Future Army Dress
Fad. noun. A fashion that is taken up with great enthusiasm for a brief period of time; a craze.
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Executive Summary
It has been designed by tailors and military types. Sadly the tailors would appear to have designed the military aspect and the military have done the tailoring.
Quote: Mushroom
What is it?
As far as acronyms go, just how incredibly fucking apt is this one? FAD is exactly that, someone's great idea. FAD is a one-size-fits all concept for the replacement of Service Dress and the Number 2 Dress Uniform for officers and Other Ranks. Like anything, this is not going to come cheap (or be popular) - especially at a time when there are more pressing issues to be addressed and far better and more important things to spend money on than looking nice twice a year.
But Why?
Good question. Well presented! There is absolutely nothing wrong with current Service Dress and the Ginger Marching Suit. They both look smart and the GMS was only changed (to the current cheapish-looking variant) in the late '80s... and there was fuck all wrong with the previous pattern either.
One argument is uniformity in appearance: the 'corporate image' etc. The thing is, the British Army is not very uniform. Myriad regimental embellishments and dress variations will render FAD pointless and it'll end up looking exactly like the current uniforms, with different coloured trousers and all manner of unit quirks proudly displayed.
Needless to say, the decision has already been made and you're having it whether it's needed or not. The brain behind the decision will undoubtedly get a CBE for it... if he/she/it hasn't already got one. Money well spent... again.
