ASOD, volume 2

part 2

CHAPTER 5

BAND CEREMONIAL DRESS 5

General 5.1

5.1 Bands carry the responsibility for the public face of the Army. They are constantly under
scrutiny by members of the community, visiting dignitaries, and senior officers of the government and
the Services. Accordingly, band dress must be of consistent high standard and quality commensurate
with the Army image.

5.2 Army bands have a range of ceremonial uniforms which may be worn as an alternative to
normal Army uniform when performing band duties. These uniforms are listed in Block Scale 3002/23.

5.3 Basic ceremonial uniforms for bands are provided and maintained at public expense. Uniforms
of a historical pattern approved by Corps/Regimental councils and Army Headquarters, procured and
maintained at unit/regimental expense may be worn for ceremonial purposes by Army bands within
Australia.

5.4 Ceremonial dress for pipes and drums is included in part 2, chapter 4—‘Scottish dress’.

Wearing band ceremonial uniform 5.5

5.5 Band Ceremonial Dress is worn on occasions when bands are performing band duties. On
formal ceremonial occasions such as ceremonial parades the Number 1 ceremonial orders are worn. On
other occasions such as concerts the Number 2 Ceremonial Orders of Dress may be worn.

5.6 Bands are to wear general orders of dress, including the slouch hat, on occasions of
significance to the Army and the Army image. This includes, but is not restricted to, ANZAC Day, Guards
of Honour and military funerals. Bands may also wear normal orders of dress when performing, at the
discretion of the Officer Commanding/Music Directors.

5.7 Bands performing overseas are to wear normal orders of Army dress to enhance national
identity. Band ceremonial dress is not to be worn overseas.

5.8 Buglers performing as individuals on occasions when a band is not engaged are to wear
normal orders of Army dress and not band ceremonial dress. In exceptional circumstances when buglers
are required to perform at functions which are clearly of a heritage nature and a band is not engaged,
band ceremonial dress may be worn at the direction of Commanding Officers or Music Directors.

5.9 On occasions when mourning bands are worn the mourning band is only to be worn by the
Music Director or Bandmaster, or the person performing the duties of Music Director or Bandmaster, and
the drum major for the engagement. Warrant Officer Band Sergeant Major wear mourning bands in
accordance with part 3, chapter 2, paragraph 2.37.

5.10 Individual Australian Army Band Corps (AABC) bands are permitted to embellish the basic
band ceremonial uniform with items such as dress cords etc on the condition that the items are not
permanently attached, uniforms are not damaged and personnel are able to transfer between units with
the basic uniform intact. Under the same conditions, the basic ceremonial uniforms of corps/regiment or
unit bands may be embellished in accordance with regimental custom.

5.11 The standard Army uniforms are not to be embellished or mixed with band ceremonial dress
items.

5.12 Headdress is to be worn by the conductor and members of fanfare teams and by buglers when
ordered.

5.13 Garments such as dust coats, protective jackets or polo shirts worn to protect ceremonial
uniform are to be worn only during travel and while preparing for performances. They are not to be worn
in public.

5.14 When the Service Dress is worn as a Band Ceremonial it is to be worn without the black
ceremonial belt in the same manner as the scarlet and white ceremonial jacket. Buglers required to
perform on occasions when the band is not engaged are to wear the uniform in accordance with Dress
Order 1A: Ceremonial Parade Service Dress.
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–2

Items of Ceremonial Dress 5.15

5.15 Helmet:

a. The standard Army helmet is the 1977 AABC pattern white helmet which is worn with
metal chin strap, dome and spike and lions head.

b. The corps badge is worn centrally on the front of the helmet with the bottom outer edges
placed above the puggaree.

c. The method of assembly of the helmet components is given in figure 5–3. A ball
replaces the helmet spike for bands of the Royal Australian Artillery.

5.16 Blue cap. Bands wear the standard blue cap (other ranks (OR) pattern or officer pattern as
appropriate). Officers of the rank of Major and above have their cap brims embellished with gold braid.

5.17 Jackets:

a. AABC bands wear the AABC pattern scarlet or white jackets. Other bands wear the
Patrol Blue Jacket and Patrol White Jacket.

b. Officers wear gold shoulder cords on jackets.

c. AABC other ranks jackets have rifle green and gold shoulder boards. Other corps wear
blue or white shoulder boards.

d. Collar badges are positioned on patrol collars as detailed in part 4,

chapter 2—‘Corps/Regiment badges and titles’.

e. Line-40 buttons are worn on the front of scarlet jackets; line-30 buttons are worn on blue
jackets; line-40 buttons are worn on the front of white jackets with line-30 buttons on the
pockets.

f. The corners of the breast pocket flaps of white jackets are to be secured with
press-studs or sewn down.

g. A plain white T-shirt is to be worn at all times under white jackets.

