jim30 said:
The MOD is technically prohibited under the Geneva convention from deploying civilian personnel in operational theatres wearing uniforms. That is why all MOD CS body armour and helments have blue covers (similar to media). I think its to do with their rights as a non combatant (yea right, tell that to the JAM).
I know the SCIADs / OA's used to sometimes wear combats, but I think this was because of what they were doing and not trying to stand out too much - although how much that was down to one individuals influence I don't know. The ones I knew were certainly fairly uncomfortable wearing it, as they felt rather walt like in doing so. I don't know if MOD officialy sanctions or condones this practise?
No other MOD staff should wear uniforms on MOD business unless they are in MPGS or other such organisations. Should you meet any MOD CS pathetic enough to wear uniform then please submit them to the beasting of their life for being such total cnuts for doing so!
Accredited journalists and OA staff on Op GRANBY wore uniform. Of course, with the amount of time spent in NBC protective clothing it would have been odd if they had been constantly changing back and fore from desert cammo to civ kit.
The Third Geneva Convention of 1949 recognises the status of "Persons who accompany the armed forces without actually being members thereof". This includes accredited war correspondents, etc.
They should be in possession of an identity card in prescribed format, but I cannot recall any prohibition under the Conventions against such persons wearing uniform. I would think the "prohibition" is more a question of UK PLC making a reasonable judgement that such persons are relatively safer in an operational environment with blue helmet and CBA covers, etc, rather than camouflage.
I have had the blue kit myself as an FCO contract employee.