Should the NCO rank be on the sleeve (like USAF) on the combat uniform?

CSM (Join to see),

All sergeants major should be required to have an RFID chip implanted so that my phone vibrates when we're within range of each other. While we're at it, let's make the lieutenant colonels' rank silver instead of black. Don't they know Soldiers salute shiny things by default?

I really miss the BDU days, so my answer is biased, but I am not in favor of placing chevrons back on the sleeves of utility uniforms.

In my quest to satisfy my hunger for knowledge, I took the time to read the report written by then COL Hal Moore after the Ia Drang Campaign in 1965. (Moore was promoted to COL very shortly after that engagement and assumed command of the brigade his battalion had been in)

The bottom line is that in the report, he put special emphasis on the fact that the NVA targeted NCO's at an alarming rate...and that removing chevrons from the sleeves of the combat uniform would decrease the likelihood of NCO leaders being targeted specifically in an engagement.

I think that reasoning is still valid today, much in the same way that medics no longer run around with only a pistol and a huge red cross armband on their uniform. While it may be easier to see the difference between 1SG Snuffy and SMA Chandler, the utility uniforms are still supposed to be built around the realities of combat.

And get rid of this ridiculous uniform.. Bdus were a better uniform by far

Two comments that work for their respective branches. The AF clearly distinguishes between its officers and enlisted based on rank placement. Only the officers have rank on the collar just as only the enlisted wear rank on the sleeves. Makes it very easy to pick out people at a distance. I also like what the Marines do, where enlisted wear subdued rank at all times and the officers wear non-subdued rank in garrison.

It doesn't matter where you are wearing your rank as long as you are doing what you are supposed to be doing? If people have to actually look at your collar, sleeve, or center mass, you might want to start working on making sure you are doing your job.

Officers ranks need to be identifiable.  When saluting 6 paces out, a rank should be recognizable, therefore if when tested you cannot see the rank then it needs to be accented.  The salute is not the only courtesy that should be displayed.  When an individual sees a non com approaching they should be able to address them also.  SGM to PVTs and Vice Versa.  We should all be recognized for our ranks.  PVTs earned their rank and deserved to be addressed for their accomplishments as much as an NCO or Officer.

I dont believe the Army is reducing the value of rank as much as poor leadership is reducing it. NCOs are letting officers absorb more and more of the NCO roles thereby giving up the leadership. The Army is promoting senior NCOs based on NCOERs that were written because our previius generation didnt want to hurt the feelings of a sub-standard NCO or they didnt want to" hurt their career". Ive seen sub-standard soldiers passed around like a bad check with no recourse because an NCO wanted to maintain their popularity or didnt want to hurt feelings. It isnt the Army policy makers that are devaluing rank, it is the "leadership" itself. Before changing the size of SSI you should research the lessons learned.

I think it would benefit all the services if we all looked alike in the work/combat uniforms. So yes put it on the sleeve Army. Think we look silly with all the different camouflage patterns.

Great post CSM (Join to see), my biggest fear in life is accidentally mistaking a E-8/E-9 because my eyes are horrible and I have to be right on them to see the rank. haha, make it visible so even us blind guys can see it.

I like the way it was on the BDU (although part of me still really likes the rank on the sleeves).

Officers should wear non-subdued rank in garrison.

Bring back officer branch insignia on the uniforms.