5.18 Trousers/Slacks:

a. AABC bands wear AABC blue trousers/slacks with a 1 cm scarlet stripe. Other bands
wear blue trousers with coloured stripes appropriate to corps (refer to part 2,
chapter 3—‘Mess Dress’).

b. Female personnel are to wear blue slacks with Band Ceremonial Dress.

c. Braces should be worn with trousers (white braces are worn under white jackets).

5.19 Footwear. Bands wear parade boots or shoes with band ceremonial dress as detailed in the
orders of dress below. Shoes are not worn on parade.

5.20 Mess Dress.

a. Mess Dress may be worn for concert performances as an alternative to scarlet or blue
jackets.

b. Mess Dress is not to be procured at public expense.

ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–3

5.21 Sashes. Sashes are worn by band personnel as follows:

a. AABC officers—rifle green sash.

b. AABC Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) performing the duties of Bandmaster—rifle green
sash when a sword is not worn.

5.22 Belts:

a. WO1 performing the duties of Bandmaster of bands of other Corps wear the Sam
Browne Belt.

b. Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) and OR do not wear belts with band ceremonial
uniforms.

5.23 Swords. Swords are worn as follows:

a. When bands are on parade in normal orders of Ceremonial Parade Dress, ie Dress
Order 1A: Ceremonial Parade Service Dress or Dress Order 2A: Ceremonial Parade
Dress, swords with leather equipment and Sam Browne Belts are worn by officers and
WO1 in accordance with the instructions for those orders of dress as given in Army
Standing Orders for Dress, volume 1, chapter 5—‘Orders of dress’. Drum majors and
WO2 Bandmasters wear swords appropriate to corps with white slung equipment.

b. In Band Ceremonial Dress swords are to be worn only when bands are on parade with
armed troops and only by personnel performing in the appointments of Music
Director/Bandmaster and Drum Major. Swords are not to be worn within the ranks of
bands when band ceremonial dress is worn. The method of assembly and wearing of
swords is given in part 3, chapter 2—‘Accoutrements and embellishments’. When worn
with band ceremonial dress, swords are worn by band personnel as follows:

(1) AABC officers—infantry sword in metal scabbard worn with gold (or gold and
crimson) sword knot and straps and suspended from a waist belt and shoulder
suspender which is worn under the jacket.

(2) AABC WO1 performing the duties of Music Director/Bandmaster—infantry sword

in metal scabbard slung on white sword equipment.

(3) WO1 performing the duties of Bandmaster of bands of other Corps—infantry (or
cavalry/artillery if appropriate) sword worn with leather sword equipment and Sam
Browne Belt.

(4) AABC WO2 performing the duties of Music Director or WO2 performing the duties
of Bandmaster of bands of other corps—infantry (or cavalry/artillery if
appropriate) sword in metal scabbard slung on white sword equipment.

(5) Drum Major (of any rank)—infantry sword in metal scabbard slung on white sword
equipment.

5.24 Gloves and gauntlets. White kid leather gloves may be worn by bands and fanfare teams at
the direction of Commanding Officers, Officers Commanding (OC)/Music Directors or Bandmasters.
Officers wear white leather gloves. Drum Majors, cymbal players and bass drummers wear white leather
gauntlets.

5.25 Drum Major Sash. A sash of authorised design is worn by Drum Majors when on parade with
marching bands. Medals and other embellishments to which members are entitled and which are
normally worn on the left breast are worn on the sash. Medals and badges are positioned as shown in
figure 5–1.
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–4

Figure 5–1: Positioning medals on the Drum Major Sash

5.26 Rank insignia:

a. Officers. Metal rank insignia are worn on gold shoulder cords on ceremonial jackets.
The positioning of rank insignia on shoulder cords is detailed in part 3, chapter 2.

b. Warrant Officers. AABC warrant officers are to wear embroidered badges on scarlet or
white backing on scarlet and white jackets respectively. Other corps wear gold or silver
embroidered badges on blue or white backing. Warrant Officer rank is positioned as
detailed in part 4, chapter 3—‘Rank badges and insignia’.

c. Noncommissioned Officers (NCO). AABC NCO are to wear embroidered badges on

scarlet or rifle green backing on scarlet and white jackets respectively. Other corps wear
gold or silver embroidered badges on blue or white backing. NCO rank is worn as
detailed in part 4, chapter 3. Staff Sergeant rank badges are to be worn with the crown
separated from the chevrons. The crown is to be located centrally above the chevrons
with the lower edge of the crown (not the backing) on the horizontal line joining the upper
tips of the top chevron.

5.27 Medals, emblems of unit awards and individual commendations:

a. Medals are to be court mounted and positioned on ceremonial jackets as follows:

(1) White Jacket/Blue Jacket—centrally above the left breast pocket.

