Originally Posted by spaz

Agreed, if I saw a cadet detachment and some had name tags but others didn't I'd go fucking mental. Windmilling into the ranks like a squaddie trying to fight his way out of a Greek brothel. If I got near the AI I'd properly put the nut on them, before hissing through gritted teeth, that their shower of cunts were laying ginger wheelspins all over the country that my dead grandfather fought for.

I'm glad, these kids of today just don't listen to a good old fashioned bollocking, sometimes handing them over to a window licker having an episode is the best way.

As a training organisation, I really think all ACF personnel should be name tagged up, and this needn't be expensive either. I found a company that will do 2 tapes, velcro hooked, and 4 velcro loop strips for less than £5. Most cadets were keen on this, and even the det could chip in to bring the cost down further. I'm still thinking about going ahead with this but with camp now out of the way, it's not urgent. The latest pattern of jacket and future PCS has velcro loop ('touch and close') panels, so soon we will only need a single name tape per cadet/AI.

But why not make your own?

When I train at Cty or Coy level, I rarely work with my own det's cadets but cadets I do not know. This is policy to prevent favouritism or prejudice, I believe. My platoon or section will be wearing an OG sniper tape strip above the left upper pocket, with their name in black marker pen. It can be removed and doesn't damage the jackets. By the end of the course, I will know everybody's names, and that helps with writing pen portraits or course reports.

As for the child protection issue, I think that's a bit of a cadet force myth. How could child protection be compromised by a name tape? Or more pointedly, how could child protection be enhanced with the use of nametapes? It can certainly avoid confusion, which is never absent for long at any ACF gathering I've been to!

If nothing else it reduces the chance of getting the kit nicked. Most cadets would not go to the effort of unpicking the stitching. My lot all have it at their own expense and it has killed stone dead all the nicking of combat jackets and shirts at camp and weekends

Originally Posted by haroldhill

If nothing else it reduces the chance of getting the kit nicked. Most cadets would not go to the effort of unpicking the stitching. My lot all have it at their own expense and it has killed stone dead all the nicking of combat jackets and shirts at camp and weekends

True. I feel the same way about berets. If they paid for them, they wouldn't lose them so easily, or at all. As for combat jackets I tell them they must write their names in them in an inconspicuous spot, like under a pocket flap, not just on the easily ripped out label.

But sooner or later a cadet will tell me he can't find his smock.

'Did you write your name in it?'
'.....No'
'What size is it?'
'Dunno'

Then I take the piss out of their jackness.

'So, what colour is it? What does it look like? Now do you see why I told you to write your name in it'

'Now double away and check those 238 cadets on camp to see who has your smock. And when you have found it, show parade 1800hrs, Guardroom, with smock, showing name legibly written in it'

Christ on a bike. Kids love badges, any badges even if it's just their own name. Let them be.

Get them washing cars on a Sunday afternoon or putting shopping in bags at the tills at Tesco if the Pikeys can't afford them.

On second thoughts, keep the Pikeys away from Tesco, get them doing some roofs or tarmaccing a drive instead.

Let me get this straight WotW. You agree with HH that jackets with name-tapes on them are a good idea, if only to prevent theft, but propose to have name-tapes attached with Velcro. I think I can spot a minor flaw with this.

Originally Posted by Joe_Private

Let me get this straight WotW. You agree with HH that jackets with name-tapes on them are a good idea, if only to prevent theft, but propose to have name-tapes attached with Velcro. I think I can spot a minor flaw with this.

Not only to prevent theft, but to help me identify 120+ cadets in my Coy or the 30 in my Plt who I have only met on day one of camp.

But you should still write your name in the jacket in an inconspicuous spot! You should mark all your kit.

PCS will have admin panels all over the place, so a 1x Velcro badge will suffice and keeps cost down.

This was always a good idea, while we still have DPM. Especially for smocks, as it appears that they are most common item to go adrift! Also, teaching a new cadre could get frustrating with a lack of means of recognition?

On shirts is a no-no, IMO. Even a cadet can't lose the DPM shirt while they're wearing it. Or can they?

Originally Posted by roast_potato

On shirts is a no-no, IMO. Even a cadet can't lose the DPM shirt while they're wearing it. Or can they?

Yes. They won't always be wearing it. In my county training dress is the gold standard of Smock and cty t-shirt. Shirt Jkt only worn for drill or parades.

Originally Posted by walt_of_the_walts

Yes. They won't always be wearing it. In my county training dress is the gold standard of Smock and cty t-shirt. Shirt Jkt only worn for drill or parades.

Hmm, different to what I'm used to, but I take your point. Personally, it depends on in/outdoors, time of year etc. (Think layering system, I'm always harping on about it to my lot.)

For some reason, my det even has sleeves up (summer)/down (winter). So, we can see that what is fit for the goose is not fit for the gander...

But I digress...