Lapel buttons are miniature enameled replica awards that are worn only on civilian clothing.
As an exception, Soldiers may wear the gold star and next of kin lapel buttons as indicated below.
Males wear the buttons on the left lapel of civilian clothing.
Females wear the buttons in a similar location on their civilian attire.
Soldiers who are issued a gold star lapel button are authorized to wear the gold star lapel button on the Army service/dress uniform.
Wearers include widows(ers), parents, and primary next of kin of Soldiers who lost their lives during identified conflicts
Soldiers authorized to wear the gold star lapel button will wear it on the ASU and AGSU coats as follows:
- Enlisted Soldiers will wear the gold star lapel button centered both vertically and horizontally on the wearer’s left lapel;
- Officers will wear the gold star lapel button centered on the wearer’s left lapel 1/4 inch below the branch insignia.
Personnel will not wear these buttons for official photographs or for promotion or selection boards.
If authorized both the gold star lapel button and the next of kin lapel button, Soldiers wear them as instructed by this paragraph, but side by side with at least 1/4 inch between the buttons.
There is no order of precedence between the buttons.
Soldiers who are issued a next of kin of deceased personnel lapel are authorized to wear the next of kin lapel button on the Army service/dress uniform.
Wearers include widows(ers), parents, and primary next of kin of Soldiers who lost their lives while serving on active duty or while assigned in an ARNG or an USAR unit in a drill status.
Soldiers authorized to wear the next of kin lapel button will wear it on the ASU and AGSU coats as follows:
- Enlisted Soldiers will wear the next of kin lapel button centered both vertically and horizontally on the wearer’s left lapel;
- Officers will wear the next of kin lapel button centered on the wearer’s left lapel 1/4 inch below the branch insignia.
Personnel will not wear these buttons for official photographs or for promotion or selection boards.
If authorized, both the gold star lapel button and the next of kin lapel button, Soldiers wear them as instructed by this paragraph, but side by side with at least 1/4 inch between the buttons.
There is no order of precedence between the buttons.