Flashes

[Mitch]

Just an interest question here. What do the different flashes mean. I know there is the 'Royal Marines Commando' one. Then nowadays you see the black dagger with green square backing. Didn't this used to be blue/black circle segment backing with a red dagger? And why do I sometimes see the dagger on the green backing with what I am guessing is a crown in the middle?

Thanks in advance
Mitch

[Dangermouse]

I may be wrong, but I thought the dagger was worn by those serving in three Commando Brigade in 40, 42 or 45 Commando.

[eagleeye]

Its the insignia of their job sort of thing (identifcation) the dagger with a crown is FPGRM etc etc theres loads of them in the RAF and Army all wih meaning.

Get on to www.cadetdirect.com they sell them on there and describe most of them to some extent.

Do a bit of research into it mate.

[Shrek The Royal]

I think you will find FPG ranks wear a trident on there sleave fella, whats all this crown business and blue circles We used to wear a red dagger in a black triangal this is actually an army insignia, which is why we have gone back to a dagger in a green square and denotes you are part of 3 CDO Brigade which comprises of more than just the three fighting units.

[Mitch]

By circle segment i meant the triangle you talk about; i thought it was a triangle with a curved edge ie. a circle segment. However, you are right it is just a triangle.
If you look at the link below for the Reserves booklet it shows both of the 'offending' flashes. If you look at the very first the guy shouting has what looks like a crown around the commando dagger on his flash. This made me think it was denoting reserve ranks but I have seen other pictures with regular commandos with them.
Then if you look at page 22 the guy with the rifle walking in front of the officer has the blue flash.
And another picture I have seen in then regular careers brochure has (what I am guessing is) a few FPGRM guys with the 'Royal Marines Commando' flash but not the square one.
Would be great if this could be cleared up.

Mitch

Edit: because I am an amateur i left the link off! Here it is

http://www.royalmarines.mod.uk/pdf/rmr_brochure.pdf

sorry

[Shrek The Royal]

There just the old flashes went out in about 2002 i seem to remember, that will be a Siera Leone phot on page 22.

[Mitch]

Still no light on the crown and dagger? Those phots look recent.

Mitch

[Hellbreather]

If you look real closly you can see it says RMR in big letters on the square so Im guessing thats an RMR flash

And I dunno whats in the middle.

[Mitch]

You sure? I have never seen that before.

Mitch

[Hellbreather]

I am pretty sure thats what it says.. have another look mate.

Could be wrong jsut thats what I think

[fubar84]

The flash on page 2 immediately below the Commando shoulder flash is the parachute qualified flash. All RM personnel that are parachute qualified wear this flash, it's a white parachute with sky blue wings.

Here's a description of most other common flashes. I'm pretty sure this is correct: (all described as if you were wearing the shirt)

Black triangle with red dagger - All Arms Commando flash, worn on left sleeve by tri-service personel that have completed AACC.

Green square with black dagger - 3 Cdo Bde flash worn on right sleeve. Worn by all RM in 3 Cdo Bde.

Green square with 'FPGRM' text and trident symbol - worn on left sleeve signifying that wearer is part of Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines.

Green curved flash with 'Royal Marines Commando' in black text - current subdued flash worn by all Royal Marines on both shoulders. Also available in desert clours matching desert dpm's.

Black curved flash with 'Royal Marines Commando' written in red text - flash worn by Drill Leaders on wooly jumpers. Worn on both shoulders.

Green curved flash with 'Royal Navy Commando' written in black text (current meaning) - flash worn by Navy personnel that have passed AACC and are serving with Royal marines units.

Hope this helps,

[Mitch]

Thanks for that fubar and I might agree with you Hellbreather, it does look like RMR I have just never seen this before. I will PM Von because he seems to know a lot where the RMR is concerned.

Thanks everyone for your help

Mitch