Uniforms of the Deployable Operations Group

Uniforms of the Deployable Operations Group. Original template by Tounushi.

Dress uniform

In contrast to the Space Patrol Service, the Deployable Operations Group disdains ornamentation in its uniforms. Operator uniforms are all-black with gunmetal grey buttons and insignia. The only concessions to colour are medal ribbons and unit insignia. All ranks wear a cloned wool, seven-button, stand collar jacket. The jacket’s buttons are marked with the crossed-rifles-and-delta insignia that was used by the Patrol Boarding Force that preceded the Deployable Operations Group, surmounted by eight Union Stars.

The Rifles, Globe, and Delta insignia of the Deployable Operations Group is worn on the collar and the headgear: officers wear a black peaked cap with a patent leather visor. Enlisted personnel wear a black beret. At full dress occasions, officers wear a polished black leather Sam Browne belt while enlisted personnel wear a cloth belt with a gunmetal buckle. All ranks wear black leather gloves with full dress.

The tactical recognition flash (TRF) showing the wearer’s unit is worn on the right shoulder. The Deployable Operations Group discourages elaborate unit insignia as contrary to the esprit de corps where all operators are considered part of one force, and unit badges tend to be little more than combinations of colours and numerals: infantry and armoured units wear diamond-shaped flashes, support units wear squares, and service units wear circles. Operators assigned to an OPSDET wear that ship or station’s delta badge. A flash showing the wearer’s higher formation is worn on the left shoulder.

Unlike the Space Patrol Service, the Deployable Operations Group issues only two qualification badges: Operators who have passed the notoriously-gruelling capsule trooper course are entitled to wear a winged drop pod badge. Operators who have qualified as aviators wear a gunmetal grey variant of the Space Patrol Service’s winged delta Small Craft Badge.

Service uniform

Deployable Operations Group service uniform is similar to that of the Space Patrol Service in that the dress trousers are worn with the jacket removed. All ranks wear a white Merino wool collarless shirt, and officers replace their peaked cap with a beret. As with the Space Patrol Service uniform, the sleeves may be rolled up when working in warm climates. Qualification badges are worn on the left breast, but no decorations. A name badge is worn on the right breast. Unit insignia is not worn with the service uniform. A black crewneck pullover may be worn with the service uniform.

Working uniform

Working uniform is a black jumpsuit, identical in cut and design to the Space Patrol Service’s blue jumpsuit. Officers wear rank insignia on the shoulder straps, while enlisted personnel wear a single rank insignia badge on the right sleeve pocket patch, below a black and grey Deployable Operations Group patch. A World Union flag patch is worn on the right sleeve above the tactical recognition flash.

Footwear for all uniforms is the Space Duty Boot, which is worn with the standard-issue Space Duty Sock: calf-length and with a cushioned sole, the Space Duty Sock is designed to improve circulation in the lower limbs while in microgravity, while also preventing the tough skin on the feet from atrophying. A sweat-wicking inner layer hugs the foot while the outer layer moves with the boot, reducing friction and protecting the feet from blisters. The sock is treated with anti-microbials, allowing it to be worn for up to thirty days between changes.

Reflecting its fairly ad hoc beginnings, Deployable Operations Group rank insignia borrows from a mix of military traditions: junior and field-grade officers wear pips in the Commonwealth tradition. Field-grade officers are further distinguished by a Union Star worn over their pips. The General officer ranks are referred to “star ranks” in the American military tradition, while their rank insignia is further distinguished by an oak wreath borrowed from German uniforms. Officers wear rank insignia on their shoulder straps.  Enlisted rank insignia largely follows Commonwealth traditions and is worn on the upper sleeve, with the exception of Sergeant Majors, who wear their rank badges on the lower sleeve.