UNIFORMS WHY DO WE WEAR A UNIFORM? CARE OF UNIFORM. Page 1 of 5

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1 Page 1 of 5 As a cadet in the Australian Air Force Cadets, you have been issued with several uniforms upon joining your squadron. It is an organisational requirement that you wear a uniform at weekly parades and extra-curricular activities. It must be remembered that these uniforms are the property of the Commonwealth of Australia and are only on loan, so you must take care of your uniform! There are many guidelines regarding uniform, and this sheet only serves as a brief explanation on key points of uniform and appearance. For further information, see your squadron staff and cadets. WHY DO WE WEAR A UNIFORM? The AAFC is an organisation sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and for this reason we wear the same uniform as RAAF members. We wear our uniform so we can be identified as members of the AAFC, and to give us a sense of belonging and pride. It is also an outwards reflection of our professionalism, discipline and high standards. CARE OF UNIFORM Cadets are responsible for the care and maintenance, including dry cleaning and laundering, of all items of uniform on issue. If uniform becomes ill-fitting or worn, it may be swapped for a newer item. All items of uniform are to be returned laundered or dry cleaned to the AAFC on termination of enrolment. UNIFORMS SERVICE DRESS (SD) SDs are worn on official occasions and as a working dress. It generally consists of a light blue shirt, Air Force Blue (AFB) trousers, AFB rank slides, AFB belt, headdress and black parade shoes. An AFB jumper may also be worn as an optional item. Two different variations include: Warm weather (1B): Long sleeve shirt, trousers, AFB tie, belt, rank slides, shoes and headdress. Hot weather (1C): Short sleeve shirt, trousers, rank slides, shoes, belt and headdress. DISRUPTIVE PATTERN CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM (DPCU) DPCU is worn as either working or field dress in the AAFC. It consists of a coat, trousers, undershirt, DPCU rank slides, cadet boots, headdress and jumper (optional). An AIR FORCE CADETS tag must be worn above the left breast pocket, and an

2 Page 2 of 5 AAFC biscuit at the top of the left sleeve 2 cm from the top (including on the jumper). RANK INSIGNIA Rank insignia is to be worn on all uniforms. When wearing DPCU, an AAFC biscuit must be attached. FOOTWEAR All cadets are issued with a pair of cadet boots. Laces are to be cross-laced. SD shoes (if issued) are to be bar laced. For diagrams of lacing, see page 3. HEADDRESS Headdress is an integral part of the AAFC uniform and as such is to be worn in most outdoor environments. Headdress is not normally worn inside, except when reporting to superiors. The practice of carrying headwear, rather than wearing it, to avoid paying appropriate compliments, is one that is not condoned. The standard cadet headdress is the Hat Fur Felt - Khaki (HFF-K) and is worn with both SD and DPCU. A bush hat is also issued for field/ leadership activities. Further information on the HFF-K can be found on page 4. APPEARANCE All members are responsible for ensuring that at all times they are correctly dressed and well turned-out. A smart turn-out fosters good morale and favourably affects public opinion. In particular, each individual is to ensure that their uniform is kept neat, clean and well pressed. The HFF-K is to be kept flat and clean. Boots are to be polished and in good repair; and rank insignia and other embellishments are neat, clean and in good order. CUOs, CWOFFs and CNCOs are responsible for dress standards and ensuring that any tendency towards carelessness or slovenly appearance in junior cadets is corrected. PERSONAL GROOMING MALES Hair is to be kept neatly trimmed and in a conservative style which does not interfere with the correct wearing of headdress. Sideburns are not to extend below the level where the ear lobe joins the head. They are to be neatly trimmed and of the same width throughout their length. The face is to be clean shaven; however a moustache that fully covers the upper lip and is neatly trimmed may be worn. FEMALES Hair is to be conservative in style, and neatly groomed at all times. Long hair is to be tied back in a bun and short hair may be worn out providing it does not extend below the bottom of the collar. The bulk of hair is not to interfere with the correct wearing of headdress. Only conservative and natural tones of artificial hair colours are allowed. A female member, when in uniform, may wear make-up, lipstick and nail polish provided it is

3 Page 3 of 5 conservative and applied in moderation. The only colours of lipstick and nail polish permitted are clear and moderate shades of pink. Nail polish that becomes worn or chipped must be removed or replaced. LACING CROSS LACING Cadet boots are to be crossed laced in the following manner: eyelet on one side and other end through the third eyelet on the opposite side, then passed across and down through the opposite eyelet. This alternating pattern continues to the top of the shoe. DOUBLE WINDSOR KNOT When wearing Service Dress with a long sleeve shirt, the tie is to be knotted in a Double Windsor knot as per the following diagram: The initial lace is to be horizontal across the inside of the footwear through the lowest eyelets on each side of the boot. Subsequent laces are to continue diagonally, upwards through all eyelets, to the top of the boot. BAR LACING Service Dress shoes (if issued) are to be bar laced in the following manner: The initial lace is to be horizontal across the outside of the footwear through the lowest eyelets on each side of the shoe. The tip of the tie should sit so that it is just touching the belt buckle whilst standing at attention. One end of the lace should be passed up through the second

4 Page 4 of 5 HAT FUR FELT KHAKI The HFF-K is the primary headdress for all cadets, which is worn with both SDs and DPCUs. puggaree, and placed so that it is centred with the line of the face. PEAK The peak of the HFF-K should be bashed so that the vent runs in line with the centre of the face. To bash your hat, the peak should be submerged in warm water and then moulded into the desired shape. The hat then needs a good amount of time to dry in a well ventilated area. It is not recommended to try this without first being given a demonstration. OTHER ITEMS The HFF-K is to be kept clean and properly maintained at all times. BRIM The brim is to be free of lint, threads and stains and be perfectly flat. This can be achieved by using a hat flattener or placing the hat on a flat surface with heavy-weighted objects sitting on the brim. CHINSTRAP The chinstrap is to be worn at all times. It is worn with the buckles on the left-hand side of the head. The upper buckle is to be inline with the corner of the eye, and the lower buckle in line with the corner of the lip. Stretched and cracked straps should be replaced. PUGGAREE / CAP BADGE The AAFC cap badge is to be mounted on an AFB GENERAL When wearing uniform, personnel are to ensure that personal effects such as wallets, phones, pens, glasses cases, combs, keys or similar objects are not visible, nor appear unduly bulky when carried in pockets. NECKLACES, CHAINS AND MEDIC ALERTS Visible necklaces, wristbands or chains are not permitted when in uniform. Medic Alert or other similar bracelets may be worn, with approval, on the opposite wrist to the wrist watch. Compulsory religious items may be worn if a letter in writing to the Squadron Executive Instructor has been approved. WATCHES AND RINGS Wrist watches and rings of a subdued appearance and practical design may be worn when in uniform. For females a maximum of four rings may be worn on no more than two fingers. For males one ring is able to be worn

5 Page 5 of 5 if approved by the Squadron Executive Instructor. SUNGLASSES Sunglasses may be worn during daylight hours at non-ceremonial events only. They are to be of a colour and design which is appropriate to military dress. Glasses or sunglasses are not to be worn on the top of heads, placed on top of the headwear nor hung from the uniform. EARRINGS Earrings are only to be worn by females. One earring may be worn in each earlobe. Studs are to be no more than 4mm in diameter and are to be gold, silver or clear stone. Sleepers are to be no more than 1 cm in diameter and are to be either gold or silver. FURTHER INFORMATION For detailed policies on the wearing of uniform and personal appearance, refer to the following publications: AAFC Manual of Dress This document is available in the AAFC Manual of Management (MoM) on CadetNet: