Quote Originally Posted by MacAngus View Post
Does anyone know if all of that is issued to every soldier?
Or do they have to buy some of it themselves
I.E. I had to buy my dress blues from cash sales upon graduating from Parris Island.
Quote Originally Posted by beloitpiper View Post
They buy some themselves, I believe.
Other ranks up to Warrant Officer are issued the uniform they need to do the job in hand. That is to say, if they will not be doing any ceremonial duties, then they are not issued with any ceremonial kit. After the tour of duty, un-required kit is returned to central stores waiting for re-issue to same or different person.

Commissioned Officers are issued kit from central stores in the same way but pay for theirs. They have the option of having some dress uniform made at private tailors.

Warrant officers fall into a totally different category. They hold the Queen's warrant rather than a commission, which is only a time limited contract between the officer and the Sovereign. There are many advantages to being a Warrant Officer. One of which is that they are exempt from close arrest. Regardless of the alleged crime; once they identify themselves as a Warrant Officer, they are placed under house arrest at the nearest Sargent's Mess, with the use of all the Mess facilities. As to uniform, I believe that all parts of kit that refer directly to the Warrant Officer (badges of rank and insignia) are paid for by the WO themselves - all other parts of uniform are issued as per the other ranks. But even this has a slight twist in as much as the WO does not own the badges of rank, but rents them from the Sovereign (rather than the Army, Navy or Air Force)

Regards

Chas