Should Soldiers be able to sew on name tapes but not rank?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 09:49:59 -0500

Lately I started seeing more and more soldiers in uniform that have their name tapes, us army but don't have their rank sewed on. It is plain and simple if you are sewing on make sure everything is sewed on. I have to correct some of them.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 10:13 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 10:13:26 -0500

I can't find anything in ALARACT 362/2011 that indicates that mixing of the velcro backed rank insignia and the sewed on nametapes isn't authorized. The ALARACT I refer to indicates that sewing on these items is optional at the Soldier's expense.

The statements made by the SMA at the time of the implementation also indicated that Soldiers would be allowed to sew directly over the nametapes and velcro, which would make it difficult to tell what is truly removable velcro and what is sewed over.

Links:

Army.mil Article: http://www.army.mil/article/59802/ACU_changes_make_Velcro_optional____Fort_Rucker_phasing_in/

ALARACT:

http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/uniform/docs/ALARACT_362-2011.pdf

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ACU changes make Velcro optional -- Fort Rucker phasing in

The voice of the Soldier has been heard: the Army announced the patrol cap will replace the black wool beret as the default headgear for the Army combat uniform.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 11:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:11:39 -0500

I have never heard that one must sew all or nothing, however, I do not understand why you wrote, "I have to correct some of them"... should you not correct all the deficiencies?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 11:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:15:21 -0500

While it would look funny, I haven't seen anything in writing stating its all or nothing?

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2014 1:59 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 01:59:42 -0500

SSG - sewn on rank sure would make promotion ceremonies interesting

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 12:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Mar 2014 12:55:30 -0400

The only reference to all or nothing is in relation to badges. If you sew your badges on all must be sewn on. You can not mix pin on badges and sewn on badges. There is no guidance for name tapes and rank velcro/sew on mix.

ALARACT 362/2011

...

5. SOLDIERS MAY SEW ON ALL AUTHORIZED SKILL AND IDENTIFICATION BADGES AT

THEIR OWN EXPENSE AS SUPPLIES BECOME AVAILABLE. INITIAL STOCKS ARE

ANTICIPATED IN 8 TO 10 WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF THE DIRECTIVE. SKILL AND

IDENTIFICATION BADGES MUST BE SEWN ON OR PINNED ON; SOLDIERS ARE NOT

AUTHORIZED TO MIX SEW‐ON WITH PIN‐ON BADGES ONCE THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

...

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Jul 29 at 2014 11:35 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 11:35:58 -0400

I think tape would be better in this case because there thing that can and will change on uniforms like ranks, patches and qualifications.

Response by Stephen Poole made Aug 30 at 2017 9:25 AM

Stephen Poole — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:25:11 -0400

Several commenters have responded that they can't find an "all or nothing" edict in writing regarding the mixing of Velcro-backed names/grade insignia and their sewn-on counterparts. In DA 670-1 (I'm looking at the 2017 edtion), Section 19=2, we see that personnel have the option of subdued metal insignia versus subdued embroidered cloth insignia, and that they are not allowed to mix these two types of accouterments. Also, we read: "When personnel sew on badges, the following must also be sewn on the utility uniform coat: nametape, U.S. Army tape, and grade insignia. This requirement does not apply to the patrol cap. If a Soldier sews on a U.S. Army tape, nametape, or grade insignia, then all three items must be sewn on.... Subdued embroidered insignia is on a cloth backing
and will not be embroidered directly on the uniform." So if you choose to sew on grade insignia, it means the other two (Army tape and nametape) must also be sewn on rather than using a Velcro-backed version.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2018 7:29 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 19:29:27 -0500

DA-PAM 670-1, Paragraph 4-8e. This states that if any badges, U.S. Army, Nametapes, or rank are sewn on, all others are to be sewn on as well.