Posted on Apr 8, 2014
CW2 Jonathan Kantor
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When the United States Army began in 1775, NCOs wore their stripes point down.  This continued until about 1903.  Here's the question: WHY??  I have been looking for years and I can't find an explanation.  I found the memorandum instituting the change and the fact that it took about 2 years to implement, but I can't find out why.  Does anyone know and can you cite a source?
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SGT(P) Motor Transport Operator
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CW2 Kantor,

It would appear that you have just won the internet. It seems you have found that one unanswerable question. I also have wondered about it and never found an answer (though with my attention span, I never looked too hard).
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CW2 Jonathan Kantor
CW2 Jonathan Kantor
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That is a very interesting document and I am using it as a resource for a Civil War game I am developing!  I didn't really see a true explanation for the switch though.
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SSgt Gregory Guina
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But why did the navy keep points down?<br><br>
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SSG Ed Mikus
SSG Ed Mikus
10 y
maybe because the Navy's history is independent of the Army yet all stems from the same European roots.&nbsp;
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SSG Kenneth Ponder
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Same reason USArmy started wearing Black Berets, ASR,OSR,NPDR, some damned officer,usually a general thought it was a good idea. But nobody wants to admit that they did it.
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