What authorizes Army Soldiers to wear a sew on nametape on their trousers/pants above the rear back pocket?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 11:59:22 -0400

I have seen Army Soldiers wearing a sew on nametape on their trousers/pants above the rear back pocket. In DA Pam 670-1, it only states nametapes are to be worn on ACU coat and cap, but doesn't mention trousers. It also states modifications to the uniform are not authorized. So then why do I see nametapes on trousers? Is this one of those where you can add to, but not take away? Is it in an ALARACT/MILPER? Is it up to a commander or unit SOP to authorize? Can I be ordered to have it sewn on? Someone said they do it to identify pants when separating laundry and/or when working with thr ACU top removed. Maybe sewing the nametape to the inside belt line is better?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 12:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:04:27 -0400

I’ve seen this as well. I’ve heard officers do it a lot. We were told it is not authorized.

What’s wrong with I don’t know writing your name in your trousers? Or how about keeping track of your laundry and not leaving it unattended?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 12:08 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:08:03 -0400

Nothing. It is a relatively common practice though.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 12:16 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:16:46 -0400

Adding to but not taking away is also not authorized. The notes and signature page of regs and manuals clearly state that any variation requires approval from usually some G level authority.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 17 at 2019 12:21 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:21:34 -0400

None. I did it because of QM laundry. If you wear XL-L pants you just can’t get any pants back

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 12:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:42:38 -0400

Commanders authorize it. It is usually because of quartermaster laundry, or some schools where you conduct PT in ocp bottoms and no blouse. Sewing a name tape isn't modifying a uniform; modification would be taking the chest in, removing pockets, or velcro, adding new pockets, or removing zippers. It was pretty common during the start of GWOT when we would move our pockets off our chest and onto our shoulders because of body armor.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 1:30 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 13:30:46 -0400

I also do it for laundry proposes especially when you are deployed. I actually do both tapes US army on one side Last name on the other.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 2:27 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 14:27:20 -0400

(insert USMC/Navy joke here)

Response by PO3 Adam Stoflet made Oct 17 at 2019 5:04 PM

PO3 Adam Stoflet — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:04:34 -0400

When I was in the Navy that’s how our pants were issued from boot camp with our names sewn on them then we had to stamp and fill out the tags.

Response by PO3 Adam Stoflet made Oct 17 at 2019 5:04 PM

PO3 Adam Stoflet — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:04:50 -0400

When I was in the Navy that’s how our pants came issued from boot camp with our names sewn on them then we had to stamp and fill out the tags.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 17 at 2019 5:59 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 17:59:11 -0400

There is nothing that authorizes it. We did it for laundry purposes but for professionalism we were told to sew them on the inside left of the trousers along the beltline. It is hidden, no matter the inspection and allows for easy, consistent ID of clothing pieces.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 18 at 2019 11:23 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 11:23:02 -0400

There is no regulatory guidance sewing a name tape above a back trouser pocket. The only reason I did it was during deployments clothes would get mixed up during washing and the name tape on above a back pocket alleviates any problems.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2019 1:22 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:22:06 -0400

I would say that regs often set the left and right limits and leave the rest to Commanders. As an interesting, but perhaps relevant side note, if chaplains maintain Velcro, they must have a Velcro square sewn above their name tape in order to display their chaplain insignia. The sew shop will take a chest piece removed from another uniform to do this. None of this is specifically authorized, but is an implied task given all other info. The only other alternative, wearing a subdued pin, isn't appropriate in a field or downrange environment.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2019 8:11 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 20:11:57 -0400

Ranger school

Response by CW2 Jalistair B made Oct 19 at 2019 12:45 AM

CW2 Jalistair B — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 00:45:38 -0400

I thought the name tap on the back side of the trousers was a Navy thing so the sailors would know who they were with for the night?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2019 3:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 03:41:14 -0400

We did it in the Corps. I thought it was a good idea. We also worked with our tops off a lot more than we do in the Army.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 5:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:03:58 -0500

I do this to all of my ACU's, right above the rear right pocket. Normally I see it with infantry and combat engineers. I was told by a SSG that it wasn't authorized and I should sew it where the belt hides it, but I've looked over 670-1 dozens of times and never seen a regulation for it

Response by SGT Michael Sanger made Apr 4 at 2020 1:06 PM

SGT Michael Sanger — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 13:06:07 -0400

We did that in the Nam so they could identify your upper and lower to get you in the right body bag!!