Posted on Jun 2, 2017
To the Navy members.... What is your opinion of Red vs. Gold Service Stripes?
102K
1.32K
260
36
36
0
I am researching the history of Service Stripes for all services, but am curious about the Navy's version. I understand the regulation, but I am more curious about the general feelings toward those who wear the Red Service Stripes after 12 years, knowing something has kept them from going Gold. How do your feel about this person if you were...
a senior?
a peer?
a subordinate?
a senior?
a peer?
a subordinate?
CPO
Enlisted
Uniforms
Dress Uniform
Sailors
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 148
1
1
0
Funny how this one continues. I retired with five gold stripes and gold MCPO insignia. In my record, due to a number of questionable action as a teen were noted, along with some mediocre evaluations (none related to skills or knowledge), a Summary Courts Martial conviction (smoking in an authorized area), and a showdown with my last CO and the Wardroom that I requested escalation to squadron level, they backed down. So, for those that believe gold means a so called perfect sailor, you are wrong. That being said, new ballgame in these times. BTW, I was selected for MCPO before my 18th year of service.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
For me when I was enlisted, I held the "gold stripers" (NOTE i SAID STRIPERS NOT STRIPPERS) pretty much in awe as I could not understand how anyone could serve that many years without getting caught for something. Later, as a commissioned officer, I respected the gold stripes because by then, I understood a little better. What I considered important at that time though, was the service member's performance at that time, rather than past history.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
From the Deckplates—Base Gold Stripes on Service, Not Conduct | U.S. Naval Institute
Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.
(1)
(0)
MSG David Rogers III
Most important line: "Sailors wearing three or more red service stripes are likely to face judgment—even if subconscious—by peers, subordinates, and leaders." Now I know everyone here at RallyPoint is very honorable and professional, and really do believe that in your hearts, the red stripes are no big deal, but sadly this is not true will all members.
(0)
(0)
MCPO Roger Collins
MSG David Rogers III - Disagree 100%. Every enlisted sailor has worn the red stripes and it means nothing until you reach the twelve year criteria. Some question may come about after those twelve years, but since we all know what that is about, it is seldom thought as a crimson letter, at least those of us with a little experience.
(1)
(0)
LCDR (Join to see)
Interesting read, but it doesn't really make a solid case. It approaches its points but never really develops them.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
My dad, who is a retired CMDCM, talks about how back when he first enlisted in 1974, it was incredibly common to see Chiefs, Senior Chiefs, and even Master Chiefs with red stripes and rating badges. There was even a running home that to make Chief, one had to have his DUI and divorce in his service record.
As the Navy has gotten smaller, though, and tried to push back against the cultural stereotype of the drunken Sailor, fewer and fewer Sailors are able to stay in for very long after going to mast, so the +12 red stripes aren't very common. However, when it's obvious that somone has been to mast, I read the situation that their Captain believed that while mast was appropriate for that Sailor's actions, the Sailorneither learned their lesson or the situation wasn't so severe that the Sailor was a total loss to the Navy.
Basically, I'm saying that it doesn't matter to me, and that I wouldn't have the information to judge it anyway.
As the Navy has gotten smaller, though, and tried to push back against the cultural stereotype of the drunken Sailor, fewer and fewer Sailors are able to stay in for very long after going to mast, so the +12 red stripes aren't very common. However, when it's obvious that somone has been to mast, I read the situation that their Captain believed that while mast was appropriate for that Sailor's actions, the Sailorneither learned their lesson or the situation wasn't so severe that the Sailor was a total loss to the Navy.
Basically, I'm saying that it doesn't matter to me, and that I wouldn't have the information to judge it anyway.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Would someone mind explaining to the Army guy what causes someone to have red instead of gold? Seems to be related to UCMJ actions or something. What are the details? Once you go red, can you ever go back to gold after X years of good conduct? Or is it an all or nothing thing? Thanks.
(1)
(0)
MCPO Roger Collins
What you see up to the 12 years is red stripes. Everyone wears the same until they qualify. As luck would have it, I was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E-7) at the same time I went gold. As you may be aware, that is when we go to completely new uniforms. If you saw what it costs, you don't want to revert back to red.
(1)
(0)
MSG David Rogers III
MCPO Roger Collins - under "4231. SERVICE STRIPES" it mentions the color blue: " 3. Color. Stripes are either cardinal, gold or blue as specified." Why is the color blue mentioned under service stripes?
(0)
(0)
MSG David Rogers III
MCPO Roger Collins - Never mind..... found it. Service and Dinner Dress White Uniforms!
(0)
(0)
LCDR (Join to see)
MSG David Rogers III - It's good to remember that in the navy, "blue" often means black.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
MSgt Gerald Orvis
As has been commented by another Marine, using different colored stripes to reflect disciplinary history wouldn't work in the Marine Corps. Our Good Conduct medals reflect that. The award of which I was proudest was my Good Conduct - 21 years of undetected crime! The only story I have about chevrons in the Marine Corps happened when I was on Embassy Duty in Canada. We had a Corporal who got promoted to Sergeant. He had to send to HqBn cash sales in Arlington VA to get his new chevrons. When he took them to the laundry/tailor shop to get them sewn on, they cut out the crossed rifles and sewed them on with points down, like they do in the Canadian military. So he had to borrow shirts from another Sergeant for duty until he got more chevrons and the situation was corrected. Needless to say, he was pissed off as hell and the butt of some humor from his comrades.
(0)
(0)
PO1 Edward Pate
The Navy does not count time for prior service even if you had Good Conduct awards from them.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The Navy has been tampering with uniforms since I can remember…I’m 75, and my Dad was career Navy since 1040. They think it increases morale, but it usually ends up with crap fabrics and impractical items especially at sea. The worst was the ‘’bus driver’’ uniform of the 1970’s. Didn’t last long.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Wow, years later and tons of Reponses. Thanks all. Will this matter now that the policy changed?
https://www.stripes.com/news/gold-for-all-navy-ending-use-of-red-misconduct-uniform-stripes-1.574360
https://www.stripes.com/news/gold-for-all-navy-ending-use-of-red-misconduct-uniform-stripes-1.574360
Gold for all: Navy ending use of red ‘misconduct’ uniform stripes
Starting June 1, all sailors over the 12-year service mark will be authorized to wear gold chevrons on their dress and service uniforms, a stark contrast to the red stripe worn by some senior enlisted sailors as a visible sign of misconduct.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
I don't know if this has changed but the Coast Guard does not give gold hash marks but to E-8 and over no matter the years but one GCM will be missing stars for us that went above and beyond and got caught.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google