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A stable belt is a striped coloured belt worn at times by the armed forces of the United Kingdom, other Commonwealth countries, and a few other countries including Denmark, Brazil and Lebanon. The stripes vary by regiment and corps, identifying the wearer's unit. In Brazil and Lebanon they are known as gymnastic belts.
The term "stable belt" originates from when UK cavalrymen would place the surcingle around the waist when cleaning the stables and tending to their horses.[1] In the 1950s they spread to all branches of the armed forces, adding a splash of colour and individuality to the drab khaki working uniforms. Initially they were resisted by many senior officers, who saw them as too individualistic, but they soon became accepted throughout the UK forces, and spread to the forces of a number of other countries. The "gymnastic belt" of some countries has a similar appearance and purpose, with a name reflecting its origin in physical training equipment. Sword belts of similar appearance are used on ceremonial occasions by some military forces.[2][3]
Australia
The Australian Army adopted the stable belt in the late 1970s, however they were removed from service in 1995.[4]
Brazil
In Brazil, the gymnastic belt (Portuguese: cinto ginástico) is one of the most traditional elements of the uniforms of the Military Firefighters Corps. It has been used with few modifications since 1887.[5] Made of cotton and leather, earlier examples were reinforced to serve as climbing harnesses. Modern gymnastic belts are of lighter construction and only worn as ceremonial item. There are two versions of the gymnastics belt:
- For Officers:
- The belt is red with a horizontal stripe in blue, with silver-coloured metal buckles. In the 1960s, the leather components were white.
- For other ranks (sergeants, corporals, and privates):
- The belt is red, with gold-coloured metal buckles.
Denmark
The Danish Army, Home Guard, and Air Force all use stable belts. The Danish Defence's close co-operation with the British Army of the Rhine in the 1950s created the interest in a similar belt for the Guard Hussar Regiment, which was introduced in 1968.[6] In the late 1970s it was decided to allow stable belts for all regiments in Denmark. The design of the belt would be based on the colours of the regiment, and a colour to signify their role. To show the transition between role and regiment colours, a thin line was introduced, there is however no system with these.[7][8]
- Red: Combat troops
- Blue: Signal troops
- Gray: HMAK
The Danish armed forces have had a total of 43 different stable belts, of which about sixteen remain in use. Only the standard black stable belt is issued, other belts have to be purchased individually, so are neither regulation nor compulsory.[9]
In use
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Standard belt used by Danish forces -
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Schleswig Regiment of Foot (2.Reg) -
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Disbanded regiments
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Danish Life Regiment
1.Reg -
Prince's Life Regiment
3.Reg -
Zealand Life Regiment
4.Reg -
Funen Life Regiment
6.Reg -
King's Jutlandic Regiment of Foot
7 & 9.Reg -
Queen's Life Regiment
8.REG -
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Zealandic Logistic Regiment 1961-1997
Danish International Logistical Center 2000-2005 -
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Army Air Service -
Armed Forces Bornholm
(all branches) -
Intendant Corps -
Lebanon
Lebanese firefighters (الدفاع المدني, i.e. "Civil Defense") use the same type of gymnastic belt as used by firefighters in Brazil.
New Zealand
The various Corps and Regiments of the New Zealand Army wear stable belts. Most corps wear the same patterns of belt as their counterparts in the British Army[10][11]
Corps and regiments
| New Zealand Corps of Officer Cadets | Royal New Zealand Artillery | Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles | Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers | Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment | New Zealand Special Air Service | New Zealand Intelligence Corps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps | Royal New Zealand Dental Corps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Royal New Zealand Chaplains Department | New Zealand Army Legal Service | Corps of Royal New Zealand Military Police | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Royal New Zealand Army Education Corps | New Zealand Army Physical Training Corps | Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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- Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles;
The QAMR belt is black with a central amber stripe as used by the original Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, they are also the colours of the Taranaki, where the unit's foundations were laid in the early 1860s.
- Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment;
Personnel of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, with the exception of those serving in Territorial Force battalion groups, wear the regimental belt of the Durham Light Infantry, being rifle green with two thin red stripes. The belt was adopted as the RNZIR Corps belt in 1970. The Durham Light Infantry regimental belt was given to the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment when it relieved the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry at Sarawak, Borneo in May 1966.
- New Zealand Special Air Service;
Originates from belt worn by the British Special Air Service. It was first worn in 1965 by 1 Detachment, 1 Ranger Squadron NZSAS. The colours originate from a concept by David Stirling integrating the Oxford Blue and Cambridge Blue.[12]
- Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment;
The Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment stable belt is blue with a silver buckle displaying the regimental badge surrounded by the regimental motto "Ma Nga Hua Tu-Tangata" (By our actions we are known).
Reserve Infantry Battalions
The reserve battalions of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment retain their own patterns of stable belt. In 2013 the reserve battalions were amalgamated, reducing their number from six to three. No decision was made on the future of the various battalions' belts.[10]