How do I set up my ASU's?

2024-05-01T14:12:41-04:00

I was on the fence about asking, because I have seen leadership on here bashing soldiers that does not know. I am an E5 in the National Guard. I show up 2 days to 2 weeks a month. We never wear our ASU's. I have since earned more awards and ribbons, and have no idea how to find them nor what they are or look like. I go to ALC in OCT. Any advice would be appreciated.

Edit: I am specifically looking for answers on where I go to see what awards I have, what order they go in, and etc. AR670-1 should tell me spacing and placement.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2024 2:25 PM

2024-05-01T14:25:11-04:00

If you're wanting to know a good website to see what order your stuff needs to be in (without having to pay for it... medalsofamerica is a great place.

Your bottom ribbon row will be 1/8 inch above the seam of the left breast pocket. Everything else, AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1 will tell you the rest of the spacing for all your uniform needs.

However, if you're near a military base, there is usually a small little booklet with plastic measure/placement device for sale.

Branch/US Insignia instructions: DA PAM 670-1, PDF page 243

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2024 2:34 PM

2024-05-01T14:34:24-04:00

Weapon(s) qualification badge(s) will be 1/8 inch below top seam of breast pocket, centered unless more than one, in which case they will be 1 inch apart

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2024 2:36 PM

2024-05-01T14:36:04-04:00

The nameplate is worn centered left to right on the flap of the right breast pocket and centered between the top of the button and the top of the pocket

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2024 3:11 PM

2024-05-01T15:11:18-04:00

For the RDI: On the ASU coat and shirt (not authorized on the AGSU shirt), male Soldiers wear the RDI centered 1/8 inch above the top of the pocket flap or 1/4 inch above any unit awards or foreign badges that are worn.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2024 6:27 PM

2024-05-01T18:27:15-04:00

Doesn't matter if you're MDAY or active duty, always use AR 670-1 to figure out the set up.
For your specific awards, you should wear what is in your record and iPERMS.
For assembling those, you can use a few sites for both getting the precedence correct, and buying the completed product if you want:
https://ezrackbuilder.usamm.com/rack-builder/rack-type
https://www.medalsofamerica.com/build-your-ribbons-rack

rack-type

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 2 at 2024 1:35 PM

2024-05-02T13:35:05-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member has hit the nail pretty much on the head with everything.

But to do the worst thing ever, and piggyback off what he said.....

If you can, get a hard copy of both AR 670-1 and DA Pam 670-1. Even if it means spending a buck or two on paper and ink and printing it yourself.

First, use AR 670-1 and your ERB to assemble all the parts. Whenever I set up my uniform, I would quite literally go to the chapter for ASUs, and go through the list of components, and lay out each and every one (or mentally eliminate it) to make sure that it was present, in good condition, and complete (i.e. ribbon rack in order). Then I would go to the two different chapters that covered the other items, and make sure I have all of those straight. Every time. Even after 20 years active duty.

THEN, once I was sure I had everything I needed, and it was all in the right order (ERB is vital, here), I would crack open the DA Pam, and start pinning stuff on the coat. Always start at the pocket seam and work outward.

As a final piece of advice, it *does* matter whether you are setting up for hangar inspection or worn. The coat changes shape when it is put on the body. If you are setting it up for wear you MUST HAVE A BUDDY who will help with minor corrections once worn.

P.S. Yes, it is embarrassing having to come here and ask. But it is far better to ask and get it right than try to bluff through and jack it up. NEVER be afraid to ask for help.

(And yes, this is entirely the fault of your NCOs for not squaring you away sooner. But *you* are the NCO now - make sure you don't fail your Soldiers the same way.)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2024 4:01 PM

2024-05-03T16:01:51-04:00

People don't "bash" soldiers asking questions - what happens is a lot of active soldiers come on here and ask questions that their leadership can easily answer OR they go look in the regs and it's even worse when it's NCOs who don't know basic things. That's what I see happen. They don't utilize the resources they have in person.