Posted on Oct 12, 2014
Should the NCO rank be on the sleeve (like USAF) on the combat uniform?
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BLUF: Should the NCO rank be on the sleeve (like USAF) on the combat uniform? (and Class B)?
I heard an interesting theory a couple weeks ago. NCOs are the "backbone" of the Army. (and the rest of the services). On the current ACU uniform as well as the Class B, you really have to be "right up on" someone in order to see the rank. The perspective I received (from another service officer) is that the Army is "reducing" the value of the rank by making it harder to distinguish. Take the example of an E8 and E9 rank on the ACU. We have all mis-identified that.
I heard an interesting theory a couple weeks ago. NCOs are the "backbone" of the Army. (and the rest of the services). On the current ACU uniform as well as the Class B, you really have to be "right up on" someone in order to see the rank. The perspective I received (from another service officer) is that the Army is "reducing" the value of the rank by making it harder to distinguish. Take the example of an E8 and E9 rank on the ACU. We have all mis-identified that.
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Uniforms
Uniforms
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 41
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It is hard to see the rank for a reason, if its hard for us Army types to see it, and we are familiar with it, how hard do you think it is for the enemy to see it and distinguish it? Of all the reasons I want the ACU to go, this is not one of them.
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I like it on the sleeve the most even if it was on the collar when I was in the Army. I think it looks better on the sleeve just like Class A's
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I was all in favor of having the rank on the collar. For me, it was easy to spot.
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PS--my dad said to always keep a set of brigadier stars in your pocket in case you are captured. Drives everyone nuts and you might live a little longer.
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CSM Bentley, I'm with you on this one...yet also know there are egos who enter a room long before the rank can be noticed.
I always thought SGM/CSM should have a leather pistol belt and a permanent issue .45.
Not a fan of swagger sticks, although I was presented on made from old ammo.
I always thought SGM/CSM should have a leather pistol belt and a permanent issue .45.
Not a fan of swagger sticks, although I was presented on made from old ammo.
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Does anyone else remember soldiers doing one more push up for the "Tiger"? Those multiple stripes were recognizable a mile away.
"Sleeve" stripes were always a nuisance when you were promoted. However, MSG Krotzer survived a weak company commander's wrath by forgetting to write a letter requesting voluntary reduction in grade and merely cutting one rocker off two uniforms. Krotzer was hell on troops for a while, when the captain never asked for the letter again and orders were never published SFC Krotzer magically became MSG Krotzer by wearing the remaining uniforms with 3 up and 3 down.
We did get back to the 'Village" after a while. Then MSG Jackson who was an I Corps MP rousted us one Sunday morning, as we hit the trail, MSG Jackson drove by and left us in the dust.
I would chose collar tips, that way, in today's Army you do not inadvertantly check something else.
"Sleeve" stripes were always a nuisance when you were promoted. However, MSG Krotzer survived a weak company commander's wrath by forgetting to write a letter requesting voluntary reduction in grade and merely cutting one rocker off two uniforms. Krotzer was hell on troops for a while, when the captain never asked for the letter again and orders were never published SFC Krotzer magically became MSG Krotzer by wearing the remaining uniforms with 3 up and 3 down.
We did get back to the 'Village" after a while. Then MSG Jackson who was an I Corps MP rousted us one Sunday morning, as we hit the trail, MSG Jackson drove by and left us in the dust.
I would chose collar tips, that way, in today's Army you do not inadvertantly check something else.
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I always hear that it was put on the chest, so troops would have an excuse to stare at females' chests. Do not know if that true or not. Really can't think of any other reason though.
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And by the way....take the pockets off of the sleeves. What is that really about anyway??
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SFC (Join to see)
The ability to quickly get to a concealed notepad and pen is really nice and it prevents you from forgetting it. I see what you mean about the way it looks but its convenience is really addicting. Now having a pocking on the front of a uniform for your IPAD might be pushing it a bit LMAO.
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SGT Richard H.
Maybe I'm just old fashioned....the Army I grew up in, the only thing in a pocket above the waist was a pen....and you better not be able to see it.
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SFC (Join to see)
I hated it when I first started to see it and I was definitely making corrections about the pens I saw sticking out. We aren't even allowed to press our uniforms like we did in the old days of OG107s and Spit shined Jungle Boots.......Buuuuutttttt Change being so enevitable youll be glad to know where we sacrificed crispy uniforms weve lengthened the life of the uniforms. Remember the buttons cracking from being over pressed? Bahh all that being said I'm sure there's some colonial guard from the 1700s standing next to St. Peter saying how great it was to wear wool uniforms. HAHAHAHA
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SGT Richard H.
LOL, yes I do remember. I kept a supply of buttons and sewed on more than a few before I could afford to just have it done at the cleaners!
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