Posted on Feb 20, 2018
What is everyone's thought on wearing service ribbons in rows of 4 rather than the usual rows of 3?
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DA PAM 670-1 is the Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and paragraph 20–6.a.(2) states that "The determination of whether three or four ribbons are worn in each row is based upon the size of the coat and the position of the lapel." That said, the only photos I can find of people switching from the standard 3-across rack to the "grande" version are General Officers, Command Sergeants Major, and other ultra-senior service members.
I've been considering going big for a while to help with my OCD regarding alignment (4 across is a nearly identical width to the pocket), and now with the addition of 2 more hero medals, I'm starting think that it makes sense to go wide before I end up with a CIB on my shoulder!
Curious to get the group's throughs. Is 4-across something that people have seen in the real (non-Pentagon) world? Does it give off an air of pretentiousness or elitism that one may want to avoid? Does it risk giving some CSM a turrets tick because one of these things is not like the other? Or is it something that literally nobody has ever or will ever put this much thought into again.
I say again... OCD.
Thanks for the insight!
I've been considering going big for a while to help with my OCD regarding alignment (4 across is a nearly identical width to the pocket), and now with the addition of 2 more hero medals, I'm starting think that it makes sense to go wide before I end up with a CIB on my shoulder!
Curious to get the group's throughs. Is 4-across something that people have seen in the real (non-Pentagon) world? Does it give off an air of pretentiousness or elitism that one may want to avoid? Does it risk giving some CSM a turrets tick because one of these things is not like the other? Or is it something that literally nobody has ever or will ever put this much thought into again.
I say again... OCD.
Thanks for the insight!
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 39
I think you are on the right track. If the 4-wise rack is the same width as your pocket, then go with that.
To me, it depends on your size and build. If you’re small like me, the 3-wide rack is called for. If your broader-chested, I think the 3-wide mount would look...off. Therefore, go with the 4-row.
I interpreted the option as being the same concept as the approximations on the female uniform. It’s meant to accommodate for different sizes.
To me, it depends on your size and build. If you’re small like me, the 3-wide rack is called for. If your broader-chested, I think the 3-wide mount would look...off. Therefore, go with the 4-row.
I interpreted the option as being the same concept as the approximations on the female uniform. It’s meant to accommodate for different sizes.
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SFC (Join to see)
Additionally, you could start alligning your ribbons and badges to the right of the pocket. It will get your wings and CIB out from under your lapel a bit more.
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CPT (Join to see)
That's the best part of this config in my opinion: I no longer feel bad about left-aligning everything. That'll bring the chesticles all the way to the pocket edge with the ribbons, mostly out from under the lapel. Tired of just showing off the B in that CIB!
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Have to agree with most on here. I'm 5'5" tall and if I went for the 4 across, I'd lose everything above the second row to my lapel. It's no secret that the majority of senior officers and NCO's are well above average height. The majority of them have a mass of awards and ribbons. It makes sense if you are 6'95" to have a 4 across rack, so your awards don't go over your shoulder.
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Once your ribbon rack starts pushing badges or awards under your shoulder epaulettes, it's time to move to rows of 4...
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Hi think the vagueness serves a purpose. When you are a less experienced soldier you rock 3 across to fill the space. As you earn awards as a senior Service member you switch to 4 to avoid being a North Korean general
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I like the four across CPT (Join to see). And I noticed you got tired of pounding the ground so now you pound the ground from the air! I like it. I flew gunner in Vietnam when I could.
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CPT (Join to see)
In the Army, there's Infantry, and there's Infantry support. If you're going to be the latter, might as well be the ones with the nicest hair and the coolest rides!
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MSG Michael Caldwell
Do all of have that many ribbons that you have to go to four ribbons or is this a chest pounding contest. Follow your unit SOPs is my best bet
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When you wear your ribbons you are given the discretion of three or four per row to allow you to choose the display that more appropriately displays your awards. The pretentious selection would be to choose three per row so that you get the senior officer look of ribbons almost going over the shoulder to your back. Going four to a row to keep the rack lower, as long as all the ribbons are visible, is more conservative and looks better in my personal opinion.
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I agree with most of the comments have read.
4 wide for larger framed males
4 wide as long as it does not go past the seem of the left breast pocket on either side
4 wide if you have a tall ribbon rack
4 wide if all of the above are true and you have skills badges
3 wide if none of the above are true and your skills badges are not too high on the left breast.
Above all, make it compliment your achievements without detracting from the uniform and the professional appearance you need.
4 wide for larger framed males
4 wide as long as it does not go past the seem of the left breast pocket on either side
4 wide if you have a tall ribbon rack
4 wide if all of the above are true and you have skills badges
3 wide if none of the above are true and your skills badges are not too high on the left breast.
Above all, make it compliment your achievements without detracting from the uniform and the professional appearance you need.
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Strictly it is how it looks on one's uniform and if they have enough to do so. I know as I have x2 ASU jackets (8 pair of trousers - long story of expansion and downsizing) for my DA photos, one where I was a lil younger and cannot sit down in the jacket, the other where I can do PT in it. Each has a different lapel shape to it and each giving me more or less a challenge as to what looks right on the uniform. Last DA Photo was three across the bottom, however the photo for CW5 PSB was x2 rows of 4 on the bottom. Frankly the 4 across isn't the most friendly if you had to fold your arms forward, but standing up straight works fine. Truthfully, neither looks any better or worse, but it is how they are affected on the uniform, (more than 50% of a ribbon hidden by lapel), just my old man .02
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CPT (Join to see). I like the 4 wide row since it keeps the stack lower and doesn't hide the top rows and badges under the flap of the collar as much. Of course that depends on the number you have, but I have the same OCD thing that drives me crazy.
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