Irish Defence Forces cap badge
The Irish Defence Forces Cap Badge (or "FF badge" as it is sometimes called) is common to all services and corps of the
Origin and early usage
The badge is said to be designed in 1913 by
Description
Design
The design of the Army Badge which is prescribed in Defence Force Regulations as follows:[3]
- "...As a component of rank insignia and which is specified in the Third Schedule as the form of the cap badge, shall be comprised of a sunburst - An Gal Gréine, surmounted by an 8-pointed star, a point of the star being uppermost, bearing the letters "FF" (in Gaelic characters) encircled by a representation of an ancient warrior's sword belt on which the words "Óglaigh na hÉireann" are inscribed."
Inscription
- "FF" - Fianna Fáil - " formed in 1926 adopted the same name)
- "Óglaiġ na h-Éireann" - Irish Volunteers[1][5]
Current usage and variations
Irish Army
In the Army, the badge is worn by all ranks on all head-dress. Enlisted and non-commissioned ranks wear a "Stay-Brite"
These two variations are worn by all ranks. However, on the Service Dress Uniform, the ranks of Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General and Lieutenant General and the Head Chaplain have a gold bullion version on a red cloth backing. The same version is worn on the Mess Dress Uniform peaked cap by all officers.
In the Naval Service, the "Stay-Brite" version of the badge is worn by Seamen and Leading Seaman on their cap and on the operational beret.
Irish Air Corps
The Air Corps previously wore army uniforms. On the introduction of a distinct blue Air Corps uniform in 1994, cloth cap badges were introduced for the forage caps and peaked caps; these have a smaller less detailed version of the badge embroidered into the design, which incorporates a phoenix.
See also
External links
References
- ^ ASIN B00AEH38JE. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ^ a b McDonnell, Joe (2016). "The Irish Army Cap Badge". The Irish Sword. The Journal of the Military History Society of Ireland. 30 (122): 117–126.
- ^ Irish Defence Force Regulations 1962 (unrestricted). Article A9 (Dress): Irish Defence Forces. 1962.
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- ^ Military.ie - Office Defence Forces website Archived 2010-04-14 at the Wayback Machine