Can I just wear the service stripes from my active time on my ASU or am I required to wear the stripes associated with my cumulative service?

2023-04-30T15:32:48-04:00

Do you have to wear service stripes. I was reserve and guard prior to becoming active. I just hit my 3 years active. Can I just wear service stripes for my active time or am I required to wear the stripes associated to cumulative service?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 30 at 2023 3:38 PM

2023-04-30T15:38:27-04:00

What longevity is reflected on your LES? If you are getting paid for it, wear it!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2023 4:03 PM

2023-04-30T16:03:16-04:00

AR 670-1:

"21–28. Service stripes
a. Authorization. Enlisted personnel are authorized to wear service stripes as members of the RA, ARNG, and USAR, for a period of honorable service, as indicated below—
(1) Active Federal service as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
(2) Reserve service creditable for retirement for non-regular service, in accordance with 10 USC Chapter 1223, as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of any Reserve Component of the Army Forces, including the Women’s Auxiliary Corps.
b. Allowable amount. One stripe is authorized for each 3 years of honorable active Federal service; Reserve service creditable for retired pay for non-regular service; or a combination of both. There is no limit to the number of stripes worn; however, service stripes will not cover the chevrons. Service need not have been continuous, and the 10th stripe is authorized after 29 1/2 years. Individuals authorized more than 10 service stripes may elect whether or not to wear them."

However, as CSM Charles Hayden said, just wear what your LES longevity shows. Who cares what other people think.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 30 at 2023 6:00 PM

2023-04-30T18:00:31-04:00

Best soldier I every served with was a Tennessee Natioanl Guard Corporal. He had as many service hashs and service stripes as I did. He did the job he was assigned professionally and well. He had no reason to feel less than I other than rank-wise.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 30 at 2023 6:35 PM

2023-04-30T18:35:23-04:00

As others have said, show what is on the books and what is reflected by your LES. People may have questions but that's the price of playing ball. It's easier to deal with than a leader busting you out for not wearing whats on your record.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2023 9:22 PM

2023-05-01T21:22:57-04:00

I had a SPC in my company with 6 service stripes, if all you're worried about is looking bad with one or two you still have quite a ways to go.

I don't think SPC is really a rank anyone starts to wonder about in the USAR/NG. Many a folks riding that health insurance wave without having to burn themselves out. It's the PFC's and below one has to wonder.

Response by CSM William Everroad made May 2 at 2023 1:05 PM

2023-05-02T13:05:19-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, lots of great advice so far.

My question is, why is it a big deal to you? Most Guard and Reserve people I know are proud of their service. Their service is no where near "less than" an Active Duty person. Most of the conflicts between the components is a misunderstanding of the differences between them.

AD Soldiers may think that a reserve Soldier is a part-time Soldier that has devoted less than an 1/8th of the equivalent time to get where they are and as such is not as competent as an equivalent grade.

RC/NG Soldiers may think that most of AD Soldiers time is spent sitting in the Motor Pool waiting on something to happen or counting sandbags.

The point is that you have an experience that made you the Soldier you are, and if it takes you wearing the same number of service stripes as the PSG to have that conversation, I think everyone would benefit. Like SGM Private RallyPoint Member pointed out, you balanced civilian work, education, social and personal obligations with military service and was presumably successful. Think about all the RC and NG Soldiers that did that and deployed. They had to put everything in their life on pause, go do a mission, be successful, then come back and reintegrate.

When I went to the Sergeant's Major Academy there were all components at the same course and we traded stories and everyone understood that no component is better than the other, just different with different challenges.