Posted on Jun 26, 2014
SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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I attended a company board yesterday, and the main gig from two of the board members was that my nameplate, unit awards, and regimental affiliation did not "appear" to be centered. Before I actually appeared before the board, the pre-inspection measured and gave me the good to go. I asked one of the board members afterwards about it, and he said that regardless of it it was centered, aligned, etc, it did not appear to be, and that I should effectively ignore any measuring requirements and make my placements to appear correct instead. Doing so with the nameplate and affiliation makes it impossible for me to place the unit award rack without looking glaringly off from the corners of the pockets. Curious about how I should pursue this/improve for next time.
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Responses: 11
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Edited 10 y ago
Ah civilian life!!! No one cares if your gig line is straight, your buttons are buttoned your zipper is zipped or the snaps overlaying the zipped zipper are snapped, just as long as your fly is closed.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
>1 y
Civilians. As long as we keep our zippers up we pass inspection.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
>1 y
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, I'll bet you check your gig line every time you dress and go out! After 28 years of checking my uniform, it's automatic for me to check my civilian attire as well!
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
>1 y
LTC Stephen C., sir you would lose that bet :-)
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SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh
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3
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Male personnel. On the service uniform shirts, and on the coats of the green and blue service/dress uniforms, 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. DA Pam 670-1

I only post this because no where in the DA Pam doesn't give a measurement it says centered. I've always centered my nameplate using the a ruler cut between the N and B of my last name to line up directly with the button hole. Then use the ruler to line up the unit awards and regimental crest. Always looks centered because visually it is centered. With your name SPC Birch I would put the ruler right on the point where the leg of the "R" hits the curve (I'd also check to make sure your name is actually centered on your nameplate, sometimes that does get messed up). My experience is you can measure all day long and the thing will still not be centered sometimes. Remember 670-1 is about wear and appearance so if it doesn't look right then 99% of the time it isn't right.

BTW you didn't say if you passed the board or not.
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SGT Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
SGT (Join to see)
10 y
SFC,
I didn't win specifically because of the gig from both board members on my uniform - was 2 points behind after averaging. After looking into it, I've found that my button is actually off center to the left.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
>1 y
I use that same TTP with the button slot aligned between the C and K. The wreath frame changes pattern in the middle, I align that off the button slot. Couple reasons, even if the name plate is not equidistant from the edges of the imperfect pocket flap.
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SGT(P) Wardmaster   Intensive Care Unit Platoon   68 C20   Licensed Vocational Nurse
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I have won many boards and just got my Promotable status last week for SSG and my advice is always "How does it look when worn?". I do not use a ruler when I place my awards, ribbons and badges, all I do is make it look right. How it looks is 100x more important then how it is measured, cause 90% of the time on the board the CSM and 1SGs are going to be sitting down and looking from behind the table, they aren't up in your grill measuring.... most of the time. Also, have a bunch of Sergeants look when you have it on, not just one or two.
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SGT(P) Medical Ncoic
SGT(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
I agree. Being in the Old Guard the appearance of the uniform is a big deal with what we do. We tend to measure everything out then put on our blouse have someone else look at it, then they measure it as well.
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