Branch Shoulder Cords?

2014-08-22T20:38:55-04:00

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

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2014 8:46 PM

2014-08-22T20:46:55-04:00

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.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 23 at 2014 5:21 AM

2014-09-23T05:21:31-04:00

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 Private RallyPoint Member ?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 8:25 AM

2014-09-23T08:25:39-04:00

Infantry is the only branch specific cord authorized for wear. Had a supply clerk ask me about other cords. While the Regulation doesn't specify that they're unauthorized, nor does it authorize them. Branch color socks and the like are generally locally authorized for Military Balls.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 2:53 PM

2014-09-23T14:53:52-04:00

Prior to my commission I served with the Iowa National Guard Honor Guard and during some services we were required to wear our branch chords on our uniforms. Now the guidance I received and from what I found in AR-670-1 was that your Commander can authorize the wear of branch chords; for wear during a military ball, function, or funeral.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2014 9:27 PM

2014-10-07T21:27:34-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 9:38 PM

2014-12-30T21:38:29-05:00

The closest I've seen to branch cords being in modern use is when I was assigned to a Cavalry Squadron where we wore cords on our stetsons (cavalry hat) that were colored in accordance with our branch. I was a lone maroon cord in a sea of yellow.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 10:20 PM

2014-12-30T22:20:21-05:00

quite frankly I don't want to wear one

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-01-01T14:26:41-05:00

Infantry has their blue cords, cav guys wear the Stetsons and spurs, and this leads to the whole have a badge for everyone discussions. To each his own. Everyone should be proud of their branch and the history behind it. I personally favor the MP's.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 21 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-11-21T19:03:28-05:00

Hopefully your friend is confused with a temporary wear of a Fourragère vice a branch cord.

Response by SPC Alex Shiflett made Jan 13 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-01-13T12:54:49-05:00

If anyone else deserves a cord it is the Medics. End

Response by SGT Travis Deuley made Dec 15 at 2016 12:07 AM

2016-12-15T00:07:12-05:00

Old thread, but what the hell. Per AR 670-1, the Infantry cord is the only one authorized. However, the wear of branch cords is at the commander's discretion. It is much like the Cavalry stetson. It is not actually authorized by big army, yet it is allowed. In my old unit, we wore our branch cord under the left arm, and our branch colored cord on our stetsons.

Response by SFC Michael O'Brien made Jul 25 at 2017 4:14 PM

2017-07-25T16:14:12-04:00

I have two (2) MI shoulder cords (see attached). Found in a PX junk box. No longer available. I also have the Army Security Agency beret which goes along with the MI shoulder cord since we wore the MI brass too.
(Click to enlarge)

Response by SPC Darren Coffenberry made Jan 5 at 2018 2:34 PM

2018-01-05T14:34:06-05:00

I wore an orange and white one (Signal Cord) when i was in the service and was never told to take it off...I was in a FA unit and the only 31 series to wear it that i seen, My gunny asked me about it once and then said the XO was good with it...never heard another thing about it. Yes, I received the cord at Fort Gordon , Georgia after i graduated AIT in 1989.

Response by SFC William Long made Mar 3 at 2019 6:03 PM

2019-03-03T18:03:00-05:00

Who do you write to so we can change the regulation Everyone should be proud to wear there school cord

Response by SFC William Long made Mar 3 at 2019 6:25 PM

2019-03-03T18:25:44-05:00

That’s what I hear but, every trained soldier should be proud and able to wear there colors

Response by SPC Mike Miller made Sep 11 at 2019 5:31 AM

2019-09-11T05:31:35-04:00

The shoulder cords were authorized in the late 70s for all corps. My last unit was an ordnance unit. Our Full Bird used to be infantry and wanted to show pride in our Ordnance corps. He authorized the Ordnance (Crimson cord) It lasted for about a month before the Cord was taken away. I was put on a board and asked about army pride after this happened. This was late 1997. I told the Army we needed pride for all corps and being Airborne myself. Should have a disk under my wings indicating Ordnance. I was also got to look at the prototype of the ACU. I asked why are the sleeves not rolled up. Lol

Response by Steven Grant made Mar 17 at 2020 3:46 PM

2020-03-17T15:46:42-04:00

Don't for get about Aide-de-Camp cords.