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The modern Irish Army uniform is based on the layer principle and is designed to provide the soldier with the right degree of protection for any operational environment.
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An Irish army uniform[1] consists of the following:
The Service dress Uniform is used by the Army for ceremonial and administrative duties. It resembles khaki service dress worn in many armies, but is in distinctive green shade. The uniform, introduced in 1961, consists of a jacket which is open to show a creamy brown shirt and green tie.[2] The layout of the uniform varies from corps to corps. For enlisted soldiers, the rank markings are worn on the sleeves of the issue tunic. The Unit and Brigade Flashes are worn on the right and left sleeves respectively. A lanyard depicting the corps function is worn over the left shoulder and pinned to the left chest pocket button (e.g. white lanyard for artillery, red for military police). The corps badge is pinned to the tunic lapels. A cloth belt with brass buckles is worn around the waist of the tunic.
Black leather gloves are worn by privates or NCOs below BQMS rank. When worn as SD No1, the cloth belt is traded for a white dress belt, and white gloves are worn by enlisted personnel below BQMS rank.Medals are worn with SD No1.Medal Ribbons are worn with SD No2 and 3. Peaked caps have been introduced and are worn by other ranks on ceremonial occasions.
Regular soldiers and Reserve wear the all leather "Linkers" ceremonial boot., The tunic button is a staybright material with a harp and the inscription "IV" meaning Irish Volunteers.
Officers have their rank markings pinned to the shoulder straps of their tailored tunic. They also wear a Sam Browne Belt in brown leather. The Officers SD No.1 Uniform also includes brown leather shoes and brown leather gloves. Non-cavalry officers in the Permanent Defence Force wear peaked caps, whereas cavalry and reserve officers wear Glengarry hats with black and green ribbons respectively. All officers except Generals( who wear the Generals red backed cloth badge since 2010) wear bronze cap badges, marking them out from other ranks, who have anodised aluminium brass coloured cap badges.[3]
Army Bands wear a black ceremonial uniform with red stripes on the trousers and peak cap type headwear. The Cavalry corps ceremonial escort of honour wear a new dress uniform since 2010.
Army Pipers and drummers wear a safron kilt with Royal green tunics and black Glengarry with safron ribons.[4]
Brass type name tags are worn with Service dress No1,2 and 3. Cloth name tags are worn with field dress. A new "Defence forces Ireland" badge will soon be issued and will be worn over the left chest pocket of the field dress smock,shirt,fleece and waterproof suit
