Barrayaran Imperial Service military uniforms
Military uniforms used by the Barrayaran Imperial Service currently exist in several types, which are worn depending on the requirements of a unit or individual, ranging from ceremonial uniforms to combat dress. All the officer uniforms and dress troop uniforms are accompanied by black cavalry boots, referring to the main combatant Arm of Time of Isolation, the Cavalry.
Ordinarily, military uniforms and swords are issued by the Imperial Service, which provide them in a sufficient quantity: if a soldier is abruptly assigned to a distant post, the local logistics provide him of all uniform types. The material used in Service-issued uniforms is applicable to both officer and enlisted. Officers may have specially tailored uniforms, and tend to spend more to get a personally tailored appearance. In situations, such as embassy duty, where Imperial Service members are on duty in places that civilian clothing is required, troops are given a civilian clothing allowance, while officers have to get their own clothes.
The Imperial Service numbers its uniforms for ease of instruction. Four 'orders' of dress are authorised and prescribed to be worn on various occasions. A set of collar pins indicate what part of the Service the individual serves in, and rank is indicated by the colour of the collar tabs worn under the assignment pins.
The Emperor of Barrayar wears the Imperial Service uniform without any rank insignia.
Logistics
Issues relating to clothing and equipment are brought back to the responsibility of the Office of General Affairs, Uniforms Section of the Logistics Staff. Within Uniforms Section, study and decisions about the manufacture of the new uniforms and about the requirements of the new effects of equipment are made, although substantial changes have to be approved by the Emperor.
The Office of Uniforms Procurement deals with the procurement of raw materials; within the Regional Commands are one or more "Uniforms Centres". These Centres receive and stockpile raw materials and materials and provide troops assigned of clothing. With these raw materials, Centres produce clothing, ranks and other items of personal equipment. The Centres also have the task of repairing the damaged clothing to make it functional and redistribute it back to the troops. Some Centres are also responsible for the supply of front-line troops.
Union of Military Tailors
The Union of Military Tailors is a dressmaker specializing in the production of clothing for military and police uniforms. It is an Agency of the Imperial Service, jointly supervised by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Interior. Sees of the Union of Military Tailors, in addition to the headquarters in Vorbarr of Sultana, which occupy an entire city block, can be found in 50 other major cities on the three planets. In any permanent military installation are tailors, while there are 21 large atelier of spreading the most varied assortment of uniforms, accessories, trappings, perfume, jewellery, etc., with a particular accuracy of packages tailored. Even special credit facilities open and instalments are planned for students, given the expensive cost of its items.
Full Dress
Full Dress is the most elaborate order worn by the Imperial Service. Full dress is rarely worn except by the Imperial Guards.
Full Dress is worn whenever a parade is attended or ordained by the monarch or a member of the Imperial Family, including ceremonial parades, state funerals, and public duties around royal residences (such as the Changing of the Guard). It is also worn at formal occasions that a civilian would call a "Black Tie" event and when civilians would wear a tuxedo or High end suit. Emperors wear only Red and Blues uniforms when in formal meetings or ceremonies.
Full Dress is also known as "Red-and-Blues", and consists of golden bullioned red and blue double breasted hussar high stand-collared tunic and pants, and tall riding boots. Wearing the Red-and-Blues, Vor officers carry two ceremonial swords. While for most services, formations and units exists only one version of the Full Dress uniforms, some units could wear their own versions of Red and Blues uniforms. Since the foundation of the imperial military during the 222 years were introduced ten models of parade uniforms.
Full Dress Red-and-blues parade uniform
Enlisted Full Dress Red-and-blues parade uniform
Full Dress Red-and-blues parade uniform (second half XXX Century, "Gregorian Uniform")
Enlisted Full Dress Red-and-blues parade uniform (second half XXX Century, "Gregorian Uniform")
Emperor's Uniform
The parade uniforms "Red and Blue" are the uniforms that were instituted first for the imperial military. They were introduced since the foundation of the Imperial Militias by Emperor Dorca the Just in 2791. Since the foundation of the Imperial Militias, each reigning Emperor and every Crown Prince wear the parade uniform in ceremonies and most important occasions that do not involve the ordinary sessions of the Council of Counts. Often, Emperors design their own parade uniforms, in order to distinguish themselves from ranks and files of troops, and could, obviously, vary them more times. This could mark an important political choice, underlining the rejection of the "Army-with-a-nation" concept.
