To the Navy members.... What is your opinion of Red vs. Gold Service Stripes?

Made every rank of Petty Officer twice, still managed to get my anchors and retire as a Chief. Damn, I had a great time as a young man in the Pacific! Still managed to get my gold stripes in the long run but I had a lot of fun as a red stripe too! Bottom line is that you have to look back on your career and be satisfied with how you did.

As a retired (23 yr) CMDMC, it's a uniform policy, you don't wear what you haven't earned. Yes great warriors have made judgement mistakes and paid the price, however do I think less of a red stripper vs a gold stripper? No, I base my opinions on actions on the here and now. Mistake made, lesson learned move on. If you earn the privilege to wear gold at retire good on you, if not, do be it, but if you're able to retire red or gold, I look at it as a privilege to have served and able to reap the benefit of a retainer check each month. I personally like the regulation, and if a guy that retires wearing red gets asked why he's red and not gold look at it as a teaching moment to pass on to someone who may need to hear what not to do. Just my opinion.

I was medically discharged at 11 years 3 months. I so wanted to wear Gold. It was and is a matter of pride and honor in my book. No looking down on red just respect for achievement of a gold.

As a recipient and a current owner of gold stripes, it speaks to the character of my service to my country. This in no way takes away from those who have some bumps in their careers. They are good sailors, soldiers and airmen as well.

Not all who wear red stripes are bad. The criteria states you must have 12 years of continuous good conduct to qualify for gold stripes. If you had a break in service and came back in, the 12 year time clock starts the day you re-enter the service.

Albeit there are many military traditions that we hold proud. And, I'm not real f a familiar with navy traditions, but I've always believed that effective leadership still holds that punishments should be private, and accolades public. To have to wear a stripe that signifies a mistake should not be.

I see the vote icon for every service should adopt this option? I don't think so, it's ok to step on your dick but not to mark time on it. Semper Fi

True, everyone makes mistakes. However, as in life, choices are made, not mistakes. Keeping your nose clean keeps your record clean. Thus, acquiring the gold. Making a bad choice doesn't make one a looser. However, red than becomes the reality. Good sailors are found in both categories.

Some of my best sailors were “red strippers”, but I appreciate the gold strip program. Continue both...keep the tradition alive.

I wish the Army would have done that all ten of my service stripes would have been blood red and I would have worn them with honor, I don't trust someone who have never made ANY TYPE of mistake, they are a lighting rod for a really bad one coming I would guess.