PBI Policy on wearing insignia, awards and medals at events.
PBI practice a 'dead cap badge policy' all units portrayed no longer exist to avoid any supposition of 'passing ourselves off' as serving soldiers. The South Staffords are now the Mercians, the Hallamshire Battlion no longer exist and Army Commandos were disbanded after the war. By doing this we minimise the risk of offending real serving or veteran airborne, commandos or infanteeers who have shed sweat and blood for their cap badges.
While this covers our uniform, no valour insignia or medals should ever be worn at events (eg military medal or victoria cross)
Other insignia should be of a minimum to make the impression historically accurate. To tak eour South Staffords example it is acceptable to wear the Staffords badge with a kings crown as this no longer exists, equally the airborne formations badges, maroon beret and glider badge are integral to portraying the unit in a historically correct way.
Where existing modern qualifications, skills and medals exist the owner may with organisers consent where the nearest WWII equivalent. For example those qualified in telecommunications or signals may request to be badged as unit signaller, those who have served in the armed forces may wear long service strips appropriate to their time in HM forces etc.
In the unlikely and exceptional circumstance of a member of PBI portraying a named individual in a historically appropriate context they may wear insignia and awards worn by that historical personage and for that event only.
Rank will be decided an allocated on an event by event basis dependant on individuals experience, ability to lead a group and the scenario presented. As PBI portray units of no larger than a company this should never be a rank above Major.
While for many airsoft groups this may seem slightly OTT, consider that PBI not only regularly appear at public events but also in front of the veterans we portray. It would be unforgivable to cause even slight offence or belittle real achievement for the sake of 'blinging up' or looking cool.
The only notable exception to the above is that individuals may sport any insignia or awards (with on the remits of acceptable good taste) when indulging in pre game socials at private events only!
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."