasions. Those functional commands include:
(1) HQ FORCOMD;
(2) HQ 1 Div;
(3) HQ 2 Div; and
(4) SOHQ.
Berets of the designated colour are only to be worn by authorised members posted to the following Corps/Regiments/Units/Sub-units/Mission as follows:
a. RAAC–Black. Members of RAAC are to wear Corps or regimental hat badge. Members of other Corps posted to a RAAC unit are to wear their parent Corps hat badge.
b. RAR–Rifle Green. Members who are only entitled to wear RAR embellishments and RAR hat badge.
c. AA Avn–Light Blue. Members of AA Avn are to wear Corps or regimental hat badge. Members of other Corps posted to an AA Avn unit are to wear their parent Corps hat badge. The Corps or regimental hat badge is surmounted on a dark blue cloth.
d. RACMP–Scarlet. Members who are RACMP qualified only.
e. Airborne (Para) units–Dull Cherry. Members who are posted to 176 AD Sqn, AMTDU or PTS and are parachute qualified are to wear parent Corps or regimental hat badge. Members who are qualified para riggers and are posted to a para riggers position are to wear parent Corps or regimental hat badge. A member who is para rigger conductor qualified but only when performing the duties of the para rigger conductor are to wear parent Corps or regimental hat badge.
f. Commando–Sherwood Green. Members who are commando qualified are to wear beret, IAW annex A to chapter 2–Special Operations Command.
g. SASR–Fawn. Members who are SAS qualified are to wear the beret, IAWannex A to chapter 2–Special Operations Command.
h. RAANC–Slate Grey. All members of the RAANC unless posted to a RAAC or AA Avn unit.
i. All other Corps/Regiments/Units–Army/Service Blue. All other members of the Army who are not eligible to wear a specific Corps/Regiment/Unit beret, listed above are to wear their respective Corps/Regiment/Unit hat badge.
j. UN–Light Blue. Members who are posted to UN appointments are to wear the UN hat badge. Former members of UN contingents may only wear the UN beret with UN hat badge at commemorative ceremonies when held on United Nations Day (24 October) of every year or during other specific UN celebrations.
k. MFO–Terracotta. Members who are posted to MFO appointments are to wear the MFO hat badge. Former members of the MFO may only wear the MFO beret with MFO hat badge at MFO commemorative ceremonies.
A Commander/CO/OC may authorise the type of headdress to be worn for a particular circumstance or occasion at his/her discretion so that headdress uniformity is applied, except for those circumstances or occasions when berets are not to be worn (below).
SOCAUST may authorise members who are only posted to SOCOMD units to wear the beret when wearing ceremonial and general duty orders of dress during any circumstance or occasion, which include a ceremonial activity of national significance or when travelling overseas, and performing official and/or representational duties. The beret is not authorised to be worn by members posted SOCOMD units when wearing field orders of dress.
Members posted to UN or MFO positions are to wear the UN/MFO beret, IAW UN/MFO requirements.
Corps/Regiment/Unit hat badges. When authorised to wear a beret, the hat badge of the specified Corps/Regiment/Unit is to be worn. RAA members are to wear the miniature RAA hat badge in lieu of the large RAA hat badge when wearing the beret. The miniature RAA hat badge is to be purchased at the members’ expense.
SOCOMD Corps/Regiment hat badges. When authorised to wear a beret, SF members posted to SOCOMD units are to wear the hat badge and embellishments of their qualification. Non-qualified SF members posted to SOCOMD units are to wear their respective SOCOMD unit hat badge when wearing the beret or Hat KFF.
SOCOMD units with non-qualified SF members are to wear the Army/Service Blue beret. The wearing of the SOCOMD unit beret, embellishments and accoutrements are at annex A to chapter 2–Special Operations Command.
Special considerations, risk assessment and sun protection. Members assessed by an RMO/SMO as being at additional risk to exposure from the sun or where individuals have a medical restriction which requires them to minimise their exposure to direct sunlight, may wear the Hat KFF. Regardless of any other provisions, individuals may elect to self-assess and wear the Hat KFF any time during any circumstance or occasion. No pressure is to be placed on an individual to wear a beret due to their concerns over exposure to the sun.
When berets are authorised to be worn, the onus rests with the Commander/CO/OC to ensure all aspect of risk is applied and that adequate sun protection/sun screen is made available, and is applied accordingly.
Circumstances when berets are not to be worn. With the exception of members posted to SOCOMD units, a beret is not to be worn when wearing ceremonial, general duty and field orders of dress during the following circumstances or occasions:
a. When in the field, on exercise or on operations, both within Australia and overseas, with the exception of ramp ceremonies, when authorised by the Commander/CO/OC. Other authorised field headdress is to be worn, unless posted on UN or MFO duty.
b. When participating in or attending as a spectator in an external to barracks/Defence establishment ceremonial parade, activity or occasion of national significance, e.g:
(1) ANZAC Day;
(2) Remembrance Day;
(3) when an Army member is part of a tri-Service contingent (whether in Australia or overseas);
(4) a RMC or ADFA Graduation parade or Queen’s Birthday parade;
(5) at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and Martin Place in Sydney; and
(6) any other occasion where Army as a whole is being represented in the public domain, e.g. selling legacy badges or poppies.
c. Any Army member who is posted to the following functional command HQ or units, including:
(1) AHQ;
(2) HQ JOC;
(3) Other Service HQ;
(4) Any Non-Army Group, e.g. ADFA, DMO or AFG etc; and
(5) RMC-D.
A General or Senior officer is to wear the appropriate hat badge so that the badge is directly above the left eye when the beret is worn. A General or Senior officer is to only wear the Army/Service Blue beret during the circumstances or occasions when berets may be worn(above). However a General or Senior officer fulfilling Head of Corps/Head of Regiment/honorary Colonel/COLCOMDT and other honorary appointments may wear the designated colour beret appropriate to that appointment when attending activities of the Corps or Regiment.
Any questions are to be diredcted to myself.
Have a good day!!
Regards,
David R. Lehr
WO1
RSM Ceremonial-Army
AHQ
Speak Your Mind