Uniform Types

All Staff and Cadets wear uniforms based on those worn by the regular Royal Air Force. As a Cadet, you will be issued with several uniforms. The order of dress will very much depend on the activity that is taking place. 
Please note: some of the uniforms listed below are not issued to Cadets; they are simply included to give you an understanding of the uniforms worn within the RAFAC. 
No. 1 Service Dress (No. 1 SD)
No. 1 Service Dress uniform consists of:
  • No. 1 SD Airman/woman hat (Cadets in the ATC wear the ATC cap badge/Cadets in the CCF wear the RAF cap badge)
  • No. 1 SD Jacket
  • Gloves (black for SNCO's and brown for WO's)
  • Long-sleeved Wedgewood shirt
  • Black tie
  • Trousers (female Cadets are entitled to wear skirts (with tights) or trousers)
  • Parade shoes
The No. 1 SD uniform is worn for formal events and parades, such as Remembrance Parades. Worn by Officers and Staff WO/SNCO's; select Cadets may be given permission to wear No.1 uniform. 
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No. 1 SD, Male, Cdt Sgt
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No. 1 SD, Female, Cdt Sgt
No. 2 (Full) Service Working Dress (No. 2 (Full) SD) (Cadets and CFAV's)
Uniform:
  • Beret
  • Jumper
  • Brassard (and rank slides/lanyard where appropriate)
  • Long-sleeved Wedgewood shirt
  • Black tie
  • Belt
  • Trousers/skirt (with tights)
  • Parade shoes
Points to Note: 
  • Brassard (and rank slides/lanyard where appropriate) are always on the outside of the jumper
  • The tie should have a Windsor knot
  • Belts are worn underneath the jumper
  • White belts may be worn, when directed, outside the jumper
  • Female Cadets can choose between skirts or slacks
  • If tights are worn, they should be 15 Denier (nearly black)
  • If trousers are worn, black socks should be worn
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No. 2 SD, Male, Cdt Sgt (with ceremonial belt)
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No. 2 SD, Male, Cdt Sgt
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No. 2 SD, Female, Cdt Sgt
No. 2A Service Working Dress (No. 2A SD) (Cadets and CFAV's)
Uniform:
  • Beret
  • Brassard (and rank slides/lanyard where appropriate)
  • Long-sleeved Wedgewood shirt
  • Black tie
  • Belt
  • Trousers/skirt (with tights)
  • Parade shoes
Points to Note: 
  • The tie should have a Windsor knot
  • Stable belts or standard issue grey belts should be worn
  • White belts may be worn, when directed
  • Female Cadets can choose between skirts or slacks
  • If tights are worn, they should be 15 Denier (nearly black)
  • If trousers are worn, black socks should be worn
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No. 2A SD, Male, Cdt Sgt (with RAF stable belt)
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No. 2A SD, Male, Cdt Sgt (with ceremonial belt)
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No. 2A SD, Male, Cdt Sgt (with standard belt)
No. 2B Service Working Dress (No. 2B SD) (CFAV's only)
No. 2B Service Working Dress consists of:
  • Peak hat, beret or side cap
  • Short-sleeved Wedgewood shirt
  • Trousers (female staff are entitled to wear skirts (with tights) or trousers)
  • Parade shoes
Uniform Notes:
  • A tie is never worn with this uniform
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No. 2B SD, Male, Adult Sgt (with peak cap and RAF stable belt)
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No. 2B SD, Male, Adult Sgt (with peak cap and standard belt)
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No. 2B SD, Male, Adult Sgt (with beret and RAF stable belt)
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No. 2B SD, Male, Adult Sgt (with beret and standard belt)
No. 2C Service Working Dress (No. 2C SD) (Cadets only)
Uniform:
  • Beret
  • Jumper
  • Brassard (and rank slides/lanyard where appropriate)
  • Working Blues shirt
  • Belt
  • Trousers/skirt (with tights)
  • Parade shoes
Points to Note: 
  • Brassard (and rank slides/lanyard where appropriate) are always on the outside of the jumper
  • Jumpers may be worn with this uniform
  • Sleeves can be rolled up or down 
  • Belts are worn underneath the jumper
  • Female Cadets can choose between skirts or slacks
  • If tights are worn, they should be 15 Denier (nearly black)
  • If trousers are worn, black socks should be worn
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No. 2C SD, Male, Cdt Sgt (with RAF stable belt)
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No. 2C SD, Male, Cdt Sgt (with standard belt)
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No. 2C SD, Female, Cdt Sgt (with jumper)
No. 3 Service Dress - Operational (No. 3 SD) (Cadets and CFAV's)
Uniform:
  • Beret
  • Smock
  • Shirt
  • T-shirt
  • Trousers
  • Boots
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MTP (illustrations not available in MTP)
Points to Note: 
  • T-shirt colour should match/be similar to the MTP/DPM colours, depending on the style worn
  • Stable belts may be worn with this uniform, except when ‘in the field’
  • Either MTP (Multi-Terrain Pattern - light green) or DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material – dark green) may be worn
    • PCS or CS95 MTP may be worn
  • Shirt sleeves can be worn up or down (always down in the field)
  • Air Cadet patch is to be worn on the right arm
  • Black boots can be worn with MTP or DPM
  • Brown boots may only be worn with MTP
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No. 3 SD (short sleeved), Male, Cdt Cpl (with RAF stable belt)
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No. 3 SD (short sleeved), Male, Cdt Cpl (with olive green belt)
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No. 3 SD (short sleeved), Female, Cdt Sgt (with RAF stable belt)
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No. 3 SD (short sleeved), Female, Cdt Sgt (with olive green belt)
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No. 3 SD (long sleeved), Male, Cdt Cpl (with RAF stable belt)
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No. 3 SD (long sleeved), Male, Cdt Cpl (with olive green belt)
No. 3A Service Dress - Public Military Engagement (No. 3A SD) (Cadets and CFAV's)
Uniform:
  • Headdress (Beret or Baseball hat)
  • Shirt (polo or t-shirt style)
  • Belt
  • Trousers
  •  Boots
  • Smock
Points to Note:
  • Permission from Region HQ must be obtained before this uniform is worn. ​
  • Shirts (polo or t-shirt style) and baseball hats must confirm to the colour, logo and design specifications
  • During inclement weather, a smock with rank insignia may be worn but all personnel are to be attired in the same fashion. Berets are to be worn with outer wear.

