See the glossary.
Section I Abbreviations
AAFES
Army and Air Force Exchange Service
AASA
Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army
ACH
advanced combat helmet
ACOM
Army command
ACU
Army combat uniform
AFRICOM
Africa Command
AGR
Active Guard Reserve
AGSU
Army green service uniform
AGSU–M
Army green service uniform-maternity
AMC
U.S. Army Materiel Command
AMHRR
Army Military Human Resource Record
ARIMS
Army Records Information Management System
ARNG
Army National Guard
ASA (ALT)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)
ASA (M&RA)
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
ASCC
Army service component command
ASU
Army service uniform
CA
Civil Affairs
CCDC Soldier Center
Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center
CG
commanding general
CMF
career management field
CONUS
continental United States
CSA
Chief of Staff, Army
CSM
command sergeant major
CTA
common table of allowances
DA
Department of the Army
DCS
Deputy Chief of Staff
DoD
Department of Defense
DRU
direct reporting unit
DUI
distinctive unit insignia
HQDA
Headquarters, Department of the Army
IDP
imminent danger pay
IHWCU
improved hot weather combat uniform
KFOR
Kosovo Forces
MCP–OD
Main Command Post-Operational Detachment
MCSS
military clothing sales store
MOHC
military operations in hostile conditions
MOS
military occupational specialty
NCO
noncommissioned officer
NGR
National Guard regulation
OEF
Operation Enduring Freedom
OFS
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel
OIF
Operation Iraqi Freedom
OIR
Operation Inherent Resolve
OND
Operation New Dawn
OPCON
operational control
OSUT
one station unit training
PEO
program executive office
PMOS
primary military occupational specialty
RA
Regular Army
RDI
regimental distinctive insignia
ROTC
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
RRS–A
Records Retention Schedule-Army
SDF
State Defense Forces
SEAC
Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
SF
Standard Form
SGM
sergeant major
SSI
shoulder sleeve insignia
SSI–MOHC
shoulder sleeve insignia–military operations in hostile conditions
TASS
Total Army School System
TDA
table of distribution and allowance
TDY
temporary duty
TIOH
The Institute of Heraldry
TOE
table of organization and equipment
TRADOC
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
UCMJ
Uniform Code of Military Justice
UQCP
Uniform Quality Control Program
USAR
U.S. Army Reserve
USARC
U.S. Army Reserve Command
USC
United States Code
USCENTCOM
U.S. Central Command
Section II Terms
Accoutrements
Items such as medals, ribbons, insignia, badges, emblems, tabs, and tapes authorized for wear on uniforms.
Appurtenances
Devices such as stars, letters, numerals, or clasps worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal, or on the ribbon bar that indicate additional awards, participation in specific events, or other distinguishing characteristics of the award.
Awards
An all-inclusive term that consists of any decoration, medal, badge, ribbon, or appurtenance bestowed on an individual or unit.
Badge
An award given to an individual for identification purposes or that is awarded for attaining a special skill or proficiency.
Certain badges are available in full, miniature, and dress miniature sizes.
Braids/plaits (hair)
Three or more portions/bunches of interwoven hair.
Braids are worn free-hanging (loose) or against the scalp.
Clothing bag
Uniform items and personal clothing issued to initial entry Soldiers which all Soldiers are required to maintain throughout their military career.
Conservative
Conventional, traditional, and moderate in style and appearance; not extreme, excessive, faddish, or intense.
Cornrows (hair)
Cornrows are defined as hair temporarily rolled, twisted, or braided closely to the scalp producing a continuous, raised row of hair.
Cornrows are worn against the scalp.
Decoration
An award given to an individual as a distinctively designed mark of honor denoting heroism, or meritorious or outstanding service or achievement.
Dreadlocks
See locks.
Dress uniforms
Uniforms worn as formal duty attire, or that are worn at formal or informal social functions, before or after retreat.
They include the Army green, blue, and white uniforms.
Eccentric
Departing from the established or traditional norm.
Exaggerated
To make greater or more noticeable.
Extreme
Exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected; not moderate.
Faddish
A transitory fashion adopted with wide enthusiasm.
Field uniforms
Utility and organizational uniforms, excluding the garrison culinary uniform, that are worn in field, training, or combat environments.
Gold color/gold–colored
Includes gold plated, gold bullion, and synthetic metallic gold.
A miniature enameled replica of an award, which is worn only on civilian clothing.
Locks (hair)
Locks are defined as sections of hair that twist from or near the root to the end of the hair, which create a uniform ringlet or cordlike appearance.
Medal
An award issued to an individual for the performance of certain duties, acts, or services, consisting of a suspension ribbon made in distinctive colors and from which hangs a medallion.
Mess uniforms
Uniforms worn for formal social occasions, when prescribed by the host.
They include the blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms for males.
For females, they include the blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms, the all-white evening mess, and the black mess and evening mess uniforms.
Miniature medal
A replica of a regular size medal, made to a scale half of the original.
The Medal of Honor is not worn in miniature.
Neat
Orderly and tidy in appearance.
Neck
For clarity in regards to grandfathered tattoos, the neck is defined as anything above a crew T-shirt neckline (in a standard uniform T-shirt) and also below the jaw line (in the front of the head) and below a parallel line from the lowest point of where one ear connects to the head to the lowest point of where the other ear connects to the head (in the back of the head).
Optional clothing
A uniform or clothing item, with or without protective properties (for example, flame resistant clothing), prescribed by the Army Uniform Board and approved by the CSA to be worn at the individual’s option; optional clothing items do not include ballistic protective items, except for protective eyewear.
Organizational clothing and individual equipment
The uniforms, clothing, and equipment listed in the CTA, which are issued to an individual on a loan basis and remain the property of the organization.
Commanders issue organizational clothing and equipment in accordance with the allowances and directives published in the appropriate CTA.
When issued, organizational clothing is worn when prescribed by the commander in accordance with Army regulations, technical manuals, and the CTA.
Examples of organizational uniforms are the maternity work uniform, the Army aircrew combat uniform, garrison culinary uniform, the combat vehicle crewman uniform, and cold- weather clothing.
Personal clothing
Military-type clothing, clothing of a personal nature, and component items listed in CTA 50–900 that are provided to enlisted personnel (specifically, the initial clothing bag issue).
Religious apparel
In accordance with 10 USC 774: Apparel the wearing of which is part of the observance of the religious faith practiced by the member.
Ribbon or ribbon bar
A portion of the suspension ribbon of a medal, worn in lieu of the medal and made in the form of a bar, ⅜ inches long by ⅜ inch wide.
Roll press
To remove substantial wrinkles from clothing without creating creases.
Rosette
A lapel device created from gathering the suspension ribbon of a medal into a circular shape.
The device is worn on the lapel of civilian clothing.
Service medal
An award made to personnel who participated in designated wars, campaigns, or expeditions or who have fulfilled specified service requirements in a creditable manner.
Service uniform
Worn in garrison environments when the wear of utility or dress uniforms is not required or appropriate.
Service uniforms consist of the Army green or blue (Class A and Class B) uniforms.
Twists (hair)
Temporarily twisting two distinct strands of hair around one another to create a twisted ropelike appearance.
Twists are worn free-hanging (loose) or against the scalp.
Unit award
An award made to an operating unit, which is worn by members of that unit who participated in the cited action (permanent unit award).
Other personnel serving in the cited unit, but who were not assigned to the unit during the action, may be authorized temporary wear of the award (temporary unit award).
Utility uniforms
Uniforms normally worn in the field, during training, or while performing duties where it is not practical or appropriate to wear a service uniform.
Uniforms classified as utility uniforms are found in DA Pam 670–1.