This photo shows a few different features to the SDAR uniform above. While the Officer Rank is worn on the shoulder, other ranks are worn on either the sleeve or the wrist.
The Shoulder Mokowaewae Sashes are traditional Army colours, black and red, and worn by all Senior Non Commissioned Officers (SNCOs). These Sashes are designed to give the uniform a NZ flair as most of our uniforms and accessories are based on our British ties, traditions and styles. While there are corps' affiliated sashes which can be worn on very special occasions, the black and red ones in this picture are "One Army".
The Sam Browne Belt and the Brown gloves worn by the soldier front right distinguish him as being a Warrant Officer.
The Hat badges and lapel badges worn by the group depict their corps, which in this case is Military Police. The Black belts worn by all individuals in the photo, with the exception of the Warrant Officer in the front, are the new "One Army" Belt which has the NZ Army Crest.
and a wee bit off topic but this is something that i was VERY proud of; when we brought back a NZ unknown soldier...the whole country stopped.
an lastly! the reputation that our 28th (maori) battalion had during WWII.
heres a nice quote in typical british officer style!
With a cheery farewell grin
they had marched off armed to
the teeth, festooned with
Spandaus, Schmeissers, Brens,
tommy-guns, carbines and the odd rifle.
I had never before seen such a
body of men so completely
armed with automatic weapons.
The Maori seemed to have a
natural aptitude for automatics.
Most of them could play a tune
on a tommy gun, and being rugged
specimens physically, the extra
weight did not greatly distress them.
They were a piratical looking crew,
swathed in greatcoats and balaclavas
topped by battered tin hats, creaking
in their harness with necklaces of Spandau
belts and bandoliers slung about them.
They had gone down to the road and
swung into a staggered formation with
an ominous clicking of cocking handles
and a bristle of gun barrels.
