"Re-Royalization", "Re-Britification" and the Heritage Transformation

[dapaterson]

Can you get any more bling on those epaulets?

Probably not.


But there's still lots of space on the sleeves!

 

[McG]

But there's still lots of space on the sleeves!

and across the back!

In other news, it seems former CDS, retired Gen Hillier, is a fan of this latest change.

Glad to see the Maple Leaf back in Canadian army general officer rank. I always believed any rank that included our national symbol was particularly special and I , for one, was proud and privileged to wear it. Maybe it's time that we , as a nation,  grew up, were comfortable with our own symbols and did not feel obligated to resurrect something long outdated.

https://www.facebook.com/CanadianLeadership/posts/10154117328714612

 

[Canuck_Jock]

Oh, dear how truly sad. Liberal-conservative culture wars are back again, when will it stop.  So are we back to our Loblaws-esque Army rank insignia again? Please someone say April Fool!

Here's a cunning plan, let's split the difference between being overtly and politically Canadian and having a bit of style on our uniforms. We should take the star of the Order of Canada and make it our 'pip'. Classy, stylish and Canadian. Questions? Done.

The point to hammer home is that the pip/crown style of rank, even if not literally consisting of a crown for republics, is by far the most common type of commissioned military rank style in the world. Even many non-Commonwealth country have adopted it.

 

[The Bread Guy]

and across the back!

Not to mention the front, as is done in other militaries ...

 

[George Wallace]

......  If we needed to change two years ago, we already had the maple leaf as a pip and that would have been a better choice then. 

Agree 100%.  In fact it would not have required any change at all.............BUT.....Someone would not have had a box checked off on their PER.  >

 

[The Bread Guy]

Agree 100%.  In fact it would not have required any change at all.............BUT.....Someone would not have had a box checked off on their PER.  >

And this way, either two people get the PER box checked, or the same person gets it checked twice  >

 

[McG]

Army news release: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1045579

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

I guess it was "bling envy".

The Army general officers just didn't look as "blingy" as their other elements brethren, particularly the RCAF.

At least they split the difference (Navy: you wear either the sleeves rings OR the shoulder boards, but not both / Air Force: the generals had to wear both the epaulets and the sleeves rings): They wear only the epaulets and the single old style wide band of general officers (without extra rings a-la-Air Force.

 

[cavalryman]

We can't get boots for the troops sorted, but I'm glad we gave our surfeit of GOs  the  African Dictator look. :facepalm:

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Actually, as I look closer to General Vance's pics, I can see that what they did is remove the pip, move the crossed swords up to its location, then added the four maple leaves. Because the "new" Army ranks for generals only had three elements, the crossed swords and the crowns were made larger than the RCN/RCAF ones for the generals and admirals that retained the maple leaves motif, and made into separate elements. The RCAF and RCN general/admiral officers have the crossed swords and crown embedded together into a single element and made smaller than the separate army ones. As a result, their epaulets don't look as "busy/blinged" as General Vance's ones.

I hope this is temporary, as the change just went into effect, and that they will revert to a top element that is the same size as their RCN/RCAF counterparts as soon as they can procure a combined smaller element. What he is wearing now just looks plain goofy.

 

[Journeyman]

"It is easier for the mediocre intelligence to
become an authority on buttons than on tactics"

Sir Basil Liddell Hart
Thoughts on War
1944

 

[jollyjacktar]

That must be why I've always thought the dress police were morons.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Journeyman: Did you just call me mediocre ?

Them's fighting words. Sir. I will have satisfaction!

:knights:

 

[Old Sweat]

"It is easier for the mediocre intelligence to
become an authority on buttons than on tactics"

Sir Basil Liddell Hart
Thoughts on War
1944

Truthful, but also obvious. Dress is something that can be reduced to absolutes with clear choices, and is easy to check on and criticize. Tactics and all that goes with it requires some discretion, a combination of deductive and subjective reasoning and the strength of character to make a decision without all the facts.

 

[Kirkhill]

Quick question: Are Greatcoats on or off?

 

[jollyjacktar]

Tis summer dress.

 

[Old Sweat]

Tis summer dress.

That wouldn't have stopped the old army!

 

[Journeyman]

Journeyman: Did you just call me mediocre ?

It was directed towards NDHQ, but who am I to limit it's scope. 

 

[George Wallace]

.................................... What he is wearing now just looks plain goofy.

Or looks just plain Third World Military.  [

Right cavalryman?

We can't get boots for the troops sorted, but I'm glad we gave our surfeit of GOs  the  African Dictator look. :facepalm:

 

[Snakedoc]

Just curious but according to this article:


'The Conservatives also ordered the removal of gold braid bands on officers’ tunic cuffs. The army is reversing that decision.
“The sleeve braid will be restored to same braid as before 2013,” Magill said.'

Are they just referring to General officers getting the thick gold braid back on their tunics or all other officers as well?




[Edit to remove link...see following post.]