Query on SSgt insignia

[jdkoch]

Hello all, this is going to seem a strange question.

I have been cast as SSgt "Froggy" LeSueur in the play 'The Foreigner', and I need some advice on the proper insignia. Froggy is a British army demolitions expert who is visiting a US army base in Georgia to demonstrate to the young recruits how to "blow things up". The story takes place in the near past; 80's maybe early 90's.

I know from some online research that the uniform would be DPM and that the SSgt insignia is a crown over 3 down-pointing chevrons, but there appear to be a few different types of insignia and I don't know which is right for field wear, nor exactly where they should go. Should I use the sew-on kind? Slides?

Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks!

[jeep]

JD
SSgt rank badge as worn on DPM combat kit of the 80's.

[jdkoch]

That looks like what I need. Any idea where to get one?

Is there a special demolitions insignia? I think the US army uses one, but Brit's might not.

Thanks,
jdkoch

[jdkoch]

The next question is what color should SSgt LeSueur's Beret be and what insignia should be on it?

I'm sorry to ask all these questions of you all, but 1) I've never been in the military but for a short time in the AFROTC in college, and 2) I'm a Yank, so I didn't grow up seeing images of British soldiers in magazines and on BBC.

That being said I want to get this as right as I can.

Thanks,
jdkoch

[Charlie585]

JD,

You could do a lot worse than to get yourself kitted out as a Royal Engineer EOD specialist. They invented the game of bomb disposal.

In addition to the rank shown above you will need a cloth grenade to be worn above the rank.

Also an EOD arm badge. The headdress is a dark blue beret and RE Queens crown cap badge.

These items are all available at minimal expense.

I will try to post you some links to what you need later this evening if you like.

REgards

Ry

[ebro]

EOD Badges.jpgThere were two EOD units:
Royal Engineers and Royal Army Ordance Corps.
Either cap badge would be right for 1980's
Eddie

[jdkoch]

Thanks, Charlie 585, I would like that.

Ive just found the information on the Royal Engineers, but of course they don't directly show what all insignia goes on the uniform, nor how to place them. Any help on getting it right is appreciated.

Maybe once I get all the parts of the uniform, I will photo myself and post it for critical review. British soldiers are rather thin on the ground here in central Pennsylvania.

Thanks,
jdkoch