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So, recently i was talking with a colleague of mine about shoulder cords for the dress uniform. He informed me that every branch (not just infantry) has a cord. Additionally, he actually received one from his supply section (he's MI). I'll upload pics as soon as i get back stateside.
He did do extensive research on the subject through AR 670-1, DA PAM 670-1, and a extensive search on the internet.
Limited vauge results of showing soldiers from Post WWII through the Vietnam era wearing different shoulder cords but no definitive answer if it's actually authorized.
AR 670-1 21–31 only states Infantry personnel wearing their branch cord, but is it actually authorized for other branches to wear theirs as well? Nowhere in the regulation does it state that other branches are not authorized to wear their own at all. The title only specifically pertains to infantry personnel and not other branches.
The forum below is the only source of information that I could find to verify his story.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/10777-shoulder-cords/page-8
He did do extensive research on the subject through AR 670-1, DA PAM 670-1, and a extensive search on the internet.
Limited vauge results of showing soldiers from Post WWII through the Vietnam era wearing different shoulder cords but no definitive answer if it's actually authorized.
AR 670-1 21–31 only states Infantry personnel wearing their branch cord, but is it actually authorized for other branches to wear theirs as well? Nowhere in the regulation does it state that other branches are not authorized to wear their own at all. The title only specifically pertains to infantry personnel and not other branches.
The forum below is the only source of information that I could find to verify his story.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/10777-shoulder-cords/page-8
Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
I like the logic that "if it doesn't say I can't so I am good." It doesn't say I can't wear a Tough Mudder head band under my PC but that doesn't mean it is ok.
The infantry are the only ones that have an "OFFICIAL SHOULDER CORD" recognized by the Army. Companies make shoulder cords in other branch colors but it is not recognized by the Army.
Lets not look at it as some fancy thing on a uniform but why was it authorized. It was used as a means to increase morale and pride for those fighting on the ground in Korea. This is the same as was the CIB in WWII. Now back where we are today. Why did someone who was MI deserve a cord. Does it hold the same merit as it did in the Korean war or was it viewed as something pretty on the dress uniform.
I am proud of my infantry branch accouterments. I know what is expected of me and have fought to earn them. Why can't others just recognize that others sacrifice more. I'm sorry but I was in the Iraqi invasion. I pretty much expected to be killed in combat. That was something I didn't take lightly but it was the reality of my occupation. For someone to say we all sacrifice the same is a absent of reality. We all do sacrifice but to say that some Combat Aviation Refueling unit sacrificed as much as the 3RD ID Bradleys that were spear of the invasion just doesn't add up to me.
The infantry are the only ones that have an "OFFICIAL SHOULDER CORD" recognized by the Army. Companies make shoulder cords in other branch colors but it is not recognized by the Army.
Lets not look at it as some fancy thing on a uniform but why was it authorized. It was used as a means to increase morale and pride for those fighting on the ground in Korea. This is the same as was the CIB in WWII. Now back where we are today. Why did someone who was MI deserve a cord. Does it hold the same merit as it did in the Korean war or was it viewed as something pretty on the dress uniform.
I am proud of my infantry branch accouterments. I know what is expected of me and have fought to earn them. Why can't others just recognize that others sacrifice more. I'm sorry but I was in the Iraqi invasion. I pretty much expected to be killed in combat. That was something I didn't take lightly but it was the reality of my occupation. For someone to say we all sacrifice the same is a absent of reality. We all do sacrifice but to say that some Combat Aviation Refueling unit sacrificed as much as the 3RD ID Bradleys that were spear of the invasion just doesn't add up to me.
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LTC Stephen C.
CPT (Join to see) and SGT (Join to see), the "Turning Blue" ceremony and the associated Infantry Cord attachment apparently has become more important over time, I speculate. I completed AIT-11C at Fort Jackson, SC on 20MAR70. There was no ceremony or final formation or anything that I recollect. All I remember was the Army put a few of us on a bus to Fort Benning for jump school! As a result, I never wore the Infantry Cord while I was Infantry!
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SGT Jack Kelly
There's always efforts, intentional or not to take away, minimize, or equal what infantrymen have earned by the choice of becoming one. Well said. I always felt it a great disservice to those wearing a beret as a honored distinction to become handed out to all. Very bad move when it was done.
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We already took the black berets from the Rangers. If we start adding colored cords to our uniforms we might inadvertently start a war with the infantry. The battle would be short lived. The casualties would be high. The Army may not survive. Do you want all that blood on your hands SGT (Join to see) ?
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SGT Richard H.
I don't foresee a war with the Infantry as long as someone doesn't try to take the blue color.
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SSG George Husted
Rangers took the black beret from the tankers that earned them in WW I - BEFORE there were Rangers.
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SGT Richard H.
SSG George Husted - One could argue that Robert Rogers started the first Rangers in US service in 1755. I'm pretty sure we hadn't started using tanks yet.
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Only the infantry blue cord is authorized. I have seen cavalry cords in branch colors and branch socks in dress uniform, neither are authorized but often worn.
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PO2 (Join to see)
I am a Navy Reservist and a Military Funeral Honors Coordinator with the WI Veteran's Affairs. Today while conducting military honors for a Marine veteran i noticed a family member in an Army dress blue uniform wearing an Infantry Blue Shoulder Cord on his right shoulder and a Green/Yellow Cord(MP) on his left shoulder. Is this possible? Correct? Authorized?
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SSG (Join to see)
PO2 (Join to see) - That green and yellow cord on his left shoulder is a Fourragere. It is a foreign unit award, not MP colors. My Squadron wears the French Fourragere in red/green for its achievements in WW2. You can tell the difference from the branch cords because the Fourragere has a brass tip on a separate lanyard. If it did not, perhaps this family member bought the incorrect cord, but I'm sure his intentions were the foreign award.
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