Can lower enlisted wear the ASU Service Cap?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 04:53:19 -0400

Can lower enlisted where the ASU service cap? I was looking through AR 670–1 and couldn't find anything in regards to if it is only authorized for NCOs and officers. I know I am not required to have one, but I think they look far more professional than the beret.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 4:54 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 04:54:39 -0400

My boss, a Colonel, were just discussing this this morning about a ceremony he attended where the US Army Soldiers in attendance were in both berets and service caps.
I agree the service cap is sharper, and I don't know of anything that states it can't be worn by non-NCOs or Officers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 6:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 06:01:55 -0400

According to Para 13-18f(1), DA PAM 670-1, it's only authorized for wear by Corporal and above.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 1 at 2017 6:07 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 06:07:40 -0400

No. Per the regulation, the service cap is authorized for Corporals and above, as directed by the Commander...

f. Wear.
(1) Corporals and above may wear the service cap as an optional headgear with the blue uniform. The beret is the
primary headgear worn with the service uniform by all Soldiers unless the commander directs wear of the service cap
(for corporal and above).
(2) Personnel are not required to wear headgear when wearing the blue uniform as a formal uniform to formal
evening social functions (after retreat). However, on all other occasions, personnel will wear headgear with this
uniform.
g. Proper wear position.
The service cap is worn straight on the head so that the braid hatband on the service cap
creates a straight line around the head, parallel to the ground. Such positioning automatically positions the visor
correctly, so that it does not interfere with vision or ride up on the forehead. Personnel will not alter the shape of the
service cap in any manner

Response by SPC Paul C. made Jun 1 at 2017 6:49 AM

SPC Paul C. — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 06:49:10 -0400

This is a good question. Although it is generally for corporals and above, it is altimately the commanders decision. You will see lower enlisted wearing the service cap for certain events such as honor guard, color guard, or when a unit is require to be consistent in uniform. Before 2008, all ranks were allowed to wear the service cap.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 9:53 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:53:27 -0400

It's only for NCO's and Officers, which I think sucks I'd much rather wear the service cap over the beret any day. At least I know how to properly shape my beret.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 5:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 17:48:11 -0400

Nope. Better try to get that lateral "promotion" to Corporal. Aren't you in the timeframe for being looked at for SGT? You might as well hold off a little longer and save your pennies to get that at the same time you convert your blues to NCO stripes. (Unless we all switch to "Pinks and Greens" soon)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 1:35 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 01:35:19 -0400

I was under the impression that only Corporals and higher could wear it. Wish we could though, I personally dislike the beret. I would prefer the garrison cap, though I'm sure someone disliked that too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 7:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 19:31:57 -0400

Back when the Dress Blues were in vogue, one could wear the service cap reguardless of rank.

There was talk awhile back about making the Service Cap compulsory for senior NCOs and above. I would like to see that.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2017 10:57 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 22:57:20 -0400

You are not entirely correct. Soldiers who participate in Military Funeral Honors Programs are authorized to wear them. But only when conducting funeral honors or color guard details.

Response by SGT Dustin Gray made Jun 3 at 2017 12:34 AM

SGT Dustin Gray — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 00:34:17 -0400

Let's make one thing clear: there is a difference between ASUs and Dress Blues. It is mostly in the material and shade of blue. These Soldiers of the Old Guard are wearing the latter. In Dress Blues every rank has a gold stripe on the trousers and wears a service cap.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2017 11:32 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 11:32:02 -0400

As everyone has said, the answer is no. However I do agree that it looks far more professional than the beret

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2017 5:32 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 05:32:41 -0400

If you want a special cap, wait til you're an NCO and can wear the service cap per AR 670-1 or go to a Cav unit and get yourself a Stetson. My first duty station was with 1st Cav and even though it wasn't mandatory, we were "highly encouraged" to own a Stetson. So as a PV2, I went and bought the damn thing and only wore it maybe three times.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2017 7:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 19:35:59 -0500

Soldiers in the Old Guard wear them regardless if they are a CPL and above or not. They do it for uniformity.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Nov 7 at 2017 7:41 PM

SGT Aric Lier — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 19:41:36 -0500

the beret should only be for units that earned it not because some dumbass that couldn't make ranger school decided to give it away

Response by SMSgt Ed Turney made Mar 30 at 2018 3:03 PM

SMSgt Ed Turney — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 15:03:14 -0400

My question was for the USAF.

