RCAF returns to traditional ranks

[Bill A]

Not sure if this has been discussed, as the changes to the army rank system has. The Royal Canadian Air Force is also returning to the traditional pre-unification rank structure. https://www.facebook.com/rcaf1924/ph...type=1&theater

[edstorey]

There have been rumours circulating about this change taking place, I have not seen an official message announcing this yet.

As well, apparently there are plans for the Army to revert from rifle green DEUs to khaki.

[Bill A]

Return to a khaki coloured uniform brings it full circle.
If that change materializes, I wonder if CF kit will become collectable? A lot of it around, but there were some trial/experimental bits that are already hard to find.

[Michael Dorosh]

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/new-royal-c...iled-1.2017526

The Royal Canadian Air Force unveiled its new uniform Sunday, a move that's supposed to bring the force closer to its distinguished history and traditions.

The new uniform, complete with small changes including the move from gold to pearl-grey buttons and details, was launched at the annual Battle of Britain ceremony at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Read more: http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/new-royal-c...#ixzz3Dzp3VeS4

Great news as far as I am concerned. The yellow badges were not nearly as attractive as the pearl-grey will be.

One rank will be changing, despite initial reports the RCAF would return to British-style ranks. Privates will now be known as Aviators, a gender-neutral term that will be identified by a single stich propeller. One RCAF official told CTV News that changing all the ranks would be too complicated and confusing.

Seems like a reasonable compromise to me.

[Michael Dorosh]

Here is the CF Backgrounder:



http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=886249

New Uniform for the Royal Canadian Air Force

The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) new uniform respects the contributions and sacrifices of airmen and airwomen who served – and continue to serve – with pride and professionalism.

Main aspects of the new uniform are drawn from pre-unification rank insignia maintaining the modern elements and terminology familiar to serving members. The insignia for most ranks will be recognizable as the symbols that air force personnel have worn for nearly half a century.

Rank names, with the exception of “Private,” will remain the same.

The RCAF’s shoulder titles and uniform buttons will also be updated to harmonize with the new rank insignia.

RCAF Organizational Structure

There will be no changes to RCAF organizational structures or the names of subordinate headquarters and organizations.

Non-Commissioned Members

The rank names and insignia for non-commissioned members will remain the same, with the exception of “Private.” The Canadian maple leaf, which air force personnel have worn with pride for 46 years, will continue to be displayed on the rank insignia of Master Corporals, Sergeants, and general officers, and Chief Warrant Officers’ insignia will continue to display the Canadian coat of arms.

The rank insignia will now be pearl-grey, similar to the historic colour of non-commissioned members’ rank insignia.

Only one rank name will change: “Private” will become “Aviator.” This new, gender-neutral rank, which is almost identical in both official languages, reflects the historical French rank of aviateur (aviator) which in English was aircraftman or aircraftwoman. The rank insignia for “Aviator” will be a pearl-grey propeller worn on the uniform sleeve, which is a return to the historical insignia for this rank.
Officers and General Officers

All officers will retain current rank names, similar to the ranks used in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War.

Officers rank insignia colour will be pearl-grey – the same historic colour as the non-commissioned members’ rank insignia. In the past, the officers wore blue rank insignia and the non-commissioned members wore pearl-grey; the change reflects the RCAF’s emphasis on one team – one mission.

In the pre-unification era, RCAF general officers only wore rank insignia on their tunic sleeves, not on their shoulders. The new design will retain the insignia currently embroidered on tunic shoulder straps/shoulder slip-ons and display the Canadian maple leaf.

The design of the general officers’ sleeve insignia, located near the cuff of the tunic, will be modified to echo the design of the historical sleeve insignia for general officers and will be edged in black, similar to the historical sleeve insignia.

The gold piping (embroidery) on the general officers’ wedge cap will be replaced with pearl-grey piping.

National Badges

The new insignia will also include colour harmonization of national badges to be worn at the top of the tunic sleeve. These curved badges will comprise the RCAF’s eagle and the word “CANADA” for non-commissioned members and the word “CANADA” for officers and Chief Warrant Officers. The style will be similar to the modern national badges, but will be created in the new pearl-grey colour. The word CANADA which appears on dress shirt slip-ons and on certain garments such as topcoats will also be embroidered in pearl-grey.

