The Irish Defence Forces Cap Badge, or "FF badge" as it is sometimes called, unlike British, Commonwealth and other militaries worldwide, is common to all services and corps. Although mostly associated with the Irish Army—in fact, Defence Force regulations describe it as "the Army Badge"—it is worn by and appears in elements of Naval Service and Air Corps insignia.
Contents |
Origin and early usage
The badge was designed in 1913 by Eoin MacNeill, a founding member and chairman of the Irish Volunteers. Variations existed for territorial commands, but the majority of volunteers wore the Óglaiġ na h-Éireann badge. It was worn by rebels in the 1916 Easter Rising. It was rarely worn by the Irish Republican Army in the War of Independence as doing so could lead to a prison term. Eventually the Free State Army adopted the badge for their new uniforms before the Irish Civil War.
Description
The design of the Army Badge which is prescribed in Defence Force Regulations as follows: "...As a component of rank insignia and which is specified in the Third Schedule as the form of the cap badge, shall be comprised of a sunburst - An Gal Gréine, surmounted by an 8-pointed star, a point of the star being uppermost, bearing the letters "FF" (in Gaelic characters) encircled by a representation of an ancient warrior's sword belt on which the words "Óglaigh na hÉireann" are inscribed."
Inscription
- "FF" - Fianna Fáil - Soldiers of Ireland[1] (not named after the political party, Fianna Fáil)
- "Óglaiġ na h-Éireann" - Volunteers/Warriors of Ireland[2]
Current usage and variations
Irish Army
In the Army, the badge is worn by all ranks on all head-dress. Enlisted and non-commissioned ranks wear a "Stay-Brite" anodised aluminium brass replica. Some enlisted ranks, particularly older soldiers, wear the original Brass Badge which, although no longer official issue, is considered a symbol of lengthy service. Commissioned Officers and Senior NCOs, such as Sergeant Major and Battalion/Regimental Quartermaster, wear a larger dark bronze version. This tradition is assumed to have begun on the death of Michael Collins during the Irish Civil War when officers dulled their badges with boot polish in Commemoration of the General. The bronze badge was introduced in 1924.
These two variations are worn by all ranks. However, on the Service Dress Uniform, the ranks of Colonel, Brigadier, Major and Lieutenant General and the Head Chaplain have a gold bullion version on a red cloth backing. The same version is worn on the Mess Dress Uniform peaked cap by all officers.
Irish Naval Service
In the Naval Service, the "Stay-Brite" version of the badge is worn by Seamen and Leading Seaman on their cap, while all ranks wear the Stay-Brite and Brass versions on the operational beret.
Irish Air Corps
The Air Corps previously wore army uniforms. On the introduction of a distinct blue Air Corps uniform in 1994, cloth cap badges were introduced for the forage caps and peaked caps; these have a smaller less detailed version of the badge embroidered into the design, which incorporates an eagle.
See also
External links
References
- ^ Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977). in (advisory ed. Tomás de Bhaldraithe): Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla (in Irish). Dublin: An Gúm, pp. 512, 540. ISBN 1-85791-037-0.
- ^ Ibid, pp. 489, 921.
- Irish Defence Force Regulation A9. Dress (1962) (unrestricted)
- A Pictorial History of Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Defence Forces of Ireland. DFPP (2006)
| Irish Defence Forces |  |
|---|---|
 Irish Army |  Irish Naval Service |  Irish Air Corps |
|
| Army Reserve | Naval Service Reserve |
