Wearing your next rank under your collar?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 15:52:24 -0400

Am I the only one that wears their next rank up under their ACU collar? Is this nothing new? Other Soldiers find it surprising that I do, because they say that they haven't seen anyone do that before. I've been doing it ever since I was PVT. I find that it sends me a friendly reminder to keep pushing forward and helps me stay motivated when I need it. Thoughts?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 3:53 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 15:53:51 -0400

I see many people wear one rank above and below under their collar. Ready for any situation haha
But yes it is a nice reminder to keep moving forward and improving. And possibly help fix someone If their rank slipped off. SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 4:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:28:27 -0400

You're not the only one. I know of a Captain who has a Major rank under his collar.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 4:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:31:26 -0400

I've only done it when it was a rank given to me by a mentor...I like the idea of it and the practice is not uncommon.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 4:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:34:45 -0400

I've never done it but I've seen it. I've also seen a commander go ape because someone did it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 4:47 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:47:03 -0400

Some O's wear their branch....shhhh

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 4:49 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 16:49:14 -0400

I've seen it done. Never did it myself.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 16 at 2015 7:57 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 19:57:40 -0400

Well I guess no one should see it. It's for you, not everyone else.

Response by PO2 Pualani Ralph made Mar 16 at 2015 8:09 PM

PO2 Pualani Ralph — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:09:15 -0400

I have heard of people wearing their ultimate goal, like wearing SMA or equivalent . I agree its like a that you are trying to achieve.

I was given a Master Chief pin before I joined, I wore that pin everyday. I however didn't get the chance of making it that far but it gives you something to work for.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 16 at 2015 8:11 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:11:23 -0400

AF rank is too big for that. You will see folks with the next stripe posted on thier desk.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 16 at 2015 8:19 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:19:20 -0400

I wear a Master Gunner tab under there, since that school wasn't sexy enough to rate an official tab ;0)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 8:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:26:25 -0400

You are not alone. I have done this since I was a private. To me it provides a glimpse of the future and what I need to do to make it to the next rank. I have subsequently made E5, E6, and E7 in my secondary zone. To me it provides the motivation I need when I need it.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Mar 16 at 2015 9:03 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:03:40 -0400

That's an excellent idea and practice.

I've done it. In fact, right now there is a silver bar inside my patrol cap....

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Mar 16 at 2015 9:22 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:22:44 -0400

akin to prior enlisted Officers wearing the last enlisted rank under their collar to remind them where they came from.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 9:25 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:25:12 -0400

I meant to respond to the original question, however I got thrown into someone else's comment, here's my response:

I've never heard of anyone wearing their next rank under their collar. I have heard of CWOs wearing their anchors as a reminder of where they came from, which makes sense to me. I think as leaders its important to ground ourselves in our history, and to remind ourselves what its like to be in the same position as those that we lead. I'm not opposed to finding motivation to promote, however I'll never take my current rank and assignment for granted.

Response by SGT Micheal Adams made Mar 16 at 2015 9:34 PM

SGT Micheal Adams — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 21:34:30 -0400

I always kept my last rank handy, lol figured at anytime with my free spirit I just might need it.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 3:31 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 03:31:55 -0400

I use to keep one up and one down...just in case. Came in handy for PFC, just saying.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 5:59 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 05:59:13 -0400

I have heard of soldiers doing that. But I never did.

Imagine if the rank the soldier was wearing was one pay grade below their current rank.........hmmmmmmm

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made Mar 17 at 2015 4:46 PM

SPC Nate Lamphier — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 16:46:22 -0400

I never did. However, I know of some great leaders that did this.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 6:27 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:27:39 -0400

I certainly do it. Each time I gain rank, the next higher goes under the collar. Helps motivate me to earn that next rank. My old SGT now adorn my office wall with a note that the next person eligible for SGT will get my old stripes. Two of my Soldiers, that weren't really motivated to make SGT, are now wanting to get my old SGT stripes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 7:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 19:42:30 -0400

I had done it when I was a specialist.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 7:51 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 19:51:59 -0400

I do it as well, my nco put me on to it

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 9:48 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 09:48:04 -0400

In the Corps a lot of Marines will put their next rank in their cover so they can see it every time they take their cover off and put it on. Seeing it constantly is a motivational reminder. I've done it for every rank except Lance Corporal (I picked up right after MOS School and hadn't heard of the tradition yet) but I've got a set of SSgt chevrons in my collar now.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 18 at 2015 1:28 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 13:28:30 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, I never did this. I'm not aware of anyone that did when I was in and I don't think it was a common practice during that time.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2015 7:58 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 19:58:09 -0400

I would probably get the tar beat out of me (not literally though.....) if I tried to wear the coveted Anchors before I earned them. I used to keep a new cover with the next rank on it on my dressing table though. However, after I made second I found myself more focused on how I contributed to my team versus getting picked up for a rank I may not be ready for. I figure that my record will speak for itself, all I have to do is be true to myself and my team.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Mar 19 at 2015 3:44 AM

SPC Lukas Jones — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 03:44:51 -0400

I do this as well... I have been asked about wearing E-5 Rank under my collar as some other soldiers think that I am impersonating a Non-Com by doing so, but I was at a recruiter's office with my brother when he was trying to enlist and the recruiter had his next rank under his collar as well. I think it is a good motivational tool for some soldiers and I think that it should be practiced more! There is an E2 in our unit struggling to pass his PT Test and promote so I put PFC rank under his collar and told him when he passes, it will move from his collar to his chest... Since then, I have seen pictures from him every day running his butt off to prepare for the next text (It's 3 months away)... that reminds me... I need to go hit the gym!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 12:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2015 00:11:18 -0400

That's nothing new, ueas its younger Soldiers that are surprised. I have never personally done it, but it's nothing new.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 3 at 2015 5:45 AM

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 03 May 2015 05:45:52 -0400

I do. Keep the next rank with me as well. I was given all the ranks above SFC when a NCO was promoted to SGM they called me out and spoke about me. I was surprised, honored and it was a humbling experience.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 6:44 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:44:11 -0400

I did it for ever... Wore sgt under my collar when i was a CPL and then transitioned to my CPL when i lost that on my deployement as the unit that I had didnt want me as a CPL and never picked it back up

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jun 29 at 2023 3:10 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:10:17 -0400

Been retired a long time, so not familiar with current customs. Back in the day in the Nam, I saw Os have their current rank under their collar. Folks in the unit knew who they were, and for those who were not could flip it up and show. Kind like keeping RTO at a distance.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 29 at 2023 4:28 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 16:28:38 -0400

"Wish Pins" I recall those being worn by a few soldiers many years ago. I thought it died out a while ago.