(2) Scarlet Jacket—centrally between the line of buttons and the left sleeve seam,
with the top of the medal ribbon/s in line with the second button.

(3) Authorised unofficial medals are worn in equivalent positions on the right side.

b. Emblems of unit citations or individual commendations are worn as follows:

(1) White Jacket/Blue Jacket—on the right side above the pocket as detailed in
part 4, chapter 9—‘Emblems of awards’.

(2) Scarlet Jacket—on the right side positioned with the lower edge of the
commendation badge or the unit citation centrally on the horizontal line between
the second button and the sleeve seam. If both are worn, the unit citation is
positioned as indicated with the commendation badge above unit citations as
detailed in part 4, chapter 9.
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–5

c. Recruit Instructor (Rl) and Army Individual Readiness Notification (AIRN) badges:

(1) White Jacket/Blue Jacket—on the right side, as detailed in part 4, chapter 8
(annexes B and C).

(2) Scarlet Jacket—on the right side with the lower edge of the bottom of the badge
positioned centrally on the horizontal line between the second button and the
sleeve seam. If more than one badge is worn, they are positioned vertically, at
intervals of 1 cm, the sequence from lowest to highest being Rl badge, AIRN
badge, unit citations and individual commendations.

d. The positioning of medals and emblems on jackets is shown in figure 5–2.

Figure 5–2: Positioning of medals and emblems on ceremonial jackets

Other badges 5.28

5.28 The Army Badge, the musician qualification badge, parachute badges and military skills
badges are worn on band ceremonial jackets. They are positioned as for Service Dress. Badges on
scarlet/white/blue backing are worn, unless the badge has a distinctive backing such as the Special Air
Service Regiment parachute badge, 3rd Battalion the Royal Australian Regiment parachute badge, etc.

Orders of dress 5.29

5.29 The orders of band ceremonial dress are detailed in tables as follows:

Dress Code Dress Order Title Table

BC1 No 1 AABC Ceremonial Dress 5–1

BC2 No 2 AABC Ceremonial Dress 5–2

BC3 No 1 Band Ceremonial Dress 5–3

BC4 No 2 Band Ceremonial Dress 5–4

ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–6

Dress Order: Band Ceremonial One—No 1 Australian Army Band Corps Ceremonial Dress 5.30

5.30 With the exceptions cited in paragraph 5.6 this order of dress is worn by AABC bands when on
parade with armed troops or when the occasion makes it appropriate to wear No 1 ceremonial uniform.

5.31 Items of dress to be worn:

Serial Item of Dress Remarks

1 Boots parade

2 Ceremonial jacket, scarlet or white

3 Emblems of unit awards and individual commendations

4 Gauntlets white Note (d)

5 Gloves, white Note (c)

6 Helmet White, 1977 pattern Note (a)

7 Orders, decorations and medals

8 Rank insignia WO/NCO, embroidered gold on

scarlet/white/rifle green

9 Sash Drum Major Note (e)

10 Shoulder boards, AABC pattern OR Note (g)

11 Shoulder cords, gold on scarlet backing with rank insignia, Officer

metal

12 Socks black

13 Sword and accessories Note (h)

14 Trousers/Slacks, blue, AABC pattern

Notes

(a) Headdress may be removed indoors.

(b) Scarlet or white jacket may be worn at the discretion of the Officer Commanding (OC)/Music Director or
Bandmaster, irrespective of season.

(c) Officers wear white kid leather gloves OR wear white cotton gloves when ordered.

(d) Worn by Drum Major, bass drummer and cymbal player.

(e) Worn by Drum Major when performing with a marching band.

(f) Badges worn on scarlet or white background unless the badge has a distinctive background. Refer to
part 4, chapter 5—‘Parachute badges’, chapter 6—‘Trade qualification badges’ and chapter 7—‘Military
skills badges’.

(g) Shoulder boards are worn only on the white jackets.

(h) Worn by designated personnel when on parade with armed troops (paragraph 5.21).

Table 5–1: Band Ceremonial Dress Order: Band Ceremonial One—No 1 Australian Army Band
Corps Ceremonial Dress
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–7

Dress Order: Band Ceremonial Two—Australian Army Band Corps Ceremonial Dress 5.32

5.32 This order of dress is worn by AABC bands when No 1 Ceremonial Dress is not appropriate.

5.33 Items of dress to be worn:

Serial Item of Dress Remarks

1 Cap blue Note (a)

2 Ceremonial jacket, scarlet or white Note (b)

3 Emblems of unit awards and individual commendations

4 Orders, decorations and medals

5 Rank insignia WO/NCO, embroidered gold on

scarlet/white/rifle green

6 Sash waist, rifle green Note (c)

7 Shoes black

8 Shoulder boards, AABC pattern OR

9 Shoulder cords, gold on scarlet backing with rank insignia, Officer

metal

10 Socks black

11 Trousers/Slacks, blue, AABC pattern

Notes

(a) Headdress is worn as appropriate or as ordered.

