Aiir Cadet Uniform

atc uniform

The ATC uniform that Air Cadets wear is the uniform of the Royal Air Force. The Air Cadets are the public face of the RAF so it is important that it is ironed and looked after. Air Cadets wear three types of uniform and different types of uniform are worn for different activities.

The article below is an extract from the First Class Air Cadet Resource Book. Please note this information is subject to Copyright 2018 Thomas Grocott. Not for reproduction. Thomas Grocott has asserted his right to be identified as author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved.Some images in this publication are Crown Copyright and contain public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Types of Uniform

Air Cadets wear three different types of uniform. ‘Blue’ uniforms are issued free of charge by the RAF. You only need to provide your own shoes. Number 3 (green) combat uniform is not normally provided to air cadets. Your squadron will be able to give you advice on where to purchase this from. If you are not wearing a jumper, sleeves can be rolled up on the dark blue shirt.

Wedgwood Blue Uniform Number 2a

Wedgwood Blue Uniform Number 2a is worn by air cadets for inspections and events. This uniform consists of an air cadet beret with ATC cap badge, light blue shirt (sleeves always rolled down), black tie tied with a full Windsor knot, ATC brassard (worn on the right arm), optional jumper for cold weather, blue-grey belt or stable belt, RAF No. 2 trousers or RAF blue skirt. The cadet will also wear highly polished black DMS shoes, black socks or nearly black tights.

Air Cadet Working Blue Uniform Number 2c

This air cadet uniform is for general, day-to-day wear. This outfit consists of and an RAF issue beret with the air cadet cap badge, dark blue working blue shirt (sleeves either down or rolled up), air cadet brassard (worn on the right arm), optional jumper for cold weather, a blue-grey belt or stable belt, No. 2 trousers or RAF blue skirt. This uniform is always worn with highly polished air cadet shoes, socks or nearly black tights.

Combat Uniform Number 3 Uniform

For outdoor or messy activities, air cadets wear MTP Combat Uniform No.3 (commonly referred to as 'greens'). MTP stands for Multi Terrain Pattern and is the current camouflage pattern worn by all British Forces personnel. This MTP air cadet uniform consists of a Royal Air Force beret with the air cadets cap badge, green or brown t-shirt, MTP-PCS lightweight jacket (shirt), MTP PCS trousers, optional MTP PCS smock, optional cold weather green or brown warm layers, green/PCS belt and brown or black air cadet boots.

Caring for Your Uniform

When you are given your uniform it is your responsibility to make sure it is clean and well maintained. Speak to a staff member at your squadron if any of your uniform gets damaged or if it no longer fits. They will be able to provide you with replacements. Write your name and squadron number on the labels inside your uniform; if it gets lost it will be easier to return it to you. You must return all of your issued uniform when you leave the Air Cadets. The beret is to be worn with the band horizontal across the head and 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the eyebrows. The cap badge must be above the left eye and must not be obscured when viewed from the front. Before you wear you beret for the first time, it needs to be shaped. To do this put a little cold water in the bath and hot water in the sink. Without getting the leather band wet, alternatively immerse the beret in the hot and cold water. In between each hot and cold cycle put the beret on your head, holding the badge and pulling the excess material towards your right ear. After several attempts it should be the right shape. If you can, wear the beret until it dries so it moulds to the shape of your head. Both shirts should be cleaned and well ironed at all times, with a single crease in the sleeves. Ensure the crease goes from the centre of the epaulette to the furthermost pleat from the button at the end of the sleeve. You can neatly roll up the sleeves of the dark blue shirt, but not the light blue shirt. You are given a tie to wear with your light blue shirt. You should never iron, or wash this in any way. If you ever have to remove creases in the tie iron it on the reverse on a cool setting. The tie should be tied using the Windsor knot. Instructions on how to tie this knot can be found online. The air cadet jumper is to be kept clean and in a good state of repair (no holes). The epaulettes should be damp pressed and the cuffs should be worn turned back. If your jumper starts to get ‘fluffy’ due to washing, then remove the fluff with a razor (taking care not to rip the jumper) or a de-fuzzer. You can still iron your jumper on a warm setting but do not add any creases. The skirt should be pressed to ensure a crease-less finish. One of the best ways to remove creases from a skirt is to simply hang it for a while for the creases to drop out. A skirt should be knee length. This can be tested by kneeling down. If the skirt just touches the ground then it is the correct length. Trousers Trousers are to be kept in a clean and well pressed condition at all times. Creases are to run down the front and back of each trouser leg, starting at the pleat in the waistband. A good way to get better creases is to put a little bit of dry soap along the creases on the inside of the trouser leg. When you iron the trousers it acts like glue and makes the creases sharper. The aim is to get a sharp crease all along the front and back of the trousers. Girls can wear trousers as an optional item. Female trousers are called slacks. The brassard badges need to be positioned correctly. Ask a senior member of your squadron who will help with this. Your brassard should have no creases on it and will need to be ironed flat. Do this on a warm setting. If the iron is too hot, as with all clothing, the material will go shiny. A member of staff or an experienced cadet will be able to give you a diagram with the correct badge positions.

Air Cadet Hair

A male’s hair must be kept short with no hair touching the collar of the shirt. Females need to arrange their ‘hair in a manner which permits the uniform headdress to be worn correctly’. No hair is allowed to stick out the front of the beret and is not allowed to touch the bottom of the collar on the shirt. A hair ribbon can be worn in the form of a ‘scrunchie’, but it needs to be a similar colour to the hair or black. It cannot be worn on parade. If hair is dyed, it must be a natural colour. No bright or unnatural colours are allowed.

Air Cadet Shoes

Your air cadet shoes should be free of dust and shoes should not be ‘cross laced’. Male air cadet shoes should be bulled on the toecap, then polished to a good shine on the body of the shoe. Female shoes should be bulled at the front of the shoe and polished to a good shine on the body. Visible areas of the sole should be kept clean. You can polish your shoes with cotton wool balls, kiwi polish and plenty of water. Ask some older cadets for their best shoe polishing technique. Socks must be black and no other colour with no logos, stripes, or anything added to them. The current regulation colour for tights is ‘nearly black’ in 15 denier thickness. To summarise, be proud to wear your uniform - it is also the uniform of the Royal Air Force. Air Cadets wear three types of uniform. Look after your uniform and ensure it is well maintained.