Can you "collect" cap badges?

Hi Evelyn,

So you pretty much summed it up. There are job roles that will offer you the opportunity to post to different Corps and Regiments, located both in the UK and overseas throughout your career. Each post typically lasts 2-3 years, although you might move on quicker if you promote during your post. Combat Medical Technician (RAMC), Driver/ Chef (RLC), Human Resource Specialist (AGC SPS) and Armourer (REME) are just a few of the trades that could provide a diverse career location wise (there are a lot more though).

Whilst you will no doubt have mementos from each post (and possibly different berets to keep), you still wear YOUR cap badge. So for example, the CMTs that work with the AAC will wear a blue beret with the RAMC cap badge. Hope that makes sense?

With regards to transferring Corps/ Regiment, I believe you can do this three times throughout your career. The army are introducing new ways to make this a lot easier, so long as the cap badge you aspire to join have spaces (some trades will have a long wait if you wish to transfer over, such as AAC Groundcrew Specialist) and you have completed your minimum time with your existing cap badge. It is also worth adding you'll need to show your dedication and commitment to the Corps/ Regiment you wish to join and will have a formal interview to demonstrate this.

Hope that helps, and if you have any further questions, then do ask away.

Yep, that just about lines up with what my understanding was in that case. I thought it'd be wonderful to collect plenty of mementoes from service like various cap badges, berets, and TRFs from the units you've served with and the people you meet. It was a relatively big thing for some people in cadets, especially at air shows with international attendance, international exchange trips and travel on trips to places like Arnhem for the road march.

I do have one question about service, whether you'd be able to answer it or not - I'm currently looking at appealing my medical being deferred due to potential problems with being transgender. I went into a bit more detail in another question that was unanswered; how easy would the appeal be and how would I be treated more specifically in terms of grooming and uniform standards? Don't worry if you can't answer or can only be brief on it.

Hi Evelyn,

Many people in the army do exactly that! They exchange patches with international soldiers, or collect souvenirs along the way.

With regards to your second point, it's difficult for me to give you clarity on this issue and I would advise speaking to your local careers office or careers adviser. They would be best suited to look at your application and gauge whether or not it is best to appeal.

Transgender is not a barrier to entry, and you will be treated like any other soldier. There are many soldiers who have transitioned during their service. If you're MTF or FTM, you will likely be recognised as the gender you're changing to. However, again there are numerous factors to consider so it's often a case by case basic.

I know that was quite brief, but I hope that helps.