Uniforms

Wear it with pride

Being an Air Cadet means wearing an Royal Air Force-style uniform and learning how to look after it.

Parade uniforms items are provided, but cadets are normally responsible for obtaining the required shoes or boots, as well as the MTP (Green Uniform). Uniform must be kept clean, tidy and returned when a cadet leaves the organisation.

Looking after your uniform helps you develop attention to detail, responsibility and pride in your appearance. Do not worry if you have never ironed a shirt, polished shoes or shaped a beret before. We will show you what to do.

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets wear the uniform of the Royal Air Force. As an Air Cadet you need to know the different types of uniforms and how to wear them.

Each uniform is worn for different reasons. The three main types of uniform are below:

Light Blue uniform

This uniform is an Air Cadet’s most formal dress and is mainly used for formal events like public parades, events on your squadron or in your wing.

This uniform consists of:

  • Belt

  • Beret

  • Black tie

  • Brassard

  • Parade shoes

  • Trousers/skirt (with tights)

  • Wedgewood shirt (long sleeved)

This uniform will be provided but Cadets will need to sort out their own shoes. There is also the Number 2 (FULL) uniform which is the same as Number 2A uniform but also includes a jumper/jersey.

Dark Blue uniform

This uniform is an Air Cadet’s standard working dress uniform. You will usually wear this on a squadron evening for most general activities.

This uniform consists of:

  • Belt

  • Beret

  • Brassard

  • Jumper

  • Parade shoes

  • Trousers/skirt (with tights)

  • Working blue shirt

This uniform will be provided but Cadets will need to sort out their own shoes.

MTP or DPM uniform

This uniform is mainly used for fieldcraft and shooting activities but can also be used for other challenging or dirty work. It is designed to withstand a lot of activity and wear and tear.

This uniform consists of:

  • Beret

  • Boots

  • Shirt

  • Smock

  • Trousers

  • T-shirt

This uniform isn’t provided to Cadets. There are some occasions when there may be spare uniform items available so check with your local Squadron. All uniform items can be bought from local Army and Navy Stores and online, like Anchor Supplies (https://www.anchorsupplies.com/) or Uniform Stores (https://www.uniformstores.co.uk/).

On the recruitment night, a document with more information will be provided, we will help you to understand the clothing measurement locations.

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