Alignment of awards on the ASU?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:26:11 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 26 at 2014 11:32 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:32:52 -0400

I would always go by measurements. That way you know it's centered. I can't speak on how your uniform looked yesterday but if you take the time to measure out the placement then you are good to go. Remember, how you stand has an effect on how your placement falls as well as well as the size and fit of your jacket.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2014 12:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:31:52 -0400

Initial look is just that, initial, this does not warrant a fix, it warrants a closer inspection or measurement. Measurements should made as worn though.

translation, the gig would be for the inspector not doing a full inspection and going by initial view.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2014 12:43 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:43:26 -0400

Can you post a picture? If you have not already changed it

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made Jun 26 at 2014 12:59 PM

SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:59:43 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2014 2:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 14:00:55 -0400

After a re-inspection by myself and my PSG today, I've discovered that the button stitching is actually off center. So, side to side my name can be centered, but it will look off due to the button being wrong by about 5/32nds of an inch. The awards look slightly canted when layed flat due to the curve of the pocket, and now appear misaligned l/r. This photo is after the name plate and regimental crest were moved slightly to bring them in line with the button, before discovering that it was off.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 27 at 2014 11:43 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 11:43:36 -0400

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.

Response by SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau made Nov 29 at 2014 8:02 AM

SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 08:02:20 -0500

I feel you on this one. If you have any muscle at all, as soon as you put the ASU jacket on everything goes all over the place. I have always found that measuring everything out, then readjusting when you put it on is the way to go.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Nov 29 at 2014 11:04 AM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 11:04:40 -0500

So after reading this threat it makes me real happy that i was color blind and could not get the job i wanted in the Army. Because i did not have to go through this all i had to worry about was proper placement of my ribbon/medal rack and my warfare device. You guys have way to much stuff on your uniforms to measure it out. But it does make your dress uniform look nice.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 1:22 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 13:22:02 -0500

Spc Samuel Burch, just make sure that your uniform fits you properly. Yeah the uniforms are never perfectly aligned, but just adjust as you go to keep everyone off your back. Even if u prove to any board member that the problem lies in how the uniform was tailored, they're just gonna hit you up with an metaphorical brick in the head and say "as an NCO, what would you do to fix a situation like this in a combat zone".bottom line, roll with the punches and straighten your gear and you'll have no worries.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2014 7:51 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 19:51:47 -0500

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.

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Nov 29 at 2014 8:07 PM

CW2 Stephen Pate — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 20:07:06 -0500

I agree with what others are saying in having someone else look at it while you wear it. I'm an E7 and I still have four other Soldiers look at my uniform and make adjustments just so I looked right for a promotion ceremony. I also think that the more we wear the ASUs the easier it becomes to make it look right. I wore them a lot while stationed at Fort Lee and it's easier for me to get them right because of the "wearing" experience.