Dorca Vorbarra's first Red-and-Blues parade uniform
Dorca Vorbarra's second Red-and-Blues parade uniform
Yuri Vorbarra's Red-and-Blues parade uniform (when Crown Prince)
Reigning Yuri Vorbarra's Red-and-Blues parade uniform
Late years Ezar Vorbarra's Red-and-Blues parade uniform
Dress Greens
No. 1 Dress, sometimes referred to as "Dress Greens", is a universal ceremonial uniform. No. 1 Dress is only worn on ceremonial occasions; it is also regularly required to be worn by a short list of units, senior staff officers, i.e. above the rank of Lieutenant General, and officers appointed as aides to the Emperor. Dress Greens is equivalent to Suit.
For most regiments and corps Dress Greens consist of a long-sleeved white shirt, a dark green double breasted high stand-collared tunic (with a left over right closure on the tapered yoke and a right-side secure) and cavalry trousers with red profiles, with a green peaked cap, as well as half-length riding boots. The officer sabre is worn by officers from Dress Greens up to Red and Blues. Different units are distinguished by the golden frieze of the cap, stripes on the trousers, as well as badges.
Tunic yoke comes up across the shoulder to the top shoulder seam (paired by a running the entire circumference of the tunic, dividing it along a line hidden by the uniform belt). The standing collar has square corners and is about 1.25" tall; it closes snugly and includes a modesty panel behind closure; collar edges are closed with two eye hooks. The back of the tunic has princess seams that run vertically and turn outward to intersect the arm-hole seam at the vertical centre.
The belt is of leather (tailor-made) or a syntho-leather (standard issue) material. It is 2" in width, without loops, but a single large snap or rivet is visible 1" from the buckle. The buckle is constructed from a horizontally brushed metal, or metal-looking (standard issue) material and is adorned with the Three Stars at the centre. The buckle size is approximately 66.7 mm high and 104.5 mm wide with 12.7 mm radius rounded corners with a slight horizontal curve. The belt is worn with the snap to the right of the wearer.
Officers boots are knee-high, black, lace-less, smooth, leather material riding (dress) boots. Boots are mostly privately purchased (along with the sabre) and they are to be without any stretch panels, buckles, snap tabs, or decoration and with conservative heels. Finally, gloves are black, leather or leather-like, enclosed fingered, non-textured, fitted.
The Dress Greens has two versions: winter (tougher stuff) and summer. In general, fabric is a medium weight suiting material: the ancient Gabardine style weave is most favoured for tailor-made uniforms. If the wearer has to wear epaulettes, these are golden with tassels and a matching button head on the top board closest to the neck.
Officer dress uniform
Enlisted personnel dress uniform
Undress Greens
The No. 2 Service Uniform, also known as "Undress Greens" consists of a forest green single breasted high stand-collared tunic, a long-sleeved cream shirt and cavalry trousers. Boots are hobnailed jackboots for officers and combat boots for troops. Undress Greens is equivalent to Business Casual. Undress Greens are one step up from fatigues, and are regularly required wear for jobs which don't involve getting dirty - staff positions, bridge duty shipboard, etc. In a general sense, they are appropriate for a very wide range of office situations, including meetings with senior people.
The Undress Greens features a closed jacket with seven buttons. On their high collar officers and enlisted soldiers wear rank insignia and, above these, the insignia denoting their branch of service. Proficiency badges are worn on the upper left chest. Above this are the ribbons for medals and commendations which have been earned for various actions, duties and training. Above the ribbons are qualification badges, such as the paratrooper badges.
