Jump to content

When was sew-on enlisted collar rank authorized?


Martinjmpr
 Share

Recommended Posts

So as a follow up to this thread:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/227314-metal-rank-insignia-on-bdu-1982-1990/

 

I thought I'd ask here since I'm sure someone knows:

 

I know the enlisted rank insignia for the duty uniform (i.e. tropical coat or fatigue shirt) was moved from the sleeves to the collar some time around 1971-72, correct? Officers, of course, have worn their rank and branch on their collars since WWII and officer rank insignia was available both in pin-on metal and sew-on types.

 

I came into the Army in 1980 and we still had the green "pickle suit" fatigues. However, from my recollection, all enlisted collar rank was pin on. Even the drill sergants at Fort Benning had pin-on rank as I recall. Does that square with what other folks know or remember?

 

I'm pretty sure I didn't even see sew-on subdued collar rank insignia for enlisted soldiers until the mid 1980's when we had switched to BDUs.

 

So my question for the group: Was there a time when sew-on collar rank was not authorized for enlisted soldiers? Or was it simply the case that nobody made any?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You'd probably have to research older copies of AR 670-1 to know for sure. Perhaps there was a change order made at some point in the 1980s? I enlisted in 1996, and sew-on was expected for anyone above E4. Even when I was commissioned through ROTC in 2000, pin on was a no-no for even the greenest LTs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I still have my fatigues that I wore in Germany from 1975-78 and I wore sew-on enlisted rank on them. I do not remember exactly when I had them sewn on, but probably 1975 or 1976. I seem to recall that it became authorized about the same time as the bright brass pin-on rank for the raincoat, windbreaker, etc. I distinctly remember that happening before I went to Germany, possibly as early as 1974.

 

I used to have some Vietnam jungle fatigues that had in-country made, unauthorized sew-on enlisted collar rank, but as I said, that was not allowed by regulation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

According to Emerson's "Chevrons," embroidered enlisted collar rank didn't become official till 1975. Individuals probably started using embroidered insignia soon after the metal subdued collar insignia were authorized in 1968, though.

 

Justin B.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had them in 1969.

As I recall, the wear out date was sometime in 69 for colored stuff and sleeve rank.

Notification sometime in 68. Lots of combos and variations in the interim.

Don't recall if there was a difference in pin on or sew ons.

You had to buy that stuff and often availability was what dictated what you had.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

According to Emerson's "Chevrons," embroidered enlisted collar rank didn't become official till 1975. Individuals probably started using embroidered insignia soon after the metal subdued collar insignia were authorized in 1968, though.

 

Justin B.

These would definitely be Vietnam theater made sew on Specialist 4 ranks as opposed to the later officially produced variety, so they were not necessarily authorized, but this photo dates to sometime between October 1968 and October 1969.

post-1761-0-16427500-1488404284_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As noted, it seemed to happen around 1968.

 

I remember looking at a photograph of a 173rd First Sergeant in the field. Even though his sleeve rank was subdued, you could pick him out at some distance, making him an ideal target for a sniper.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...