CS95 insignia- info requested

[badjez]

Just prior to the introduction of the Combat Soldier 95 uniforms I believe a DCI was published covering the wearing of cloth badges on the new uniform.
Can anyone please let me have sight of this document, or any other in a similar vein?

Many thanks.

Stephen.

[Alan O]

Stephen

I can't help with a DCI but having been involved in the 1993 trials of the initial prototype design the direction was quite clear - no badges at all: not even name tapes. The wearing of any badges on the smocks was especially frowned upon because of the somewhat spurious reason that the stitching holes affected its wind and water repellent properties. These trials were done in selected Field Army units in the summer of 1993 and saw minor changes made to the final design.

The wearing of name tapes was quite contentious at the time and did not last long before they started appearing on the shirts all the same and certainly by the time that they uniforms were on general issue, (priority went to units on deployment to the Balkans in 1995/6 which was when many units saw the first issue), badges were the norm.

Alan

[grey_green_acorn]

Stephen,
My unit was issued with CS95 in Northern Ireland in (IIRC) early 1996. I do not recall seeing a DCI on the subject but Army Flying badges and Parachute Wings were definitely worn. At that time Union Flags were not already sewn on and there were few TRFs and FBs about. Of course all rank was to be worn on the chest epaulette.

Tim

[badjez]

My research so far has turned up the following, if it can be added to I would appreciate it:

07.03.95. At the 290th Meeting of the ADC the Secretary spoke on the forthcoming publication of a DCI covering the wearing of cloth badges on the new range of combat clothing. When introduced, the Combat Soldier 95 [CS95] had no shoulder epaulettes, only a single cloth tab in the centre of the chest. Upon these were worn slip-on rank insignia.

29.04.97. At the 296th Meeting of the ADC it was decided (D3829) that further investigation was needed on the wearing of brassards with CS95 uniforms.

23.01.98. At the 299th Meeting of the ADC, the Committee decided (D3867) that proposed changes to allow the wearing of rank badges on shoulders by all ranks would not be adopted.

22.10.00. At the 308th Meeting of the ADC: The Committee discussed at length the wearing of badges on No 8 Dress (CS95). Concern was expressed over the proliferation of badges, and it was agreed that a degree of discipline was now required. The need to ensure that only badges that had a genuine utility or function were worn was viewed as a key factor. The views of the Committee were considered by the Chairman, who felt that a formal approach to CGS on this whole matter might be required. Meanwhile, a moratorium was to be imposed on all badges worn on No 8 Dress: badges which had already been approved, or were in current use pending ADC approval, could continue to be worn, but newly proposed badges may not be worn until the results of the Review were known.
Qualification Badges were not to be worn on No 8 Dress, as per Mat Regs Vol 3 Pam 15 (quoting "combat clothing"), except for Parachute [Redacted-SAS?] wings [redacted], the Commando dagger on the left arm below the formation badge and the EOD/ATO badges worn on the lower left arm only.
If other qualification badges were being worn, they had to be removed.
Rank Badges: because of the continuing problem of differentiating between the WO2 and officer crowns, the Committee decided (3942) that all WO class and Drum Major badges were to be moved from the front rank slide to the pre-CS 95 position of the lower right arm, with wrist badges being worn for the No 8 light jacket.

06.03.01. At the 309th Meeting of the ADC concern was noted over the decision by ADG to move WO badges to the right forearm of No8 Dress, and the resulting confusion. It was decided (D3943) that all Arms and Services should ‘stand fast’ where they were at the moment (i.e. those who had already changed to the new arrangements should not revert, whils those who had yet to change should not yet do so) until a decision was reached on the wider issue of what badges could be worn on No8 Dress.
In view of the continuing this uncertainty, the Chairman proposed, and the Committee agreed, that an overarching paper should be developed that would examine the wearing of all badges on No 8 Dress: rank, formation, TRFs, LZ flashes, employment and qualification badges.
The draft paper would be staffed through Commands and the Arms and Service Directors in time for it to be studied at the next ADC meeting in July, before its passage upwards to CGS.

14.01.01. ADG wrote to all Arms and Services Directors apologising for the change of direction, and any confusion that had arisen over recent alterations to the manner in which WO and Drume Majors wore their rank badges.

02.07.01. At the 310th Meeting of the ADC the DAG's draft paper Badges on No 8 Dress Paper was discussed in detail, and it was agreed that a revised version was to be disseminated for views and comment to all Arms and Service Directors, and HQs LAND, HQNI and PJHQ. Once returns had been collated the paper would again be discussed at the next ADC meeting before being staffed upwards through AG.

05.11.01. At the 311th Meeting of the ADC regarding the Badges on No 8 Dress Paper the response to the draft paper from Commands and Arm/Service Directors was discussed by the Committee, in particular the comments on formation and qualification badges, and a duly amended paper was to be submitted to CGS.

25.02.02. At the 312th Meeting of the ADC the Committee agreed the finalised draft of the Badges on No 8 Dress Paper, which DAG would submit to AG for clearance up to CGS. AcSM highlighted the fact that the general consensus from RSMs was that the paper, and its preferred options, were liked, in particular the option of having a TRF for all on the right arm, a standard rank slide on the chest and the Union Emblem for all displayed on the upper left arm of both field and light jackets.

05.06.02. D/AG/2717/02: DAG promulgated directions issued by CGS governing the wearing of badges on No8 Dress, as summarised:
a) The Union Emblem would be worn on the left arm of field and light jackets, positioned 5cm below the shoulder seam (except in Northern Ireland).
b) A Formation Badge, no bigger than 6x6cm would also be worn on the left arm, with the badge centred 10cm from the shoulder seam.
c) Regt and Corps TRF, the overall dimensions which were not to exceed 6x6cm, would be worn on the right arm, the badge centred 12cm from the shoulder seam. These could be only worn on No8 and No5 Dress.

[grey_green_acorn]

Stephen,
Thank you and excellent information. Interesting that it took nearly five years before the ADC started to "grip" the issue. I last wore CS95 in Nortern Ireland in December 1999 so much of the direction came along later. At least CS95 avoided the "sleeves up/down and jacket tucked in" debates that the introduction of MTP PCS CU generated!

Tim