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When the United States Army began in 1775, NCOs wore their stripes point down. This continued until about 1903. Here's the question: WHY?? I have been looking for years and I can't find an explanation. I found the memorandum instituting the change and the fact that it took about 2 years to implement, but I can't find out why. Does anyone know and can you cite a source?
History (Major)
Military History
NCOs
Rank
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 18
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The Army was making significant changes to it's uniforms at the time and local commanders had been previously authorized to designate "up or down" for their command. To assure uniformity in both color and position of the new colored chevrons, War Department Circular 61 dated 30 November 1905 stated that the points of the Chevrons would be worn point upward.
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There is a book about US Army Chevrons written by LTC(R) William Emerson called, "Chevron: Illustrated History and Catalog of U.S. Army Insignia". Emerson's book is the "bible" on the history of NCO Chevrons but is nearly impossible to find (although some base libraries have it...I know the FT Leavenworth Library has four or five copies). During the period just before, during, and after WW1 the ranking system changed ALOT. The Army instituted Chevrons that were never issued or worn. In all there were more than 180 or so different ranks/chevrons . http://www.emersoninsignia.net/Chevrons.html shows a selection of Army Chevrons. I am TDY right now but will look at my copy of Chevrons to see if it says the reason for the change in direction when I return.
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CW2 Jonathan Kantor
I found the book on Google but it doesn't have a preview.
Thanks for the reference, I will see if I can find a print copy here on Ft. Sam.
Thanks for the reference, I will see if I can find a print copy here on Ft. Sam.
Search and preview millions of books from libraries and publishers worldwide using Google Book Search. Discover a new favorite or unearth an old classic.
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A dyslectic seamstress? Just Kidding! Good question. Now, why did the Air Force go the "wrong way"?
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MAJ Jim Woods
They don't seem to agree. One says that they flipped up and down a few times, while the other says it was all done in 1903.
Chevrons were sewn on the sleeves of uniforms with the point down from approximately 1820 to 1903. They were worn with the points both up and down between 1903 and 1905 after the first reversal from "down" to "up" was authorized on May 1, 1903 in Army Regulation number 622. This confusion period, from 1903 to 1905, was the result of the color change in the chevrons provided for in the regulation which also directed a standard color for each branch, corps or organization and replaced the gold-colored chevrons. Because of the number of gold insignia available, troops were permitted to wear the old-type Chevron until the supply became exhausted.
To assure uniformity in both color and position of the new colored chevrons, War Department Circular 61 dated 30 November 1905 stated that the points of the Chevrons would be worn point upward.
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As early as 1820, chevrons were worn with the point down, although there was not an official direction of this to appear in regulations until 1821 when chevrons were authorized for both officers and enlisted men.
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Chevrons continued to be worn points downward during the 1800s. AGO Order number 10 dated 9 February 1833, stated "Chevrons will be worn with the point toward the cuff of the sleeves."
To assure uniformity in both color and position of the new colored chevrons, War Department Circular 61 dated 30 November 1905 stated that the points of the Chevrons would be worn point upward.
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As early as 1820, chevrons were worn with the point down, although there was not an official direction of this to appear in regulations until 1821 when chevrons were authorized for both officers and enlisted men.
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Chevrons continued to be worn points downward during the 1800s. AGO Order number 10 dated 9 February 1833, stated "Chevrons will be worn with the point toward the cuff of the sleeves."
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CW2 Jonathan Kantor
I have read that document before and it helped me to get more information on the switch, but left me still with the question of why.
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CW2 Jonathan Kantor
I always assumed that the USAF made their chevrons point down so as to separate themselves from the Army/Army Air Corps. If they kept them the same way they were, people would probably just think they were still Soldiers and not members of the new branch. Total assumption on my part, I haven't looked into it.
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Suspended Profile
I assume the Air Force chevrons are pointing down to make them look like wings.
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It is pointed up because we are always looking up, positive, leading the way. Pointing down, well...... I will be following this question. I think I will call someone that knows a lot of history about the Army.
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It's all about history, tradition, and recognition by other/allied forces, this is just by guess from a little research i did but it seems they chose something already in use globally that most Americans were familiar with and understood that could be understood by allied forces as well as bring older traditions into our new military. here is a fairly good description on the history of the chevron. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevron_(insignia)
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CW2 Jonathan Kantor
I have considered the same conclusion but since I couldn't find any concrete evidence pointing towards it, I have treated it as conjecture. I don't know why this bugs me so much... probably because I am a historian and I don't like it when I can't answer a question!
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I have wondered this plenty of times. I have also never been able to find an explaination.
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I can find all kinds of stuff discussing the overall change to the way our current ranks generally look, but nothing that explicitly explains why chevrons were flipped to their current point side up appearance. The following two links are the two best that I found. The first pdf link I found particularly interesting to read. <br><br>http://www.military-historians.org/publications/journal/samples/1920Chevrons.pdf<br><br>http://usmilitary.about.com/od/army/l/blstripehistory.htm<br><br><br>
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