Defence Forces Cap Badge

[Fianóglach]

Does anybody know the background and meaning to the various parts of our Defence Forces Cap Badge? I have heard various stories down through the years including one about the six counties and the belt in the cap badge. So if anybody knows the correct version it would be great to hear.






Courtesy of http://www.bailerweb.com/misc/cap.htm

[Itchy]

sunburst - traditional battle symbol of na fianna
8 pointed star - star of st. patrick
oglaig na heireann - volenteers of Ireland
belt - symbol of eternity
ff- (fianna fail) soldiers of destiny


Do some senior officers have a blue/red tint to their cap badges or am i dreaming?

[happenin]

sunburst - traditional battle symbol of na fianna
8 pointed star - star of st. patrick
oglaig na heireann - volenteers of Ireland
belt - symbol of eternity?
ff- (fianna fail) soldiers of destiny


Do some senior officers have a blue/red tint to their cap badges or am i dreaming?

the belt and buckle are also a symbol of infantry.

[Sluggie]

The cap badge was, I belive, designed by prof. Eoin McNeill in 1913. This would make any subliminal reference to the "Six Counties" very unlikley as the NI state was formed in 1920 and up until then the unionists had held out for a nine county Ulster.

This was abandoned as the sectarian headcount would have made NI "unstable" ie. minority too large to supress efectively. This left the unionists of the three southern counties feeling betrayed by their fellow signatories of "the covenant".

[rod and serpent]

Why do the Irish Army have only one badge. Do you not have any Corps badges.

[DeV]

Standardisation is cheaper?
The cap badge is that of the Irish Volunteers, which became the National Army in 1922.

Each corps (inf, arty, cav, tpt, med, MP, etc) have different "corps badges" which are located on the lapels (I think that what they are called) of the No1 tunic.

See http://www.irishmilitaryinsignia.com...tal_index.html

The current DF button was also worn by the Irish Volunteers being designed by
Professor Eoghan McNeill in 1912.

[rod and serpent]

What about identity.

[DeV]

Unit flashes were worn on "working dress" untill the introduction of the DPM uniform (they are still worn in the No1 dress).

[The Joker]

They are known as collar badges

[Itchy]

the belt and buckle are also a symbol of infantry.

belt is a sword belt and is the military symbol for infantry

[Itchy]

Do some senior officers have a blue/red tint to their cap badges or am i dreaming?

Any ideas?

[ICUN]

An officers cap badge is a darker, bronze colour. Other ranks have the gold coloured badge like the picture above. I don't know of any other variations of it.

[DeV]

Do some senior officers have a blue/red tint to their cap badges or am i dreaming?

From 1923 to 1924, staff officers at Army HQ level were issued red tinted cap badges, while those staff officers at command level were issued one with blue tint. A green tinted one may have been issued to brigade staff officers.
Have a look at: http://www.irishmilitaryinsignia.com/

As kermit says, Colonels and above, (but only in the Army) and the Head Chaplain have a red patch behind their cap badges.

[happenin]

belt is a sword belt and is the military symbol for infantry

Ah. Thanks for the clarification.

[Truck Driver]

From 1923 to 1924, staff officers at Army HQ level were issued red tinted cap badges, while those staff officers at command level were issued one with blue tint. A green tinted one may have been issued to brigade staff officers.
Have a look at: http://www.irishmilitaryinsignia.com/

As kermit says, Colonels and above, (but only in the Army) and the Head Chaplain have a red patch behind their cap badges.

Kermit didn't say they have a red patch behind the badge, he said they have a red background. Not the same thing. Officers cap badges are a larger (radius) version of the other ranks cap badge, and are bronze coloured, although have seen golden versions too. Colonels and above have a cloth badge, made of gold bullion thread with a red background. The badge for general ranks differs from the colonel's badge, in that it is shaped like the officers' bronze badge, whereas with the colonel's badge, the pointed star is more prominent...