Response by Stephen Poole made Aug 1 at 2018 4:48 PM

Stephen Poole — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 16:48:35 -0400

Although DA PAM 670-1 lists the cap as "optional," I presume that all NCOs must own one, correct?

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Sep 9 at 2018 9:51 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 21:51:41 -0400

Although I am not Army..(AF.) (IMHO) Ditch the beret with the Army Blues... Service Cover for all ! Use ball cap cover with field uniform and P.T. Uniform.
Beret for special groups like Green Beret,
Airborme.. FACs, and other spec groups..

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 6:52 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 06:52:56 -0400

Also depends on your job or activity. I am a lower enlisted and I am authorized to wear it, because I am into Honor guard.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2018 3:13 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 03:13:04 -0400

I think the only other way you may be eligable is to be on a Honor Guard, and I think you may only wear it during cerimonies. Any unknown sentries have any light on this?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2019 4:11 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 16:11:08 -0500

I'm in the ARNG Honor Guard, and regardless of rank, our members who honor the fallen by presenting the flag at a funeral wear the NCO service cap, or Officer one if they're an Officer.

Response by SPC Phillip Sheppard made Mar 14 at 2019 1:52 AM

SPC Phillip Sheppard — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 01:52:16 -0400

(1) "All male personnel will wear the Army blue service cap with the Army blue, blue mess, and blue evening mess uniforms". AR 670-1

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made May 16 at 2019 10:53 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Thu, 16 May 2019 22:53:45 -0400

only non-commissioned officers, warrant officers, and commissioned officers wear the ASU service cap. E4 and below wear beret. It identifies leadership in the formation.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2019 6:15 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 18:15:09 -0500

Normally it's only Corporals and above, although all personnel in The Old Guard where them as headgear.

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Nov 22 at 2019 6:39 PM

SPC Roger Giffen — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 18:39:31 -0500

When I enlisted, the service cap was part of basic issue. Been a while.

Response by SGT Robert Whatley made Nov 22 at 2019 8:03 PM

SGT Robert Whatley — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 20:03:13 -0500

Kinda funny how Service members don’t wanna look this stuff up themselves

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Nov 22 at 2019 11:32 PM

SSG Harry Herres — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 23:32:54 -0500

That beret has got to go. We are not Britts or French. Sorry old school, service cap looked better and looked better!!!

Response by 1SG David Spalding made Nov 23 at 2019 12:05 AM

1SG David Spalding — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 00:05:01 -0500

Just a comment on how you phrased your question. E-1 to E-4 are never "lower" enlisted, they are junior enlisted. Do you think of yourself as a lower being, a lower Soldier? I hope not.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2019 4:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 16:10:22 -0500

It is authorized in certain cases like for honor gaurd

Response by SPC Albert Schafer made Jan 12 at 2020 1:04 PM

SPC Albert Schafer — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 13:04:51 -0500

I've been un-enlisted for a very long time... What is the ASU service cap?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 11:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 23:12:47 -0500

unless you have a memo by your commanding officer to wear it or you're part of Honor Guard the no you have to be a CPL or higher according to DA-PAM 670-1.

Response by SPC James Dierickx made Jan 27 at 2020 12:51 AM

SPC James Dierickx — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 00:51:46 -0500

I saw a spec 4 wear this service cap during honor guard ceremony as part of a funeral detail does company level commander have authority to authorize the use of service cap for junior enlisted for uniformity.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2021 11:25 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 11:25:51 -0500

If you buy the AGSU then lower enlisted can wear the AGSU service cap.