If a military unit is assigned to bureaucratic duty, military personnel can use standard long trousers and dress boots.
As for the Dress Greens, also the Undress Greens has two versions: winter (tougher stuff) and summer.
Officer undress uniform
Officer undress office uniform
Enlisted personnel undress uniform
Enlisted personnel undress uniform
Fatigues
The No. 3 Fatigues and Battledress is the type of uniform used as combat uniforms, as opposed to formal uniform worn at parades and functions. The Fatigues is composed of a field jacket and trousers, worn with beret, helmet or camouflaged hat. Black shirt and combat boots complete the uniform. It is used mostly for grubby duties, but also acceptable in offices that are less formal.
Officer fatigues
Enlisted personnel fatigues
Battledress
The Ground Combat Uniform (GCU) is the combat uniform worn by the Barrayaran Imperial Service. The Imperial Service uses the Ground Camouflage Pattern, which blends khaki, grey and green to work in desert and woodland. The colour scheme of the GCU is composed of a slate grey, terrain ground and foliage green handmade pattern. The top consists of a standard GCU four pocket jacket with a green T-shirt worn under it. The trousers are standard GCU pants with cargo pockets. The material is synthetic cotton. Ordinarily, the jacket is worn outside the trousers, but under some circumstances it may be worn inside trousers. The uniform features velcro fasteners on the pockets. The GCU is worn with the combat helmet-visor or a beret as appropriate. The GCU is authorized for year-round wear by all personnel and is the normal service uniform for external or tactical situations. The web belt is worn with the trousers, under the jacket. A black pistol belt may be worn on the outside of the blouse as directed by local commanders during services which are expected to be without significant risk or during military support to riot suppression. Finally, combat boots are required. Trousers may be worn bloused or not.
Many soldiers, especially infantry troops, carry a personal (and non standard-issue) “backup” weapon of some sort, despite the fact that each soldier is issued a hand weapon in addition to the heavier rifle or other weapon they may carry. Most often these are low-tech weapons like blades or chemically fired projectile weapons. One reason cited by many troops is that they fear a dampening field will render their issued weapons inert. Others include the need for sentry removal and utility purposes, such as daggers and knives. Ancient daggers and knives are carried mostly by Vor officers in all branches of service. The official military doctrine encourages soldiers to carry anything they feel they need to do their job, within the limits of unit safety and practicality. Ultimately, each squad or team leader is responsible for approving his team’s personal weapons. Vors' exclusive privilege to carry arms do not apply insofar privately-purchased weapons are carried in Emperor's service. If a non-Vor soldier honourably retires and/or discharge, he may be authorized by the Emperor's decree granting him the status of Imperial Liegeman to carry arms (but not to use them).
Jacket
The GCU jacket uses velcro-backed attachments to secure items such as name tapes, camouflage rank insignia, and shoulder patches and tabs and the Barrayaran flag patch. Near sensor track reduction is incorporated to minimize the infra-red silhouette.
The jacket's closed collar is always worn up. The front closure is closed with a zip and reinforced with velcro. The chest pockets, cuffs, and elbow pad insert pockets also utilize velcro closure. Skills tabs are worn on the left sleeve pocket flap. Sleeves are to be worn down at all times, unless different commander's order.
Trousers
The GCU trousers are worn with a two-inch synthetic silk web belt, and features velcro pouches for knee pad inserts, two forward-tilted thigh storage pockets with elastic drawstring and velcro for closure during movement, and two calf storage pockets one on each pant leg with a velcro closure.
Footwear
The GCU is worn with black Combat Boots and socks. The Officer Combat Boots are made of brown pebbled leather, with hobnailed synthetic reinforced soles and heels (the same of Trooper Combat Boots). Trousers are worn tucked inside. Officers' boots are knee-high and form-fitting, and often private purchases of superior quality.
