DRESS REGULATIONS
South African Military Veterans Organisation (SAMVO) Dress Regulations
SAMVO Dress Regulations V5.2020.06
The Regulations below supersede all previous versions and are effective as of 1 June 2020
There can be no doubt that SAMVO Members are proud of their legacy as South African Defence Force and Police Veterans. Our pride is judged in part by the manner in which we dress and conduct ourselves during public parades and services globally. Therefore, a neat and uniform appearance by all SAMVO Veterans contributes to building that special pride and esprit de corps among our members.
Remembrance parades and associated services are prolifically broadcast on television and via social media therefore we owe it as a matter of pride and respect that care is taken in being properly attired. The adage “Modesty is Best” should be embraced at all times when wearing non-official awards and association emblems and our members should not embellish themselves unduly.
It is SAMVO’s preferred position that any device, lapel badge or tie pin which contains a national flag emblem of any sort should not be worn. Exceptions would be SAMVO regalia or official issue SADF/SANDF or SAP/SAPS awards and proficiency badges.
Members are forbidden to wear medals, decorations and awards which have not been formally issued either during active service, by Defence HQ Ceremonial Pretoria or by another Veteran organisation recognised by SAMVOINT. Service medals, decorations and awards are readily available commercially and even if a member is entitled to (or feels entitled to) wear such an emblem it is not acceptable to do so unless they have been formally issued!
Members are advised to follow the available channels in obtaining outstanding entitlements by making enquiry through the SAMVO Website or by communicating directly with their Regional Organisation (SAMVOA, SAMVOZA, SAMVOE and SAMVOTA). Whilst acquiring these items is a slow and painstaking process and bearing in mind that results cannot be guaranteed, simply wearing an unauthorised emblem cannot be condoned.
To ensure member compliance with these principles, standards have been set for dress and conduct. It is mandatory for all members to ensure that they are appropriately dressed when wearing SAMVO attire and to assist others when noticing something out of place.
It is the responsibility of the National, Regional and Club Master-at-Arms to ensure that our members are informed and correctly dressed at all times. Set out below is the Dress Order governing how, when and where we should dress for a wide range of occasions which Veterans may find themselves attending.
We have adopted the SADF dress code numbers as a reference for each applicable dress
DRESS ORDER
1) Dress Code Number 1A:
Full Ceremonial Review Dress Code 1A is to be worn when participating or attending any of the ceremonies listed below which are of global significance
a) SS Mendi Memorial Service – 21 February
b) ANZAC Day – 25 April
c) SADF Wall of Remembrance Service (Pretoria) – last Sunday of May at which we commemorate members of the SA Defence Force who passed away in service of their country between 31 May 1961 (the coming of the Republic) and 27 April 1994 (the birth of the SANDF)
d) Memorial Day – USA (last Monday in May);
e) Boshoed Dag – 26 August to commemorate the end of the Bush War; and
f) Remembrance Day – 11 November at which we remember all who served and died during battle or whilst on operational service
2) General
a) SAMVO Green Beret (South African Infantry green);
b) SAMVO cap badge;
c) Corps balkie, with 5mm spacing between beret selvedge and balkie;
d) 5mm spacing between balkie and cap badge;
e) The beret is worn with the SAMVO badge above the left eye and one index finger width spacing above the left eyebrow;
f) The beret size adjustment ribbons at the rear of the headpiece should be tied off and ends neatly tucked into the beret seam;
g) Black or dark Navy Blazer with SAMVO issue badge on left pocket;
h) Non-veteran members to trim the word “Veteran” on badge issue;
i) White shirt;
j) During cold weather a plain fine knit white, black or navy jersey may be worn under the blazer;
k) SAMVO issue Association tie, tied in a manner so that the point of the tie is level with the belt buckle;
l) Grey flannel trousers for men and Grey skirt or trousers for ladies;
m) Black belt with a modest buckle;
n) Black socks; and
o) Black shoes, preferably lace up.
3) Left Chest
a) Only Gazetted officially issued full size service medals and decorations may be worn on the left chest in the correct order and with the correct ribbons attached.
b) Australian National Honours take precedence over SADF/SANDF awards.
c) Australian Federal Police Honours take precedence over SADF/SANDF awards.
d) Australian State Honours issued and worn in WA and NT are worn with lower precedence to the SADF/SANDF rack.
e) Either the Swing or Court mount format is acceptable.
Medals should be set up so that medal rims hang equal and even at the bottom edges. Whilst ribbon lengths may vary the “drop” from the top of the ribbon bar to the bottom of the medal should not exceed 100mm overall – for full size medals.
f) Medals are worn in a fashion which is level or parallel (horizontal) to the ground when viewed from the observer’s perspective.
g) Right lapel.
