Service stripes, often referred to as hash marks, are a distinctive feature on military dress uniforms, particularly within the Army. These stripes are not merely decorative; they are visual representations of a soldier’s honorable service and longevity within the armed forces. Understanding service stripes, from their different types and how they are worn to who is authorized to wear them, is crucial for both service members and those interested in military protocol. This guide provides a detailed overview of Army Dress Uniform Service Stripes, ensuring clarity and accuracy based on official regulations.
Understanding Army Service Stripes: Types and Specifications
Army service stripes come in two primary sizes: large and small, each with specific design parameters and uniform applications. The variations in size and material are dictated by the uniform being worn and the rank insignia displayed.
Large Service Stripes
Large service stripes are characterized by their prominent size and specific construction. For the Army green uniform, the large service stripe is defined as:
- Material: A goldenlite, rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe.
- Dimensions: 3/16 inch wide and 1 5/16 inches long.
- Background: Army green, forming a 3/32 inch border around the stripe.
- Uniform Application: Authorized for wear by all soldiers on the Army green uniform. It’s important to note that large service stripes must be worn in conjunction with large rank insignia to maintain uniformity and regulation compliance.
For the Army blue and white dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms, the large service stripe transitions to a different material and construction:
- Material: A gold-colored rayon, goldenlite rayon, or nylon braid.
- Width: 1/2 inch wide.
- Length: Variable.
- Uniform Application: Authorized for wear by all enlisted soldiers on the Army blue and white dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms. Similar to the green uniform, these large service stripes must be paired with large rank insignia.
Small Service Stripes
Small service stripes offer a more scaled-down version, primarily for specific uniform types and potentially based on rank considerations, although the provided text indicates “all enlisted soldiers” for both sizes on green uniforms. For the Army green uniform, small service stripes are defined as:
- Material: A goldenlite rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe.
- Dimensions: 5/32 inch wide and 1 1/4 inches long.
- Background: Army green, with a 5/64 inch border around the stripe.
- Uniform Application: Authorized for wear by all enlisted soldiers on the Army green uniform. Small service stripes are to be worn with small rank insignia.
Like their large counterparts, small service stripes also have a braided version for dress uniforms:
- Material: A gold-colored rayon or goldenlite rayon or nylon braid.
- Width: 1/4 inch wide.
- Length: Variable.
- Uniform Application: Authorized for wear by all enlisted soldiers on the Army blue and white dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms. These small service stripes are also paired with small rank insignia.
Proper Wear of Army Service Stripes on Uniforms
The precise placement of service stripes on Army uniforms is strictly regulated to ensure uniformity and respect for tradition. The location and angle vary depending on the uniform type.
Placement on the Army Green Uniform
On the Army green uniform coat, service stripes are worn on the left sleeve, specifically on the outside bottom half. Key placement details include:
- Position: Centered on the outside bottom half of the left sleeve.
- Angle: At a 45-degree angle, with the lower end pointing towards the inside seam of the sleeve.
- Distance from Sleeve Bottom: The lowest stripe is positioned 4 inches from the bottom edge of the sleeve.
- Additional Stripes: For each subsequent 3-year period of honorable service, an additional stripe is added above and parallel to the first. A 1/16-inch space is maintained between each stripe.
Placement on Army Blue and White Dress, Mess, and Evening Mess Uniforms
Service stripes worn on the Army blue and white dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms are positioned on both sleeves, with a different angle and spacing compared to the green uniform.
- Position: Centered from seam-to-seam on the outside bottom half of both sleeves.
- Angle: At a 30-degree angle, with the lower end inserted into the front inside seam, 1/4 inch above the cuff braid.
- Upper End Position: The upper end is inserted in the back seam of the sleeve for Army blue dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms, and on Army white mess and evening mess uniforms. For the Army white dress uniform, the upper end is placed 3 inches above the bottom of the sleeve.
- Spacing of Additional Stripes: Each additional stripe is spaced 1/8 inch apart from the preceding stripe and placed above it.
Eligibility and Calculation of Service Stripes
Service stripes are earned for honorable service in the United States Armed Forces. Eligibility extends across various components and service types.
Who is Authorized to Wear Service Stripes?
Enlisted personnel across the Active Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve are authorized to wear service stripes. The qualifying service includes:
- Active Federal Service: Service as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
- Active Reserve Service: Service creditable for retirement for non-regular service, as defined in Chapter 1223, Title 10, United States Code. This includes service as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member in any reserve component of the Armed Forces, including the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.
Calculating Service Stripes
The accumulation of service stripes is based on periods of honorable service:
- Service Credit: One service stripe is authorized for each completed 3-year period of honorable active Federal service, active Reserve service creditable for retired pay for non-regular service, or a combination of both.
- Non-Continuous Service: Service periods do not need to be continuous to count towards service stripe accumulation.
- Tenth Stripe Exception: While generally one stripe is awarded per 3 years, the tenth stripe is authorized after only 2 years, acknowledging longer periods of service.
- Maximum Stripes: There is no limit to the number of service stripes a soldier can earn. However, service stripes should not obscure or cover chevrons or other insignia on the uniform.
- Optional Wear Beyond Ten: Individuals authorized to wear more than 10 service stripes have the option to choose whether or not to wear all of them.
In conclusion, army dress uniform service stripes are a significant symbol of a soldier’s commitment and honorable service. Understanding the regulations surrounding their wear, types, and eligibility ensures that service members correctly represent their service history and uphold the traditions of the U.S. Army. For more detailed information and specifications, always refer to the official Army regulations and guidelines.
