UNIFORM MAINTENANCE
*VIDEO COMING SOON*
Beret:
All cadets will wear an issued beret while in uniform. You wear your beret evenly on your head. The leather sweatband is worn 2.5cm (about the width of two fingers) above your eyebrow. The crown of the beret is to be pulled onwards to the right and rear. Be sure your cap badge is centred over your left eye. Draw strings are to be tucked inside the gap of the sweatband. If your hair hangs down your forehead you should be sure to tuck it under your beret when in uniform.
You will have to form your beret, ask your corporal or master corporal how to do this. At first you will be issued a cloth cap badge that must be sewn over the hardened cardboard surface in the front of the beret. Match the thread to the colour of the badge background. Do not glue the badge, it will ruin the beret when you get your silver cap badge.
Top Tip:
Try showering with your beret on to make forming it easier. If you're still having difficulties, record the size of your beret and cut out the liner.
Jewellery:
The only jewellery that may be worn in uniform shall be a wristwatch, a medical alert bracelet and a maximum of two rings (not costume jewellery). Female cadets may wear a single pair of small studs. Male cadets are not authorized to wear earrings. Cadets in uniform shall not wear visible body piercings; including tongue piercings.
Name Tag:
To be worn on the right breast pocket and centred. Your first name tag will be issued free of charge, but if you lose it you are responsible for replacing it (approx. $3-$5).
Shirt:
Is to be kept neat and clean at all times. There is a single crease in each sleeve from the centre of the epaulette to the edge.
Tunic:
Should be wrinkle free; no creases. De-lint your tunic before every use.
Belt:
To be centred. Any extra material will be doubled back and tucked in out of sight.
Socks:
Wool grey socks are supplied and are to be worn unless you are allergic to wool.
Pants:
Pants: are to be clean and neat. On the front of your pants a single crease will run straight from the belt loop on either side of the fly to the bottom of each pant leg. On the back of your pants a single crease will run from the centre belt loop to the bottom of each pant leg. Creases are to be sharp and distinct – no “railroad tracks” caused by multiple creases.
Tie:
Can be tied in two ways: Double Windsor Knot of Four-In-Hand Knot. The Double Windsor Knot is preferred. Refer to diagram.
Top Tip:
When ironing your tunic and pants you should use a pressing cloth, which may be a tea towel, pillowcase or other piece of cloth or open brown paper bag. The pressing cloth will prevent your pants and tunic from becoming shiny due to ironing. The creases in your pants will sharpen with the use of a moist pressing cloth or by wetting the garment itself.
Boots:
Are to be polished and kept clean of dust. Kiwi polish (black) and kiwi cloth are recommended. First remove dust and dirt from the boot with a soft damp cloth (do not use this cloth for polishing). Use an old toothbrush to remove dirt from the welts (soles/rim) and then use the toothbrush with polish to blacken the welts. Apply a moderate amount of polish to the area of the boot you will polish first. Use a polish cloth wrapped around your index finger and dampen with water. You should work one section of your boot at any time. Apply the polish in a circular motion- start with larger circles to cover the area and then smaller circles as the polish works in to the boot. Continue with the circular motion until you can no longer see the circles formed by the polish. Boots are to be laced using the “Straight Across/Straight Bar Method”. (Refer to diagram)
