a. Authorization
Enlisted personnel are authorized to wear service stripes as members of the RA, ARNG, and USAR, for a period of honorable service, as indicated below—
Active Federal service as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
Reserve service creditable for retirement for non-regular service, in accordance with 10 USC Chapter 1223, as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of any Reserve Component of the Army Forces, including the Women’s Auxiliary Corps.
b. Allowable Amount
One stripe is authorized for each 3 years of:
- Honorable active Federal service
- Reserve service creditable for retired pay for non-regular service
- Or a combination of both
There is no limit to the number of stripes worn; however:
- Service stripes will not cover the chevrons
- Service need not have been continuous
- The 10th stripe is authorized after 29 1/2 years
Individuals authorized more than 10 service stripes may elect whether or not to wear them.
Service Stripes Specifications and Wear Guidance (AR 670-1)
a. Male (Large)
A golden-lite, rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe, 3/16 inch wide and 1–5/16 inches long, on a blue background that forms a 3/32-inch border around the stripe.
- The large service stripes are authorized on the ASU.
- Soldiers must wear the large service stripes when wearing the large rank insignia.
A heritage tan 566, rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe, 3/16 inch wide and 1–5/16 inch long, on a heritage green 564 background that forms a 3/32-inch border around the stripe.
- The large service stripes are authorized on the AGSU.
- Soldiers must wear the large service stripes when wearing the large rank insignia.
A gold-colored rayon or a golden-lite rayon or nylon braid 1/2 inch wide and of variable length.
- The large service stripe braid is authorized for wear by all enlisted Soldiers on the Army blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms.
- Soldiers must wear the large service stripes when wearing large rank insignia.
b. Female (Small)
A golden-lite rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe, 5/32 inch wide and 1–1/4 inches long, on a blue background that forms a 5/64-inch border around the stripe.
- The small service stripes are authorized on the ASU.
- Soldiers must wear the small service stripes when wearing the small rank insignia.
A heritage tan 566, rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe, 5/32 inch wide and 1–1/4 inch long on a heritage green 564 background that forms a 5/64-inch border around the stripe.
- The small service stripes are authorized on the AGSU.
- Soldiers must wear the small service stripes when wearing the small rank insignia.
A gold-colored rayon or golden-lite rayon or nylon braid, 1/4 inch wide and of variable length.
- The small service stripe braid is authorized for wear by all enlisted Soldiers on the Army blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms.
- Soldiers must wear the small service stripes when wearing small rank insignia.
c. How Worn
Service stripes in paragraphs 21–28a(1) and 21–28b(1) are worn on the ASU coat.
- The service stripes are worn centered on the outside bottom half of the left sleeve.
- The first stripe is sewn on at an angle of 45 degrees with the lower end toward the inside seam of the sleeve, 4 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.
- Each additional stripe is spaced 1/16 inch above and parallel to the first stripe (see fig 21–147).
Service stripes in paragraphs 21–28a(2) and 21–28b(2) are worn on the AGSU.
- The service stripes are worn centered from seam to seam on the outside bottom half of both sleeves.
- The first stripe is sewn on at an angle of 30 degrees, with the lower end inserted in the front inside seam.
- The upper end of the stripe is inserted in the back seam of the sleeve.
- Each additional stripe is spaced 1/8 inch above and parallel to the first stripe (see fig 21–148).
Service stripes in paragraphs 21–28a(3) and 21–28b(3) are worn on the Army blue and white mess uniforms.
- The service stripes are worn centered from seam to seam on the outside bottom half of both sleeves.
- The first stripe is sewn on at an angle of 30 degrees, with the lower end inserted in the front inside seam:
- 1/4 inch above the cuff braid of the Army blue mess uniform
- 3 inches above the bottom of the sleeve on the Army white mess uniform
- The upper end of the stripe is inserted in the back seam of the sleeve.
- Each additional stripe is spaced 1/8 inch above and parallel to the first stripe (see fig 21–149).
Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights
George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.