SHAH ALAM: Digital caps for the RMN. It appears that the RMN had issued digital flat caps as part of its digital camouflage which were introduced three years ago. Previously the navy light blue digital camo – known as the operational uniform – were worn with the beret.
The ball cap was part of the digital camo when introduced, however it has not seen widespread usage since then. It is unclear why the ball cap was not issued earlier but RMN Chief Adm. Reza Mohd Sany started wearing it during visits to operational units earlier this year.
The mass usage of the digital cap was seen at the opening ceremony of Eks KerisMas at Kuantan this morning. As I was unable to make it to Kuantan this morning, I am using the pictures and article by Air Times for this post.
From the pictures, it appears that the digital cap issued looked different from the ones that were made earlier.
Anyhow according to Air Times, that Eks KerisMas will also incorporate Eks TamingSari which will include missile firings, the MBDA Exocet MM40 Block II and the MBDA Sea Skua. It did not say which RMN ships will fire the missile though. It will be either one of the Lekiu class, KD Jebat and KD Lekiu or the Kasturi class corvettes, KD Kasturi and KD Lekir.
The Sea Skua will be fired from a Super Lynx, of course.
— Malaysian Defence
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View Comments (32)
It's called a utility cover, and I'm pretty sure the the army have a version of it, although I can't say if it's standard issue
Such cap is used widespread by both thais and filipino marine corps, considering they formed their marine corps according to USMC pattern and may adopt the caps as well
What is Eks?
Reply
Exercise..
dundun,
It's called an 8 pointed cover or utility cover in marine corps parlance.
Outside the USN and USMC, It is only used by navies and marine corps that borrow US traditions. Our navy inherited Royal Navy traditions including dress and is one of the few that wears a beret as a result, which is something never worn by navies in the US pattern. I don't support our wearing both the beret and the 8 pointed cover because it suggests that we are ignorant of the world's most well known dress traditions (as well as our own) and are willing to copy others without regard. It could hardly have been worse if we had adopted a USN style sidecap to complement our uniforms.
On the other hand this wanton mixing does parallel the great variety of vessels we have.
Will be interesting to see the results if feedback forms were provided to the rank and file; asking them about how they feel about the digital camo.
Personally, I don’t see the purpose of issuing camo to RMN ship crews. We’re just following or copying what the Americans, Australians and others have done. No idea what No. it is but the dark blue trousers, light blue shirt and beret that has long been worn looks smart.
I find that having Anti ship missile equipped a good practical way to arm the toothless NGPV. Itd be great if the heli ccan potentially carry NSM in the future witn a longer range.
Off topic
Romania is the latest country to choose the Gowind for its navy.
The contract is for four Gowind corvettes (1 biuld in france, 3 to be built locally) for US1.355 billion, by far the cheapest Gowind contract to date.
The countries so far choosing Gowinds are Egypt, Malaysia, UAE, and Romania.
There is no purpose of specific camo for both navy and airforce personnels. As is for the Bomba. The airforce and navy are better off wearing either their normal non-camo work attire, or wearing standard army camo.
Outside of the malaysian army, there is IMO little regard to military historic traditions and honors. I disgress for example the esteblishment of new airforce skuadrons when there are plenty of historic skuadron numbers are still disbanded.
@ sg way
Dont look only at the ship. Look at the overall picture. Arming the current NGPVs will not change for example the current situation where chinese coast guard ship is harassing oil and gas exploration and production activities (latest with Sarawak Shell F14 platform and Sapura Esperanza)
"Will be interesting to see the results if feedback forms were provided to the rank and file; asking them about how they feel about the digital camo. No idea what No. it is but the dark blue trousers, light blue shirt and beret that has long been worn looks smart."
The blue solid colour uniform was No. 2B. It had to be tucked in and tended to be tighter fitting than the current camo. The fabric was also less breathable than the camo. I doubt it was at all comfortable to work in or have a parade in.
Unfortunately it also tended to be the only uniform that ratings were issued and was worn everywhere, even through basic training and to the range.
Also it would only have looked smart (subjective) when clean. One benefit of navies wearing camo is to hide dirt and stains sustained in the course of work.
I'm for the navy's use of camo, just not for the utility cover. Makes no sense having Commonwealth style dress and service uniforms on one hand, and US style working uniforms on the other.
AM
It's a cap whatever it's a non issue. Some military even use regular cap to save cost.
If we talk about tradition we might as well as use songkok not only for no. 1 dress but even in a patrol or general duties like the old days (ww2 and the emergencies) but we don't and for good reason.
Also, about the navy and camo thing? I gusss because navy personnel do land operation/exercise as well and wearing that light blue shirt and black trouser made little sense
http://i.imgur.com/bBqZUdd.jpg