finance
Royal Navy to Spend £200,000 Redesigning Female Officers' Ceremonial Uniforms
The Royal Navy will replace ceremonial No1 jackets for female officers because the top decorative buttons sit at chest height. More than 950 officers will receive the redesigned jackets, which move all eight buttons lower. The change will be implemented in two phases starting in September, with costs covered at the Crown's expense.
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The Royal Navy is set to spend £200,000 replacing ceremonial uniforms for female officers over concerns that decorative buttons sit at an inappropriately-placed position. An internal document has revealed that the traditional No1 jacket will be swapped for a redesigned version featuring all eight buttons positioned a little lower than chest height.
British taxpayers will cover the bill, described as being met at the Crown's expense.
The timing coincides with military leaders seeking savings amid a £28 billion shortfall in defence funding over the next four years. More than 950 serving female officers will receive the updated jackets, with Royal Fleet Auxiliary officers also included. The redesigned uniform will be distributed in two phases, beginning in September and then from next February.
The No1 jackets are worn during formal occasions including flag officer inspections, official visits and funerals. At present they feature four rows of two buttons, with the uppermost pair sitting at the height now under review. Lower-ranking personnel such as petty officers, chief petty officers and warrant officers will not be affected, as their uniforms feature only three rows of buttons.
A number of female sailors have expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, particularly those who purchased their own uniforms at personal expense. One Navy source described the expenditure as inconsistent with current pressures on the Armed Forces. " — Navy source (GB News) The same source noted that the button placement had long been a running joke within the service.