The Trooper Combat Boot is a black-coloured, temperate weather combat boot with a moisture-resistant, rough-side-out cattle hide leather and nylon duck upper. It contains a waterproof breathable membrane and integrated safety features limited fire-, conductive heat-, and liquid fuel-penetration protection. The sole consists of a three-layer, shock-absorbing soling system with an abrasion- and slip-resistant solid rubber out-sole. It has a combination eyelet and speed-lace lacing system.
Battle armours
In combat confrontation situations, military and security personnel wear personal protection suits. Armours are classified into two main classes, according their degree of protection:
- Half armour: Half-armours are combat armours that are not rated for space operations and that do not have built-in weapons. There are multiple grades of half-armour, ranging from "Heavy Riot Grade" to the "Paramilitary grade", to the "Military Grade". Military half-armours consist of a nerve-disruptor shield net, a flexible torso-armour for projectile weapons, several tools and belts for weapons, rappel harness and spool, emergency oxygen, and other modular devices. A power pack generates a plasma arc mirror field and over the head is a helmet with a communications and telemetry capability.
- Full armour: Full Armours are heavy combat armours rated also for space combat; sometimes they are called power armour. A space armour has built-in weapons, full telemetry information, and is powered because it would otherwise be too heavy to move in. They have also some propulsion system in the armour, allowing travel in void space.
Half armour
Half-armours are combat armours that are not rated for space operations and that do not have built-in weapons. The Half Armour is a type of armour used by many Barrayaran military and para-military organisations. The Half Armour consists of large rigid plates molded to fit parts of the body. It can range from complete armoured suits to individual pieces such as chest plates, helmets, greaves, etc. Half-armours are stronger and thicker than the flak armour used by the common soldiers and it provides the wearer a much higher chance of surviving. The most notable disadvantage of Half Armour is that it can be tiring to wear during extended combat. There are multiple grades of half-armour, ranging from "Heavy Riot Grade" to the "Support Grade". As a general and common feature, half armours lack built-in weapons and are not meant for space operations, although variants (especially for the latter purpose) do exist.
- Riot Half-Armour: the Riot Half-Armour is used during widespread and sustained riots or other forms of civil unrest. It is mainly a protective gear, designed to be significantly stronger and thicker than standard riot gear, but not as proactive as paramilitary half-armours. The riot half armour features a military helmet with built-in low light optics, a combination IR/white light lamp and gas mask, and a small spike protruding from the tip of it. The helmet gives low visibility sight while in sneaking between 7:00PM to 5:00AM or while indoors and its lens have a stronger glow in the dark than standard riot gear helmets. Compared to the standard riot gear, the shoulder pads and the chest plate are bulkier. Also, the armour plates on the forearms are much thicker. An armoured shield completes the equipment. The Riot Half-Armour currently used is the RDA-HA-7.
- Paramilitary Half-Armour: the Paramilitary Half-Armour represents the standard special intervention armour of the various law enforcement agencies. It is similar to the lighter Riot Armours, but also incorporates a storm coat; the helmet features a photo-visor, encrypted micro-bead for vocal communications and an amplifier for issuing orders to crowds, while a small light source can be attached to the shoulder plates next to the video-recorder. Protection for the upper legs and for the arms is also provided. A power pack provides enough energy for a week's continuous use of the armour's various systems. The Paramilitary Half-Armour currently used by law enforcement/security agencies is the ADA-HA-5.
- Line Half-Armour: the Military Half-Armour is the standard combat armour of the Imperial Service, which completely protects the wearer's body and features a suite of advanced technologies. The Military Half-Armour currently used is the KMA-HA-3.
- Support Half-Armour: The Support Half-Armour is designed to withstand concentrated small arms fire and protect the wearer from low-grade explosives. Its power-assisted exoskeleton lets the wearer use the heaviest weapons available. What heavy dropsuits lack in mobility they make up for with defences. Such half-armours are the closest equipment to the full armours, albeit they lack of the massive protection granted to the latter ones.