Buttons

To match the new pearl-grey rank insignia, the RCAF will also receive new silver-coloured buttons. The design will be unchanged from the current button design and include the Crown, RCAF eagle and the word “CANADA.”

Royal Canadian Air Force Badge

The badge of the RCAF, which recalls the pre-unification RCAF badge showing an eagle with its wings outstretched, was created following the restoration of the historical name “Royal Canadian Air Force” in 2012. This will remain unchanged as the official badge of the RCAF.

The motto will remain “Sic Itur Ad Astra” – Such is the pathway to the stars – which has been the air force’s motto since 1975. This is the motto adopted by the very first Canadian Air Force, which was first established in 1920.

Conclusion

The melding of elements of both historical and modern rank insignia and terminology strengthens the RCAF’s links to its history and heritage while honouring all those who have served throughout the Royal Canadian Air Force’s history.

[David Tremain]

So, just to be clear, the colour of the uniform stays the same and not blue-grey like the old one? And ranks with not be Squadron leader instead of Major etc?
David

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally Posted by Bill A

If that change materializes, I wonder if CF kit will become collectable? A lot of it around, but there were some trial/experimental bits that are already hard to find.

The CF uniform is already collectible, as far as I am concerned, and a different and distinct uniform from the DEU.

I think if there was a really good reference book on the full range of CF uniforms, their value might increase even more.

It was interesting to see the attention paid to East German uniforms after reunification, but I wonder if that wasn't because of their resemblance to Wehrmacht era uniforms. The material was often shoddy, but of course the price for collectors was always right as tons of the stuff flooded the markets. And for what it was, the NVA (as the East German Army was known) had a not unattractive set of dress and field uniforms.

I don't know what the legacy of the CF will be in the fullness of time, but if one can disassociate the uniforms from some of the truly awful photographs of men in dire need of a haircut and neckshave, history may judge them more kindly than the memories of those who wore them.

[shootemup]

To the complaint RE: new uniforms, but no new boots, following that logic, why have dress uniforms at all? There is a reason for the buttons and bows, and if you can't handle it, maybe you are in the wrong line of work?

However, change is inevitable. History repeats itself. And the collectors rejoice...for there are "new worlds to conquer".

My only thought is, they should have had a pearl grey aiguillette made up to match the new rank, badges and titles, and buttons, instead of the gold.

[servicepub]

There is little additional cost to this new uniform. The material is a medium weight which will replace the current heavy weight. Once that decision was made then it was simple to say that, as we are introducing a new material then let's change the colour. This version of blue is darker than the CF DEU blue but not quite as dark as the pre-unification RCAF blue.
If the Army goes to khaki it will be when they introduce a medium-weight cloth also.
C

[ddaydodger]

Originally Posted by shootemup

To the complaint RE: new uniforms, but no new boots, following that logic, why have dress uniforms at all? There is a reason for the buttons and bows, and if you can't handle it, maybe you are in the wrong line of work?

However, change is inevitable. History repeats itself. And the collectors rejoice...for there are "new worlds to conquer".

My only thought is, they should have had a pearl grey aiguillette made up to match the new rank, badges and titles, and buttons, instead of the gold.

Wrong line of work- probably, but I have been at it for 35 years or so, so I may stick with it. And all I see is troops suffer, hurt and forced to spend their hard earned money on essential kit just so a few very vocal people can have new dress uniforms/ badges/ pips etc. I am a big fan of change- useful change, and I have a hard time supporting these kind of decisions when army courses are being ordered to be cut to save money. I wear my dress uniform on average 3 times a year- Nov 11th, the Christmas Dinner and maybe a parade in the summer. I get more use out of my mess kit- perhaps we would be better off following the British Army idea of a one time grant for mess kit on promotion to Sgt/ PO2?
Collectors rejoice? How many collectors do you know collect CFs? or DEU?
Little cost? I wonder what it will cost to produce a new dress manual? Or posters with the new rank structure? I just pulled down 15 "old" ones around my office. How many trees will we kill this time? Every Army officer was just given a new tunic- $153.82 x how many army officers? Every new tunic comes with army buttons which go straight into the garbage because we wear regimental buttons- what a waste!! I was just given new PT kit because it HAD to have the new 3 Div badges. I've worn it once. I didn't pay for it, the money had to come from somewhere? $100/ person for at least 200 people, probably more. That's a lot of money that could have been better spent. (Yes I know where the money came from.)
Rant ends!!