Army changes summer mess dress for Brigadiers and above

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 3

Following a review of uniforms to be worn by officers, the Army has brought about a change to remove all regimental affiliations from the ‘summer mess dress’ to be worn by Brigadiers and above.

There will be no change for officers up to the rank of Colonel, who will continue to wear the regimental affiliations on their mess dress.

The changes to the summer mess dress, colloquially known as dress 6(b), will apply to the rank of Brigadier, Major General, Lt General and General. The mess dress will not have any regimental colour on badges and only brass badges will be allowed. The headgear will be black—turban for Sikhs, cap for others. The colourful regimental cummerbund has been done away with and only black is permitted with an Army crest.

The Army headquarters has said only the mess dress has been changed. The Indian Army uses nine types of uniforms, which can be divided into winter and summer category. These are also divided into combat, peacetime uniform, uniform and ceremonial uniform. The ceremonial uniform is also of three types.

The next on the idea list is uniform appearance of officers of the rank of Brigadier and above, implying they will sport same beret, cap, shoulder badge, lanyard and belt.