. i) Service Corps badge equal and opposite the senior lapel pin worn on the left lapel.i) Service Corps badge equal and opposite the senior lapel pin worn on the left lapel.
ii) Modesty is best, it is the SAMVO preferred position that no other association badges are worn on the right lapel
4) Left Lapel
a) A maximum of three key association lapel pins may be worn upper and centre of the lapel one directly below the other in order of seniority with 5mm spacing between.
b) Order of seniority for lapel pins is SAMVO followed by your Regimental Association and the RSL lapel pin (or RSA for NZ) as applicable
c) No other lapel pin or association badge other than a combination of the three mentioned above should be worn on the left lapel.
d) The Remembrance Poppy is worn uppermost and centre of the left lapel and senior to association badges.
e) Poppies are worn on Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) in November only.
5) Around the neck
a) Official Orders or Decorations of National or Military significance.
6) Right chest
a) The official SAMVO name badge is positioned in the centre of the right chest from the observer’s perspective, roughly 20cm below the right shoulder seam in line with the top of your medal ribbon bar on the left chest.
b) A maximum of two official issue proficiency badges may be worn above your name badge, centrally positioned and with 5mm spacing in between.
c) The wearing of ONE DECEASED forebear’s full size service medals is permitted.
d) Forebears’ medals are worn 5mm below your name badge.
e) Following our policy of "Modesty is Best", if you have been issued official service medals and you also own forebears’ medals it is the SAMVO preferred position that the forebears’ medals rather be worn by another family member so as not to clutter your dress.
f) Commemorative Medals may not be worn; these include the South African Service Cross (SASC) and SAMVO Veterans Medal (SVM).
g) Australian State Honours issued and worn in the ACT, VIC, NSW, TAS and QLD are worn on the right and do not form any part of the SADF/SANDF rack.
h) Other Awards. You may request written permission to wear Honours and Awards not listed above from the SAMVOA National Master-at-Arms and SAMVO International Master at Arms. Until such written permission is obtained you must refrain from wearing the said awards
7) Right Lapel
a) One Service Corps badge may be worn equal and opposite the most senior lapel pin worn on the left lapel.
b) Following our policy of Modesty is best; it is the SAMVO preferred position that no other association badges are worn on the right lapel.
8) Examples of when Dress Number 1A should be worn
a) When participating in a Remembrance Day march or ceremony.
b) All official SAMVO and other ceremonial parades
c) When laying a wreath, officiating in any capacity as a SAMVO office bearer or when acting as representative of SAMVO in public
d) When participating as a member of an Honour Guard in the event of a SAMVO member’s funeral.
e) At all official federal, state or military functions as an invited guest when acting on behalf of SAMVO.
f) Attendance of a foreign country’s National Day during the day by invitation of that county’s Ambassador or Military Attaché.
9.) General Observations when wearing Dress Number 1A
a) Gloves are not worn, except when participating as pall bearers at a SAMVO member’s funeral in which case white gloves are to be worn
b) Members wearing headdress as spectators should salute during the playing of the “Last Post”.i) When marching in a parade the member nominated to provide the salute will salute on your behalf – unless otherwise stipulated by the Parade Sergeant Major.
c) Headdress should remain on when indoors during ceremonies with the exception of sitting down for a meal or during prayer recitals.
d) When indoors and participating in a medal parade, participants should wear head dress as saluting is required.
i) With SAMVO being a single rank organisation, it should be noted that saluting is done solely as a token of respect for our National emblems being presented and in recognition of the fallen and not to honour the issuing party!
e) Extra care should be taken to ensure that National emblems, medals and awards are properly displayed and worn with due dignity and respect.
f) Masters-at-Arms whether at Club, Regional, National or International level are responsible for their members’ turnout.
g) Members attending Remembrance Day parades who do not meet dress code Number 1A will join the rear of the marching party (and not left out) as participation takes precedence.
h) New members who may not have obtained SAMVO attire yet may wear a plain dark blazer, or dark lounge suit and all other stipulations such head dress, medals and awards apply in this case.
i) Members not in possession of the approved association dress are encouraged to make their best efforts to procure this as soon as possible.
j) Blazers should be buttoned at least one button at all times.
k) Members are discouraged from standing with hands in pockets.
10) Dress Code Number 1B
Ceremonial review Dress Code 1B may be worn at remembrance parades or ceremonies other than the events mentioned in Section 1 above which are of global significance.
a) Dress Code 1B is as for Dress Code Number 1A with the exception that you may obtain written permission from your Regional Chairman to wear your Corps beret.
b) Members attending Remembrance Day parades who do not meet dress code Number 1A will be expected to be placed at the rear of the marching party and not left out as participation takes precedence.
