Why can’t trained soldiers wear their school shoulder cord on Dress uniform?

SFC William Long — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 14:38:15 -0500

Do you all think that if your school trained why can’t we wear the shoulder cord on Dress Uniform. As of now only 11B is only ones allowed. So let’s send some letters to change the. Regulations?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2019 2:43 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 14:43:17 -0500

I'm lost for words. Since I been in the Army I've only seen 4 different shoulder cords (My lovely blue infantry cord, French fourragere, the Schützenschnur, and some band members wearing something)

Are you telling me every mos has a shoulder cord?

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2019 2:55 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 14:55:27 -0500

I don’t see any merit in doing so. The blue cord and disks were designed specifically for the Infantry. I took mine off when I reclassed to medic, and it never once occurred to me that there should be a red one in its place.
If everything is an emergency, nothing is. If everyone is special, no one is. It would be just another uniform item with no utility; there are already devices on the uniform that display MOS/Branch.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 1 at 2019 3:09 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:09:01 -0500

The Army does not issue shoulder cords to every MOS. In fact I believe there is one. If your MOS wears something at school i am sure it is not recognized officially by the Army, or at least outside of TRADOC. Who knows. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Feb 1 at 2019 5:37 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 17:37:30 -0500

Next you'll want your own combat badge! Oh wait....

If you want to wear a cord, reclass to Infantry. It'll be a lot easier than trying to "change the regulations" by writing some letters.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 1 at 2019 6:39 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 18:39:08 -0500

Really..? The US Army doesn't have enough gee gaws and doo dads on their uniforms already?

As a Marine, although it pains me :) to say it. The Army's history is pretty damn great. That said we (Marines) laugh like hell at the uniform changes and merit badges, choices of hats, and charm bracelet trinkets. Sometimes, less is more; and Lions do not need to roar.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Feb 1 at 2019 7:08 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 19:08:03 -0500

Infantry life sucks, in general, so they get to wear a pretty ribbon so they can feel special.

"A man will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." - Napoleon.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2019 7:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 19:39:17 -0500

I think this is one of the more terrible uniform ideas. If everyone has earned something, then why would we wear a badge or cord to show it as distinctive? If everyone has it, then it is not special. The Air Force has something similar, where they earn a badge for their tech school. I think it looks ridiculous that every single person has a badge.
Furthermore, you must complete your AIT in order to he qualified as a soldier. There is no reason to add unnecessary accoutrement to the uniform. And then, what about those who have completed two or three schools in different MOS fields? Should they wear two or three cords? Then we would look like a bunch of North Korean generals

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Feb 1 at 2019 11:21 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 23:21:05 -0500

SFC William Long I thought anything you earned you could wear on a Dress Uniform. I'm pretty sure it used to be that way. If not, IMO Soldiers should be able to wear what they earned while wearing Dress Uniforms. However, this did not pertain to Mess Dress.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 12:11 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 00:11:03 -0500

We could all wear cords made out of this and make everyone happy.

Response by SFC William Long made Feb 2 at 2019 8:36 AM

SFC William Long — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 08:36:45 -0500

Thanks for your support

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 5:55 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 17:55:28 -0500

My recommendation is to make an appointment with the CSM of the nearest Infantry unit and request assistance with wording of the letter. Don't let him know the purpose of the meeting until you arrive, and have a draft prepared.

Response by SSG Walter Corretjer made Nov 10 at 2022 8:39 AM

SSG Walter Corretjer — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 08:39:23 -0500

You're right in your point of view.The Army has forgotten almost everything regarding appearance and elegance,starting with most generals attitudes on this regard.When I started the military,there were distintive cords and scarfs for every branch of specialties in the Army.Those items made you proud of your branch,and put you appart from the rest of the component soldiers.Also the MP's used to dress very elegant in those days with their Class B's or A's,as well as the white hats and assesories,that made them look authoritative and sharp all the way throw.