Royal in Afganistan

[Artist]

Probably best directed to Steve,

On the shoulder of the RM uniforms some of the guys have on, what does the badge with the dagger on it under the Royal Marine Commando's badge mean?

The Dagger lets people know that the person wearing it is as member of 3CDOBERM. Hence the reason why the Nurses were wearing it. Thats what I was told by an oppo still serving in the Corp. In the Second Gulf War the Welsh squadron of Light tanks (Sorry don't remember their correct name) attached to the Bde were issued with Commando Daggers in appreciation of the good job they did when helping the Bde during the war.

In my day the only insignia we wore were our Royal Marines Commando flashes which we wore on both shoulders of our Whooley Pullys. Things change from year to year these days. So don't expect things to remain the same from you first day until your last in the Corp.

Artist

[ali_hire]

I have a friend who was in the Navy, did the AACC and has now just passed out of training with RAF Reg. and he is apparantly still allowed to wear his dagger flash on his uniform.

I guess it must be one of those things you're allowed to take with you wherever you go, bit like airborne wings I suppose.

[Chas]

You retain the right to wear the dagger on your left sleeve throughout
your entire military service irrespective of the arm in which you serve.
This is of course is subject to having passed the AACcse. as 'Matelot',
'Perce' or other! No offence intended with the other i.e. RAF who
often become FOOs'. 'Royal' of course retains the same right.
Many years after leaving the Corps and joining the Queen's Regt.
HSF my first instruction from my Col. was to immediately sew on
the dagger earned in the 1950s' some 30 years prior plus other brevets.

[druadan]

Dagger on left arm (non-Bootneck ranks) denotes Commando trained rank - Perce wear a red one on black background. Perce have in fact now been issued shoulder flashes saying 'Army Commando,' but they look gash as the writing's too small and all on one line, tho the flash is the same size as the traditional bootneck flash.

Dagger on right arm (black on green background) is worn by all ranks (Bootneck or otherwise) serving with 3 Cdo Bde - hence this is not worn by ranks serving at CTC and a few other establishments that are not part of Brigade.

[Chas]

Much appreciated - thank you so much- Chas.