3. Conduct of Appearance And Embellishments

3. Conduct of Appearance

Riding and Non Riding Members (Whilst in Australian Light Horse Uniform)

Age Limit:
The minimum age limit for riding members applying to join the association is 13 years.

Dress Style:
(a) The style of dress to be worn will be in accordance with the guide lines as laid down in this manual.
(b) A true depiction of the era being represented is desirable.
(c) When taking part in a combined activity, the dress specified by the controlling host troop for that activity, will be worn.
(d) Mixing of military and civilian dress is not permitted. The image of the Light Horsemen who we represent, the Association, and the pride and self esteem of its members, depends on the maintenance of the highest standards of dress, appearance and bearing.

It is the responsibility of all members to maintain their uniform, equipment and saddlery in good order and repair and present the highest possible standards of appearance and cleanliness.

Retired members of the Army:
Officers who have been granted a military title on retirement, or other ranks who have been granted permission by Army Headquarters Directorate of Personnel Policy – Army (DPP-A) to wear uniform after discharge, may wear at military ceremonies or military entertainments uniform appropriate to the rank in which they last served in the active forces.

Retired members are to wear the letter ‘R’ (retired insignia in accordance with ASOD Vol 2).

Occasions

Uniform is worn as follows:

(a) Ceremonial Dress is worn for all state and ceremonial occasions.
(b) General Duty Dress is worn for all working type activities i.e. mounted drills – sports and general activities.
(c) Field Dress is worn when participating in field exercises or field training.
(d) Mess Dress is worn for formal or semi formal occasions.
(e) Marching Order used only when moving fully equipped for battle. Within these rules possible only for demonstration purposes.

Appearance

General:
The standard of personal dress, appearance and grooming is to be such as to reflect credit on the individual and on the light horsemen we represent and the Australian Light Horse Association. The intent of the Australian Light Horse Association Orders for Dress is to ensure that a high standard of grooming consistent with that expected of a professional military force is maintained without being unnecessarily restrictive. While recognising the standards of society, the traditional military standards have proved their value in fostering group identity and morale.

Chewing gum, slouching, sauntering, hands in pockets, smoking in the street (and in particular when mounted in public) walking arm-in-arm, hand-in-hand and any similar deportment which detracts from a military appearance in the eyes of the public is unacceptable for members in uniform.

Alignment of Uniform:
Shirts and jackets are to be worn with the button line positioned centrally in front of the body. The outer edge of the buttoned shirt is to be vertically aligned with the breeches fly. The buckles of the breeches belt (jacket belt and Sam Browne belt are to positioned in line with the buttons of jackets and shirts or centrally in the front of the body when wearing sweaters.

It is recommended that belt hooks be worn to support belts in the correct position when wearing jackets.

Male Members

Beards:
Male members are to be clean shaven except in the following circumstances.
(a) Medical grounds
(b) Religious grounds
(c) A beard is permitted when depicting the era represented. (eg Boer War)
When worn – beards are to be kept neatly trimmed with the whisker length not greater than two centimetres and tapered to blend with the hairstyle. No area of the face is to be shaved when a beard is worn.

Hair:
The hair on the head is to be:
(a) Neatly groomed at all times
(b) Worn short enough so that when hair is groomed and headdress is removed no hair touches the ears or collar or extends below the top of the eyebrows.
(c) Styled in a manner which does not interfere with the proper wearing of military headdress.
(d) Hair on the neck to be trimmed/shaved.
(e) Hair is permitted to depict the era represented.

Moustaches:
Moustaches worn by members are to be neatly trimmed and are not to exceed two centimetres in length. ‘Handlebar’ and similar style moustaches are permitted when depicting a particular era.

Female Members

Hair
(a) Neatly groomed at all times
(b) Groomed so that it does not fall below the eyebrows or extend below the lower edge of the buttoned collar. It is recommended that a suitable accoutrements i.e. hair net is worn.
(c) Styled so that it does not interfere with the proper wearing of military headdress.

All members are not to wear jewellery of any type when in uniform.

Dress Embellishments

This section describes basic dress embellishments.

General

Australian Army Badge – (Rising Sun) Kings Crown:
The Army Badge is the authorised emblem of the Australian Army. (For the Light Horse 1914 to 1945). The Army Badge (in black oxidised) is worn centrally on the upturned brim on the left hand side of the had Khaki Fur Felt (KFF) by all personnel. The small collar badges are worn on each lapel of the jacket. They can be either horizontal or parallel to the collar edge.
AUSTRALIA

‘AUSTRALIA’ Shoulder Titles:
Metal ‘AUSTRALIA’ shoulder titles are worn by all ranks on tunic only. (AIF Tunic only). They are worn on both epaulettes with the lower edge one centimetre above the seam joining the epaulette to the tunic.

Regimental Badges:

For Militia the Regimental Badge is worn in place of the Australian Army Badge as described above.

Rank Insignia:
Appropriate rank insignia are to be worn on all orders of dress. Embroidered insignia are to be sewn on uniforms (see diagram). Metal insignia are to be affixed to shoulder boards or directly to uniforms.

Skill at Arms Badge:
Only to be worn by those qualified.

Trade Badge:
Only to be worn by qualified tradesmen.

Overseas Service Chevrons:
Only to be worn by those entitled.

Wound Chevrons:
Only to be worn by those entitled.

Rank Chevrons:

Members are advised that the Rank structure for ALHA Troops and individuals are as follows:

Officers Rank –

Only to be worn by ALHA members who are currently or retired members of the ADF who have been commissioned to that rank.

Troop Structure:

One Troop Sergeant per Troop
One Corporal per Troop
One Lance Corporal (Section Leader) per Section of the Troop. Normally the Number 1 of each section.

This Rank structure supersedes the previous guidelines issued by the ADF. (current ADF Uniform Instructions now only apply to currently serving members of the ADF involved in Historical Light Horse activities)

Chevrons are located on the right sleeve only as in the below images.

Image courtesy of Lawrance Ordnance

Other Embellishments

Emblems or Unit Awards:
Emblems or Unit awards are worn on the right side, above the pocket of the shirt or Service dress jacket. Miniature emblems are worn on the right lapel of mess dress.

Emu Plumes:
Emu plumes of approved design and dimensions are worn by all members. The plume is worn on the hat KFF with all orders of dress, it is centrally fixed on the left hand side behind the puggaree.

Order Decorations and Medals

The Brass ‘A’:
Represent service related to Gallipoli (ANZAC) campaign personal issue – will NOT be worn over the unit colour patch.

Medals:
Should be worn in accordance with Commonwealth Government Regulations. Family medals are worn on the right and only worn on Commemorative occasions such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and Beersheba Day.

Items of Dress

Hat Khaki Fur Felt:
When the had KFF is worn with ceremonial and general duty orders of dress, the Army Badge (Rising Sun) or in the case of Militia the Regimental Badge is worn on the left hand side of the hat. This applies whether the brim is to be worn up or down.

Lanyards:
AIF/WW1 – khaki plaited cord are worn on the left shoulder of the tunic. The tail of the lanyard is tucked into the left breast pocket of the tunic.

Quote from the Australian Army:

‘The lanyard was generally worn looped around the left shoulder with the loose end in the breast pocket. In 1920 the position was changed to the right side to simplify retrieval of the loose end from the pocket when a bandolier was worn.’

Militia – white plaited cord are worn on the right shoulder of ceremonial and general duty orders of dress. The tail of the lanyard is tucked into the left hand side of the right hand breast pocket of the tunic.