Awaiting image illustration, but photos copied from AP1358C (V3.0, Dec18), Page 61:

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No. 3A (PME) - Female WO RAFAC
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No. 3A (PME) - Female Cadet
No. 4 Service Dress - Mess Dress (No. 4 SD) (Cadets and CFAV's)
Uniform:
  • No. 1 SD jacket (Staff only)
  • Marcella white shirt 
  • Black bow tie
  • Trousers (female Cadets are entitled to wear skirts (with tights) or trousers
  • Parade shoes
Points to Note: ​
  • No. 4 SD uniform is worn for formal evening events
  • Stable belts can be worn with this uniform
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No. 4 SD, Male, Adult Sgt
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No. 4 SD, Male, Cdt
No. 14 Dress (Cadets and CFAV's)
No. 14 Dress consists of:
  • Flight suit
  • T-shirt
  • Beret
  • Boots
  • Flight suit patches (inc. name badges)
Points to Note:
  • No. 14 Dress is the flying clothing worn by pilots, instructors (including Flight Staff Cadets) and Cadets at AEF/VGS
  • Qualified Aerospace Instructor cadets are also authorised to wear this uniform
  • Typically, the No. 2C SD or No. 3 SD is worn underneath the No. 14 Dress when worn by Cadets for AEF/VGS. When worn by instructors/staff, a pair of trousers and an appropriate t-shirt is usually worn
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No. 14, Male, Cdt Sgt (no badges)
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No. 14, Male, Cdt Sgt (with badges)
Coveralls (Not routinely issued to Cadets)
Coveralls are usually worn by new Cadets that have not been given their uniforms yet, or when blue uniforms have to be covered up
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Coveralls, Male, Cdt
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Coveralls, Female, Cdt
Text adapted from AP1358C V3.0 Dec 18 - Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2018
Disclaimer - the information on this page was correct at the time of writing. Whilst the information is based on AP1358C, I have added in a few extra items of information
© Air Cadet 101 - Harry Briggs