Line Half-Armour
The Military Half-Armour is the standard combat armour of the Imperial Service, which completely protects the wearer's body and features a suite of advanced technologies that combines excellent protection, good mobility, and sufficient versatility for mission-specific alterations. Such half armours are intended for standard combat operations or those in which objectives are likely to change at a moment’s notice.
Military Half-Armour is constructed in two layers. The outer face is a hard, nano-crystalline metal veneer bonded to an inner layer of high performance, thermo-set, molecular polyethene. The outer layer material is used as a form of armour due to its lightweight nature and impact-resistant structure. The inner layer of Military Half-Armour acts as an energy-absorbent padding for energy dispersal, and helps prevent blunt trauma effects from high velocity impacts. A dataslate is usually worn on the right armoured forearm gauntlet, allowing the soldier instant access to his commander's latest commands. It also monitors vital signs, and health matrix of the wearer at all times so that his conditio can instantly assessed.
The helmet is equipped with a rebreather, photo-reactive visor, night vision sensors, targeting and ranger-finder information, encrypted micro-bead for vocal communications and a clip attachment to the side for a light source and vid-recorder, whilst the suit itself incorporates an integral sensors unit accessed via wrist display and attachments for a paragrav. As defensive means, military half-armours consist of a nerve-disruptor shield net, a flexible torso-armour for projectile weapons, several tools and belts for weapons, rappel harness and spool, emergency oxygen, and other modular devices. A separate power pack generates a plasma arc mirror field and over the head is a helmet with a communications and telemetry capability. The power for these systems is provided for by a small power pack, which allows for a week of continuous use before requiring replacement. The Military Half-Armour currently used is the KMA-HA-3.
Full armours
Full armours are heavy combat suits rated for heavy combat such as boarding actions; sometimes they are also called powered armour. When operating a full armour, the soldier is nerve-synchronized directly into the computer control interface, allowing him to wear and control the suits like an extension of their own body in a similar albeit very simplified way to those used by jump-pilots. A full armour has built-in weapons, full telemetry information, and is powered because it would otherwise be too heavy to move in. Full armours contain a full exo-skeleton and a complex arrangement of fibre-bundle muscles that allow a soldier to fight with deadly skill in close quarters, where agility is not of paramount importance. These battle-suits are comprised of an outer shell of heavy-gauge ceramics and plasteel composite plates, mounted on an exoskeleton with servo-assisted interfaces to enhance movement, as well as with activable magnetic soles. Its composition allows the wearer to survive hits from high firepower. Offensively, it provides the strength to maintain mobility while serving as a solid heavy-weapons platform in open-field combat. Various sensor enable the operator to be fully aware of his environment, both externally and internally, and to monitor such things as radiation levels, proximity of biological entities and the life signals of the body.
Meanwhile, threat detectors and motion sensors aid the wearer in avoiding enemy weapon and other situational dangers. In addition, the armour is fully equipped with a range of automatic targeters, allowing the tracking of targets with accuracy. Full armours can be linked to each other with camera-display units, allowing a soldier to see what their fellow soldiers see. All suits are capable of such performances, but it is usual for only the commander's armour to be setted to broadcast such signals. A full armour contains its own independent power supply and fully enclosed life-support functions. There are three broad armour types, in addition to the civilian-derivated heavy work suit.
- Line Armour: the Line Armour is the basic armour used by the Imperial Service. Each armoured suit is customized to fit each individual. The armour is designed to give a trooper many times more strength, to let them jump over buildings at ease, and to deflect enemy fire. The Line Armour currently used is the Terminus LA-C-35 class.
- Command Armour: The Command Armour is a powerful variant of the full armour, meant to be used by unit commanders. The main difference is that the Command Armour has much more communications equipment, and controls. The Command Armour currently used is the Devastator CA-S-60 class.
- Vanguard Armour: the Vanguard Armour is a type of powered armour for reconnaissance purposes. It is a (relatively) lightly armoured variant of the full armour which is able to jump and travel faster than regular power armour. However, since the armour is lighter, it means it is less armed than the other ones and it is used in missions where protected mobility is key. The Vanguard Armour currently used is the VA-R-90 class.
