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What to wear, when and how

Dress regulations and more information about what to wear, when to wear, and how to wear it for new and current cadets.

Dress instructions

The Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group (CJCR Sp Gp) Dress Instructions can be found online. This is an important reference. It explains in detail all of the answers to the common questions:

  • Where do I sew on that badge?
  • Where do I pin my name tag?
  • How should I have my hair?
  • How do I lace my boots?
  • And much more!

The remainder of this page summarizes or links to common information from the dress instructions for ease of access.

But what about…

Additional direct links to information about personal appearance standards is found at the bottom of this page.

Orders of Dress

To make knowing what to wear and when to wear it a little easier, there is a numbered series to descrive the level of dress for an event or activity. These are known as the orders of dress. The content below helps summarize these for ease of reference. In case of descrepancies, please differ to the CJCR Sp Gp dress instructions.

C1 – Ceremonial Dress

C1 – Ceremonial Dress

This order of dress is worn for most parades like Commanding Officer’s Parades, Remembrance Day, Annual Ceremonial Review and more. Varients include highland dress. Items worn in this order of dress Includes:

  • Wedge / turban with Air Cadet headdress insigna
  • Cloth cap badge
  • Elemental dress shirt
  • Necktie
  • Socks
  • Jacket with belt
  • Medals
  • Pins
  • Cloth glider / power pilot badge
  • Trousers
  • Belt
  • Boots

May include:

  • Webbing and white gloves
  • Nametag
  • Lanyard
C2 – Mess Dress

C2 – Mess Dress

This order of dress is worn exclusively during formal-type dinning or related social events. It is similar to C1 (including highland variant) dress with following specifics:

  • No headdress
  • Ribbons (no medals)
  • Jacket with belt
  • Pins
  • Cloth glider / power pilot badge
  • Elemental dress shirt
  • Necktie
  • Trousers
  • Belt
  • Socks
  • Boots

May include:

  • Black bow tie in lieu of necktie
  • White long-sleve button-up in lieu of elemental dress shirt
  • Nametags are not worn
C3 – Service Dress

C3 – Service Dress

This is the typical dress for daily wear depending on activity requirements or season. Dress includes:

  • Wedge / turban with Air Cadet headdress insigna
  • Cloth cap badge
  • Elemental dress shirt
  • Necktie
  • Slip ons on dress shirt
  • Socks
  • Boots
  • Jacket with belt (optional)
  • Ribbons (on jacket and / or on shirt)
  • Pins
  • Cloth glider / power pilot badge (jacket)
  • Metal glider / power pilot badge (shirt)
  • Trousers
  • Belt

May include:

  • Nametag
C3 A and B – Service Dress

C3 A and B – Service Dress

Similar to C3 but removes the necktie. When wearing the jacket and belt, the cadet is wearing C3A dress. When the jacket is removed they are wearing C3B. See C3 for details and remember to remove the necktie.

C3 C – Service Dress

C3 C – Service Dress

In this service dress option the elemental dress shirt is replaced with the elemental t-shirt.

Note: Nametag, ribbons, pins, cloth power or glider pilot wings (or other items worn on the jacket) are not worn on the T-Shirt.

C5 – Training Dress

C5 – Training Dress

This order of dress is typically worn in circumstances where training activities are more hands on, like during a feild training exercise. The order of dress includes:

  • Wedge / turban with Air Cadet headdress insigna
  • Field shirt
  • Rank slip-on
  • Environmental t-shirt
  • Field pants
  • Belt
  • Socks
  • Multi-purpose boot (or other as approved)

Notes: Sleves on field shirt can be worn long or rolled just above the elbow. The all-season jacket may be also be worn.

May include:

  • Appointment brassard
  • Lanyard
  • Nametape
C5A – Training Dress

C5A – Training Dress

This order of dress is similar to C5 but removes the field shirt. See C5 for details

Notes: Appointment brassard, rank slip-on, nametape, lanyard, etc. is not worn.

C5B – Training Dress

C5B – Training Dress

This order of dress is typically worn by those directly participating in aviation activities such as crewing an aircraft, support airfield operations, or related tasks. The order of dress includes:

  • Flight suit
  • Issued ball cap
  • Rank slip-ons
  • Environmental t-shirt
  • Boots
  • Socks

May include:

  • Cloth glider / power pilot badge (worn on left side above zippered pocket)
  • Glider Pilot Instructor Course badge (word on left side under zippered pocket
  • Nametape (on right side above zippered pocket)
  • Aircraft badge (wordn on left shoulder)
  • Squadron badge (worn on right shoulder)
C5C – Training Dress

C5C – Training Dress

This order of dress is typically reserved for those participating in Cadet Training Centre activities during the summer. The order of dress includes:

  • Ball cap, turban or wide-brimmed tan summer hat
  • Environmental t-shirt
  • Shorts
  • Sport socks
  • Runners

Note: Appointment brassard or nametag / nametape are not worn.

Hair and other standards