Recent content by Pusser

For officers, yes. However chiefs and petty officers first class in RCN 1.0 and in the RN still today, wear six button jackets. Then there was this guy, who dared to be different.

You do realize that only officers had eight buttons in RCN 1.0? C&POs only had six. The RN still does it this way. Interestingly, the RAN issues eight-button jackets to both officer and C&POs. I would rather have a white tunic than eight buttons on my blue jacket.

If you go to Quinpool Tailor on Oxford St in Halifax, they have some photos (or used to anyway) of the prototype square rig for MS and Below. I know it's not a pre-1968 photo because it's a sailor in square rig with a modern (MS) rank badge. Unfortunately, this idea was short-lived because the...

Rank collar badges came from unification (i.e. long before DEU). Remember, the DEU only dates from 1985. It's also worth noting that "DEU" is not an order of dress. It WAS a project that has long since closed. From a linguistic sense, it's interesting that "DEU" has made it into the...

How about sewn on the sleeve where they belong?

Even if you do have up to date immunization records with you, they may stick you anyway.  No doubt boosters are required.  The funny part is when they tell you after receiving the vaccine, to "get plenty of rest and avoid exertion..." ;D

The CAF will move your household furniture and effects (F&E).  That would be all the stuff you have in your house (subject to some restrictions on weight and hazardous materials).  No one will be examining your F&E to determine who actually owns it.  Having said that, below is the definition of...

No one is suggesting we practice getting concussions.  THAT is ridiculous.  However, what folks are saying is that proper training is crucial to avoiding concussions.  Remember that we play these games for fun. The thrill, the adrenaline rush, the challenge and the "danger" are all part of what...

Remember that a recruiter's job is to get people into the CAF, not keep them out.  If there's a good chance of enrollment, they will continue the process (as they should).  Rely on them to provide you with the best advice and best course of action. As far as I know, your young offender record...

You're absolutely right.  I guess the memory fades over the years.  S4B was with service dress trousers.  W5/6 looked similar, but with work dress trousers and occasionally the work dress jacket (or flight jacket for those so lucky).

The British Army actually had a garrison uniform as far back as at least the 18th Century.  It was made of a natural shade of wool (whitish) and was worn for daily work and could be cleaned.  The red coat was saved strictly for battle and parades and could not generally be cleaned because they...

Funny you should mention that.  In the early days of the switch from green to blue work dress at sea, it was suggested that officers be issued extra white shirts for use with work dress, precisely so they could be readily identified as leaders in tense situations. Of note, in the USN there was...

One of the reasons Nelson is reported to have been picked off by a French marine sharpshooter is because he stood out from the crowd in his admiral's uniform. I'm not saying we have to return to 1990 (yes, it was that recent), but there are some folks who take the operational mantra to an...

2007 in a Canadian ship.  2015 in a British one.  It appears that yet another tradition has died.  :'( PS:  Do they not let you inside your ships?  It must get pretty miserable being on them all the time ;D

Don't be silly.  Mess dress is evening wear - only worn after 1800. Kidding aside, back in the day when all single officers* generally lived on board their ships, officers wore mess undress for dinner every evening, unless they were attending a formal event ashore immediately following dinner...