11) Examples of when Dress Number 1B may be worn
a) Ceremonial parades other than remembrance parades or ceremonies other than the events mentioned in Section 1 above.
b) Dedication and thanksgiving services.
c) Unveiling of War Remembrances.
d) Official openings of Military buildings/establishments.
e) Garden parties.
f) Official receptions during the day.
g) At SAMVO members or members family’s funerals if requested by the family and as agreed by the Executive.
h) Attendance of a symposium or to deliver lectures.
i) Semiformal military evening functions.
12) General Observations with respect to wearing Dress Number 1B
a) As for dress Code Number 1A
13) Dress Code Number 2:
“Step Outs” nor non parade attire
a) As for Dress Code Number 1A with the exception that no headdress or medals are worn.
b) Worn when attending meetings which may include other Veterans or Veteran organisations.
14) Monthly club meetings - There is no dress code is stipulated for monthly Club meetings except that of the establishment or venue being attended.
a) Members are encouraged to wear the SAMVO blazer and or tie.
15) Dress Code Number 6: Mess Dress
a) Mess Dress is worn in the evenings after 18H00 when attending SAMVO Formal Dinners
16) General
a) No headdress is worn.
b) No gloves are worn.
c) Ladies wear a formal evening gown.
d) Men wear a formal black dinner suit or ceremonial kilt.
e) The wearing of a waistcoat or cummerbund is optional.
f) White dress shirt.
g) Plain black bow tie not more than 58 mm or less than 25 mm wide.
h) Black belt with modest buckle.
i) Black socks.
j) Black shoes.
17) Left Chest
a) Only Gazetted officially issued miniature service medals and decorations worn on the left chest, in the correct order of wear and with the correct ribbons attached.
b) Commemorative medals such as the South African Service Cross (SASC) and the SAMVO Veterans Medal (SVM) may NOT be worn.
c) Swing or Court mount format is acceptable.
d) Medals should be worn roughly 20cm below shoulder seam or in line with midway between the second and third button of the shirt.
e) Medals may be worn on the left lapel if your jacket is of the “wide” lapel variety.
f) Medals should be set up so that medal rims hang equal and even at the bottom edges whilst ribbon lengths may vary the “drop” from the top of the ribbon bar to the bottom of the medal should not exceed 55mm overall – for miniature medals.
g) Medals are worn in a fashion which is level or parallel to the ground when viewed from the observer’s perspective.
f) Medals should be set up so that medal rims hang equal and even at the bottom edges whilst ribbon lengths may vary the “drop” from the top of the ribbon bar to the bottom of the medal should not exceed 55mm overall – for miniature medals.
h) No association badges or lapel pins are worn on the left lapel.
i) No poppy is worn on the left lapel.
18) Right Chest
a) The official SAMVO name badge is positioned in the centre of the right chest from the observer’s perspective, roughly 20cm below the right shoulder seam in line with the top of your medal ribbon bar on the left chest.
b) Name badges should NOT be worn on the lapel.
c) No proficiency badges are worn above the name badge.
d) No forbearers’ medals are worn on the right chest.
e) No association badges or lapel pins are worn on the right lapel.
f) One Corps badge may be worn positioned in the centre of the right lapel, the miniature or mess kit version being preferable.
19) Examples of when Dress Number 6 may be worn
a) SAMVO formal dinners or evening receptions.
b) Official or public balls, dinners and receptions of a formal nature held during the evening.
20) General Observations with regard to Dress Number 6
a) New members who may not have been able to acquire the necessary formal wear in time may wear a dark lounge suit and tie.
b) Members should ensure that accompanying guests and partners are familiar with the dress code and etiquette as not to be embarrassed.
c) Masters-at-Arms at Club, Regional, National or International level are responsible for their members’ turnout.
SUMMARY
The SAMVO Executive reserves the right to amend or modify these regulations as required. It is expected that SAMVOA, SAMVOZA, SAMVOE and SAMVOTA members will abide by these regulations as agreed when making their membership application.
The Regulations have been made as broad as possible to suit all members without undue inconvenience.
The SAMVO Executive, through its National Master-at-Arms, may refuse members the right to associate with SAMVO and its functions if there are unacceptable deviations from these Regulations including behaviour which, in the opinion of the Executive, brings the organisation into disrepute.
Because we are a single rank Veteran’s organisation, previous rank insignia should not be present on any of the dress formats.
Additional research into the dress regulations of SAMVO will be ongoing and will be amended to this document as required.