The close-combat powered gauntlet is the default equipment of all full armours: it is an over-sized, armoured gauntlet that generates an energy field around it, capable of violently disrupting solid matter it touches. A close-combat powered gauntlet is large and slow in combat, and so the bearer must be willing to risk the blows of his enemy before he can strike backwith a user's strength vastly augmented. The real killing might of a close-combat powered gauntlet comes not from its piston-enhanced grip, though this alone could crush a man's helmet and the skull within, but rather the disruption field that surrounds it. This field tears into matter at a molecular level and anything that remains for more than a moment within its grip is ripped apart. Keeping these superior energy fields charged requires heavy cables linked to the armour's power system. Currently the general issue model is the POF-6.
Line Armour
The Line Armour is the basic full armour used by the Imperial Service. Each armoured suit is customized to fit each individual. The armour is designed to give a trooper many times more strength, to let them jump over buildings at ease, and to deflect enemy fire. The Line Armour currently used is the Terminus LA-C-35 class. A Line Armour is worn in very specific circumstances to provide the maximal tactical benefit, such as during starship boarding actions where the cramped conditons and tight starship corridors maximise the effects of a superior firepower while downplaying his lack of maneuverability, as the environment means flanking attacks are unlikely.
Line Armours are protected by a thick, dense nano-crystalline alloy armour with an highly impact-resistance structure, while a reflective liquid metal coating can reflect medium-grade laser fire. Standard armour plasma arc mirror field generators are mounted on the back. A Line Armour may carry a jetpack with repulsor jet engines: these powerful thrusters allow the operator to vault battlefield obstacles and to make bounding leaps. By firing off the jets to slow descent, it is possible for a soldier in a Line Armour to make a combat drop by leaping from an airborne transport aircraft.
A Line Armour-equipped unit is also deployed into combat on standard battlefields when their heavy weapons can be used for long-range strike. Although they can also be equipped with weaponry that allows them to fight at longer ranges, it is brutal assaults that they are primarily designed for. Line Armours are designed to compensate for the recoil of light weapons fire and to carry a variety of weapon fits, but the most common armament is a fire weapon (plasma/laser/neural disruptor) and close-combat powered gauntlet: this configuration allows an operator to engage the enemy at medium range while advancing, before delivering a blowing assault with the close-combat powered gauntlet. Some units opt to carry a chainsaw-powered gauntlet. Within each squad, one soldier is often designated a fire support role: the armour's massive, fibre-bundle muscles and integrated sensors allow a soldier to carry an heavier array of weaponry than his half-armoured comrades. Such armours may carry an assault cannon (projectile weapon), a missile launcher or an heavy plasma gun.
Certain squads are also configured specially for close combat, with no ranged weaponry whatsoever. These squads are most often deployed on major starships or battlestations, where the enemy cannot engage them with long-range firepower before the attack. The most favoured configuation for these squads is a Powered mace and an Additional armour shield generator. This configuration is usually employed when the enemy is likely to employ weaponry that may pierce the armour: an Additional armour shield generator contains a small power field generator that can protect a soldier in melee. Additional upgrades, from multi-target fire-control systems, to homing beacons, further enhance the fighting abilities of the armour.
Aiguillettes
The Aiguillette is a plaited cord with twin metal tags suspended from one shoulder, a very old and prominent distinction worn by certain individual officers including General officers, military members of the War Ministry, certain Aides de camp, Military Attachés etc.; they are also worn in Red-and-Blues only, by all officers, warrant officers and non commissioned officers of the Household Cavalry and by Musicians (and sometimes Trumpeters) of heavy cavalry.
An aiguillette should be worn by entitled officers when the Emperor or his Imperial Auditor representative is present at State occasions,on parade in celebration of The Emperor’s Birthday, when ordered on the occasion at which a Member of the Imperial family is present, during official and public occasions, when visiting Barrayaran foreign military establishments and foreign military establishments on formal occasions, when inspecting and taking the salute or as a spectator at parades, when meeting or attending upon important persons in an official capacity, at Investitures and Audiences of the Sovereign, at funerals and memorial services and in general on any other occasion, when directed by the Ministry of War. Aiguillettes are only worn when the wearer is on the business that carries the entitlement.