(b) Scarlet or white jacket may be worn at the discretion of the Commanding Officer, OC/Music Director or
Bandmaster irrespective of season.

(c) Worn by AABC officers and AABC WO1 performing the duties of Music Director (paragraph 5.21).

(d) Badges worn on scarlet or white background unless the badge has a distinctive background. Refer to
part 4, chapters 5, 6 and 7.

Table 5–2: Band Ceremonial Dress Order: Band Ceremonial Two—Australian Army Band Corps
Ceremonial Dress
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–8

Dress Order: Band Ceremonial Three—No 1 Band Ceremonial Dress 5.34

5.34 This order of dress is worn by unit regimental bands when on parade with armed troops or
when the occasion makes it appropriate to wear No 1 Ceremonial Uniform.

5.35 Items of dress to be worn:

Serial Item of Dress Remarks

1 Belt Sam Browne WO1
2 Beret black/Hat KFF with plumes RAAC bands
3 Boots parade
4 Ceremonial jacket, blue or white Note (b)
5 Emblems of unit awards and individual commendations
6 Gauntlets white Note (d)
7 Gloves brown leather
8 Gloves white cotton Note (c)
9 Helmet White, 1977 pattern Note (a)
10 Orders, decorations and medals
11 Rank insignia WO/NCO, embroidered gold on blue/white
12 Sash Drum Major Note (f)
13 Sash scarlet Note (e)
14 Socks black
15 Sword and accessories Note (h)
16 Trousers/Slacks, blue, AABC pattern

Notes

(a) Headdress may be removed indoors.

(b) Blue or white jacket may be worn at the discretion of the Commanding Officer irrespective of season.

(c) OR wear white cotton gloves when ordered.

(d) Worn by Drum Major, bass drummer and cymbal player.

(e) Worn by WO2 and senior noncommissioned officers (SNCO) of Royal Australian Infantry Corps (RA Inf)
bands.

(f) Worn when performing with a marching band.

(g) Badges worn on blue or white background unless the badge has a distinctive background. Refer to part 4,
chapters 5, 6 and 7.

(h) Worn by designated personnel when on parade with armed troops. WO1 Bandmaster wears sword in
leather scabbard and Sam Browne Belt. WO2 Bandmaster and Drum Major wear sword in metal
scabbard slung on white sword equipment (paragraph 5.23).

Table 5–3: Band Ceremonial Dress Order: Band Ceremonial Three—No 1 Band Ceremonial Dress
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–9

Dress Order: Band Ceremonial Four—No 2 Band Ceremonial Dress 5.36

5.36 This order of dress is worn by unit regimental bands when No 1 Ceremonial Dress is not
appropriate.

5.37 Items of dress to be worn:

Serial Item of Dress Remarks

1 Beret black Royal Military

College bands

2 Cap blue Note (a)

3 Ceremonial jacket, blue or white Note (b)

4 Emblems of unit awards and individual commendations

5 Orders, decorations and medals

6 Rank insignia WO/NCO, embroidered gold on blue/white

7 Sash scarlet Note (c)

8 Shoes black

9 Trousers/Slacks, blue, AABC pattern

Notes

(a) Headdress is worn as appropriate or as ordered.

(b) Blue or white jacket may be worn at the discretion of the Commanding Officer irrespective of season.

(c) Worn by WO2 and SNCO of RA Inf bands.

(d) Badges worn on blue or white background unless the badge has a distinctive background. Refer to part 4,
chapters 5, 6 and 7.

Table 5–4: Band Ceremonial Dress Order: Band Ceremonial Four—No 2 Band Ceremonial Dress
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–10

Notes

(a) Chain Metal Helmet will be fitted in the following manner:

• The single chain ring is attached to the chin holder—lions head.

• Separate spike and dome and place chain ring over threaded section of spike. The ring to be
placed over the spike is determined by allowing the chain to drop from the lions head, across the
front of the helmet ensuring that it rests on the visor at the point where puggaree and visor meet,
continuing up the opposite side of the helmet covering the top and lower front airholes.

• Reassemble spike and dome ensuring there are no twists in chain rings. Screw spike and dome
into helmet.
ASOD, volume 2
part 2
5–11

(b) To alleviate any movement of the chain on the helmet it should be secured in the following manner:

• An 8 mm panel pin is inserted through the leather of the chain so that the pin extends through the
upper most airhole. A badge clip is attached to the pin on inside of helmet. Repeat the procedure
for lower front airhole.

• Panel pins should be made of brass or nickel.

(c) The AABC hat badge is positioned centrally on the centre seam in the front of the helmet.

(d) With the bottom outer edges placed immediately above the puggaree.

Figure 5–3: Helmet, white, ceremonial, 1977 pattern placement of fittings