Cadets are issued, at no cost to them, a uniform that they must maintain throughout their time as a Cadet. They will be taught how to shine their boots, iron their shirts and pants, sewing badges, and clean their white tops. The uniform must be clean at all times.

Each cadet will be issued the following uniform parts:

• White Top (Head dress)
• Ball Cap
• Black T-shirt
• Gunshirt
• Tunic & Lanyard
• Pants (2)
• Black Belt
• Boots
• Sea Training Shirt (Workdress)

Cadet Uniform Dress Standards

The Sea Cadet orders of dress appear on the ships bulletin board. All orders of dress shall be worn in a clean, neat, professional manner at all times.

Until new Cadets have been issued their uniforms, Cadets are asked to wear suitable clothing. Items like jeans, spaghetti strap tops, exposed mid-drifts, spandex (leggings), and flip flops are not appropriate.

If you have lost, or need a different size uniform piece, please see the Supply Officer.

Each cadet is issued two name tags during the initial issue of the uniform, which are worn on the top of the right pocket of the tunic and sea training shirt. Replacement name tags can be purchased for $5 plus tax from North Star Trophies.

Cadets require the permission of the CO to wear any order of dress on any occasion other than an authorized cadet function. This includes events such as weddings, baptisms, funerals, and Remembrance Day services at the Cadet’s school.

Uniform parts shall never be worn in combination with civilian clothing. For example, the uniform tunic is never worn as a jacket with civilian clothes.

Undergarments will be worn with all orders of dress and shall be of an appropriate colour so as to not be visible through the uniform.

While in uniform, Cadets must wear the complete uniform at all times, and behave as good citizens and good ambassadors of the Cadet Program and for the Corps. A Cadet should never be seen on the street or in a public place wearing only part of a uniform. Consider yourself a walking billboard – you are on display, advertising the best youth program Canada has to offer.

Uniform Parts

White Tops

• Worn so the rim is one finger above your eyebrow
• The front cap seam is centered directly over your nose
• Your chinstay is to be sewn inside your white top at the length that permits the chinstay to fit under your chin. You do not need to wear your chinstay unless you are directed to
• Hand wash your white top regularly with cold water and white toothpaste, using an old toothbrush to scrub the dirt off
• Cap tallies with “RCSCC Rawalpindi” should be centered so that the front cap seam is between the first A and W
• Tie your cap tally with a neat bow over the left ear vents

Gun Shirts

• May be worn during the summer with or without the tunic, but your tunic must be worn when proceeding to and from the corps, CTC or any official activity
• Sleeves are pressed with a crease along the upper edge of each sleeve
• A vertical crease must be ironed down the middle of the front of your gunshirt
• Spray starch can be used for extra crispness
• While ironing the gunshirt, make sure you use a pressing cloth, such as a towel or rag, to avoid getting burns on the gunshirt

Tunic

• Sleeves shall be pressed with no creases
• When the tunic is worn, it shall be fully buttoned with the exception of the top button
• Ensure all pocket buttons are done up
• Do not fill your pockets with items so they bulge out
• Be sure your belt is even with no twists
• Use a pressing cloth while ironing to prevent shininess
• Name tags shall be worn above the right hand pocket centered with the pocket

Lanyard

• Worn under the collar of your tunic
• The knot is sitting on the first “done-up” button
• Tuck the end of your lanyard into the inner corner of the left breast pocket with the slack or bight hanging to the third button
• Wash the lanyard with warm soap and water. Hang the lanyard on a hanger with a weight around the bottom to dry. This will avoid the lanyard from twisting

Sea Training Shirt (Workdress)

• Workdress shirts are to be ironed flat with creases in the sleeves
• Rank epaulets shall be worn on the shoulders
• Sleeves shall be rolled up to one inch above the elbow
• The rolls are measured by the cuff of the sleeves

Trousers

• Black belt is to be worn with the pants
• Each pant leg will have a crease down the center of each leg in the front and the back, right up to the waistband
• Wet your pants using a spray bottle when ironing to make sharp creases, using a pressing cloth to prevent shininess

Boots

Boots are to be laced horizontally from side to side and should be polished to a bright shine. Polishing boots takes hard work, patience, and time. You should use Kiwi brand polish and cloths. Use the following steps to shine your boots:

• Remove dust and dirt from the boots with a soft damp cloth
• Use an old toothbrush, with polish, to blacken the catwalks
• Apply a moderate amount of polish to the area of the boot you will polish
• Use a polishing cloth or other soft cloth around your index finger (or the first two fingers) and dampen with cool water or your tongue
• You should work on section at a time. Apply the polish in a circular motion. Start with larger circles to cover the area with polish. Use smaller circles as the polish works into the boot. Continue with the circular motion until you can no longer see circles formed by the polish
• You will have to continue applying coats of polish in this way until the boots have a high gloss
• Be patient. Good boots take time

Webbing

• Webbing is worn by guards, gun crews, band members, quartermasters, duty yeoman, duty buglers, members of flag parties, and drill teams
• Webbing consists of white web or plastic belt and white web gaiters which go around your ankles
• White belts shall not be worn without gaiters
• Gaiters shall be worn with scalloped edges down, buckles to the outside, tab ends to the back and tucked into retaining loops

Badges

Badges will be sewn on the tunic neatly and straight, using a thread which blends in with the material.

Corps Crest – Crests are worn over the right hand pocket, two finger widths above the pocket so as to allow the name tag and any medals under the crest

Rank Badges – Ranks badges from Able Cadet to Petty Officer Second Class are worn on the upper left sleeve, centered midway between the point of the elbow and the shoulder. Rank badges from Petty Officer First Class to Chief Petty Officer First Class are worn on the lower left sleeve, centered midway between the point of the elbow and the bottom of the cuff.

Qualification and Appointment Badges – They are to be worn on the upper right sleeve centered midway between the shoulder seam and the point of the elbow.

Proficiency Badges – These badges are worn on the lower right sleeve, directly above the upper seam of the cuff. They are awarded for attaining proficiency in training such as sailing, first aid, marksmanship, music, and communication.

Other Badges and Medals

• The Royal Canadian Sea Cadet badge is worn on each shoulder of the tunic with the upper edge of the badge as close as possible to the shoulder seam.
• Corps title badges are worn immediately below and in contact with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet badge.
• Medals are worn centered above the right breast pocket of the tunic, 1cm above the top of the pocket.

Cadet Civilian Dress Standard

Civilian dress standards are to be followed for every Cadet function where the dress is civilian clothing. Clothing worn will be appropriate to Cadet activities (ie. sports attire for sports nights). Clothing will be clean and in good repair. Items like jeans, spaghetti strap tops, exposed mid-drifts, spandex (leggings), and flip flops are not appropriate.