3. Conduct Of Appearance And Embellishments

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 maintenance their uniform, equipment and saddlery is good order and repair and present the highest possible standards of appearance.

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 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 Light Horse Association. The intent of the 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 haur 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 on the head is to be:
(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 accoutrement 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.

 

AUSTRALIA

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.

Only one sergeant per troop.
No other rank or embellishments to be worn.

Rank Chevrons:
Troop sergeant chevrons will be worn centrally on the sleeve with the Upper edge of the centre of the top, 'V', 7" below the shoulder seam.

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 ether 'A':
Represent service related to Gallipoli (ANZAC) 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.

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

Items of Dress

The following paragraphs describe the wearing and use of particular 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.