Dress Regulations
Getting initial uniform issued/exchanged
Once a membership application has been processed and a new recruit is entered into our records, they are directed to supply staff to be measured for a uniform.
UNIFORM REQUEST LINK: If you are having any uniform issues (missing kit, sizing, ripped uniform, etc), please use this link to submit a request to the Supply Officer. They will work on getting you the pieces you need for the following Wednesday night.
basic scale of issue for cadets
Service Dress (C1-C3)
Beret, rifle green with Royal Canadian Army Cadets (RCAC) cap badge
Also normally worn with FTU.
Tunic, Service Dress
Trousers, Service Dress
Shirt, short sleeves (aka “CF shirt”)
Necktie
Wool socks
Boots, ankle (aka “parade boots”)
Parka, with outer shell and fleece liner
Toque, RCAC
Shoulder flashes
Rank badges/slip-ons
Field Training Uniform (FTU) - C5
T-shirt, olive green
Tunic, FTU
Trousers, FTU
Tilley hat (issued seasonally)
Boots, FTU
Additional Information
Uniform components may either be issued new, or from existing stock.
All issued items must be returned upon termination of membership except for t-shirts, headwear, and socks.
Cadets should communicate with their senior cadets to determine if they are missing any kit.
Items will be exchanged only on a one-for-one basis.
An item that no longer fits must first be washed and returned before a new item is issued. Please talk to Supply Staff on Wednesdays if you require an exchange.
Uniform Care
Although uniforms are issued free of charge, cadets are responsible for possessing any necessary items for uniform care/maintenance. At a minimum, cadets should have:
Boot polishing kit (recommended brands: Kiwi or Moneysworth & Best):
Black shoe polish
Polishing cloth
Shoe brush (horsehair)
Toothbrush (for blackening welts of boots)
Optional: applicator brush
Iron, ironing board, and cloth (to avoid burning uniform fabric, e.g. an old pillowcase)
Sewing kit:
Needles
Safety pins, to hold badges in place while sewing
Black OR dark green thread for tunic badges
Recommended: Mint green OR white thread for re-attaching CF shirt buttons, in case they fall off
References (UPDATEs COMING SOON)
The following guides will help cadets ensure they follow appropriate dress regulations.
Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Dress Instructions
The webpage version can be found here.
Figures below can be found in the Dress Instructions for quick reference.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Cadets’ appearance should conform to the guidelines described here.
Note: as of 06 Sep 2022 all dress-related gender references are no longer in effect. This includes but is not limited to, all gender references found within the descriptions of appropriate hair, jewellery, and body adornment standards. All personal appearance guidelines apply to any cadet regardless of gender.
Hair
Hair shall not prevent the proper wear of a military headdress or protective equipment.
Hair must be worn so that without a headdress the cadet’s face is visible.
Full or partial shaving of hair on the head is permitted.
Colouring of hair is permitted.
The wearing of wigs, dreadlocks, or hair extensions is permitted.
Long hair is permitted but must be secured accordingly when extending below the top/ridge of the shoulder in such a manner to prevent hair from covering the face. Acceptable accessories to secure hair include but are not limited to, clips, barrettes, bobby pins, fabric elastics, elastic bands, and hair nets.
All styles of facial hair and sideburns are authorized.
TIE - Windsor knot
BOOT LACING
Parade boot lacing tutorial:
BADGE PLACEMENT
LEFT SLEEVE
right sleeve
Notes:
Need some help on how to sew? Check out this video from the air cadets! Note that air cadet badges are sewn in different places compared to army cadet badges. You will need dark green or black thread. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAjCUqSY-J4
Cadet Corps shoulder flashes should be sewn at the very top of the sleeves, with the top edges at the seams.
RCAC badges should be sewn so that the bottom edges are 12 cm from the top of the sleeves.
On your left sleeve, you display badges that indicate specific qualifications:
Marksmanship qualification badges are placed 6 cm from the bottom of the sleeve.
For the first three levels, the numeral badge is placed at 6 cm and the crossed rifles are positioned 0.5 cm above the numeral badge
Physical fitness, first aid, and music badges are sewn in a line starting at 20 cm from the bottom, then 1 cm above each other. If you have two or more of these badges, fitness badge should be on the bottom, followed by first aid, then music.
On your right sleeve, you display badges associated with your years of experience in the cadet program:
Gdsm, Cpl, MCpl, and Sgt rank badges should be sewn so that the top-most edge of the badge is 1 cm below the RCAC badge.
CSgt, MWO, and CWO rank badges are sewn 20 cm from the bottom of the sleeve.
Star level badges are sewn 6 cm from the bottom of the sleeve.
Any camp badges are sewn 1 cm above your star level badge.