The standard pattern of aiguillette is 14 inches gold wire cord, gilt metal tags at ends of plaits; plaits; and cords, front and back, are joined together by a short gold braid strap in which is worked a buttonhole. It is worn from the left shoulder over the cross belts (if any) and over medals, hooked into front of high collar.
Stritsh
The Stritsh is a white undershirt horizontally striped in various colors. It is an iconic uniform garment worn by some branches of the Imperial Service: the Space Forces, the Landing Forces and others. The implicit meaning of the Stritsh is that a soldier cannot be a real badass if he does not have Stritsh. Soldiers do not wear a striped Stritsh have white undershirts.
- Space Forces: Black stripes
- Landing Forces: Light blue stripes
- Police elite and tactical units: Green stripes
- Internal Troops: Red stripes
- Civil Defence: Orange stripes
Retired soldierss
There are certain ceremonial functions where wear of a military uniform by honourably and medically retired or discharged people might be authorized, but they would usually be ceremonial in nature, but in general, retired military personnel do not wear the uniform. There is also an official list of functions where retired military personnel may not wear the uniform.
Veterans may wear their dress uniform as it was upon their retirement in any place anybody would wear formal wear. Any 20-year retiree and any medically discharged former soldier is authorized to do so. Retired personnel may wear uniforms at ceremonies or official functions when the dignity of the occasion and good taste dictate it; for example, wearing a uniform is appropriate for memorial services, weddings, funerals, balls, military parades, ceremonies in which any active or reserve unit is participating, and meetings or functions of military associations. It is common, for recently retired soldiers, to wear uniforms at every formal event that may justify their use, especially if they move after the end of the military service: it is a sign and announcement to the local community that the wearer has an honourable past life (or at least he is able to work, due to the past vocational training). The habit is widespread among (former) officers as well as among (former) enlisted troops.
On the other hand, Battle Dress Uniforms or Fatigues are used in the civilian daily life, mostly because they are well fabricated clothes, resistant to harsh use conditions. It is not uncommon to see industrial workers wearing such an uniform, or to see an old veteran who uses a fatigue for his garden works.
However, retired personnel are strictly prohibited from wearing the uniform in connection with personal enterprises, business activities, or while attending or participating in any demonstration, assembly or activity for the purpose of furthering personal or partisan views on political or social issues. This is because the uniform represents the will of spilling blood in defence of the Emperor and of the Imperium; the will of spilling blood is an higher purpose than private enrichment and it is incompatible with a view expressed by only a fraction of the Imperium.
Although almost all personal elements are retained, the retirees' Uniform may not be worn with the departmental Service insignia, such as Horus Eyes for Imperial Security, of personal weapons, unless they are of private (and authorized) purchase or the individual retiree is specifically authorized to retain each of them. Departmental service insignia are specifically returned to the Imperial Service during the retirement ceremony on the last service day.
Sometimes, draft retirees of some branches modify a previously standard issue: it is a well-rooted tradition in ground-surveillance units assigned to Orbital Forces Command or to the Space Forces (most notably customized caps and berets). These traditions are well known to regulatory bodies of the Imperial Service, and little or nothing is usually done to discourage them, in order to strengthen the military esprit de corps. The basic requirement is that the customization is not otrageus for the Imperial Service and that still vaguely resemble their original service uniforms; as a result, many men returning to their homes wear some truly gaudy and flashy tunics with extra aiguillettes, shoulder insignia, and more.
On the other hand, draftees still in active service face several limitations in the customizing personal uniforms, even if the customization occurs on the very last days of services. A conscript next to leave, especially in the cavalry and in elite units but also in ordinary units with little tolerant commanders, which is wears an heavily modified uniform risks the leave being delayed a month or even longer.