Why don’t we put rank back on uniform collar?

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 12:10:30 -0400

It’s annoying to stare at someone’s chest to try to see rank that may be obscured or is just difficult to see. It’s also annoying to see their face instantaneous with rank recognition. It was fine before and better placed on the collar in my opinion.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 12:30 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 12:30:00 -0400

CSM Private RallyPoint Member - as a soldier who joined after rank moved to the chest, having looked at pictures of when rank was on the collars, I don’t know how you did it. To me, the chest rank placement is front and center, easily aligned and visible.
You came up on a different standard, and when the standard changed, it scrambled your default program. Definitely makes sense. Happens all the time. Why do the kids text message all the time? Just leave a voicemail, for crying out loud. Just a different standard they were raised on.

In 25 years, when rank is moved to the arms, or wherever else the good idea fairy decides to place it, the Sergeants Major of the day (who are on the ship line to basic at this very moment) will be like, “why can’t rank just go back to the chest. It was fine before and better placed on the chest in my opinion.”

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 15 at 2018 12:53 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 12:53:51 -0400

Forgive me but I'm about to wander into the weeds here. And no, I'm not joking. Obviously, in any encounter, those on active duty are inclined to glance at the rank of someone with whom they are not familiar, even in passing to determine if a salute is needed. That means men are forced to stare at the chests of female service members and that tends to get me in trouble with women in civilian life. Is it the same in the active military?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 15 at 2018 1:23 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 13:23:57 -0400

Shhhh! They might hear us.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 1:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 13:32:09 -0400

It is also frustrating when someone is wearing their kit, or taking on TV and the rank is out of the view of the shot.

I am curious about the thoughts of the good idea fairy that came up with the notion of placing the rank there in the first place.

Maybe it was a cost factor. We only use 2/3 of the metal rank now.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 15 at 2018 1:41 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 13:41:26 -0400

I do agree that it does cause a shift in the eyes. Having never had that brought to my attention on before I retired, I will say that I would have run it up through the SMAs office. If you are currently serving I recommend you do the same. Thank you for your service. Of depending on your level, you may want to speak with the Dovision or State CSM first.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jun 15 at 2018 3:20 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:20:35 -0400

I believed they took it off due to the change of style of the battle dress uniform. The collar was meant to cover the neck in combat condition. Other armies such as France have worn their rank at chesh level going back decades. I'd like to see rank back on the sleeves again, not little collar size but full size to be worn in garrison and slick in combat zones.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 3:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:43:04 -0400

I've been wondering this very thing the first moment I saw a female Soldier in ACUs many years ago.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 15 at 2018 3:55 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:55:54 -0400

This is one time I think the Air Force has it right. For a very long time in US history, the Army, Navy, and Marines wore enlisted rank on the sleeve. (At some point the Navy decided to put enlisted rank on only one sleeve, but on the sleeve none the less.) The Air Force inherited enlisted rank placement from the Army of 1947--on the sleeve. Exactly why the other three services started moving rank around on their uniforms I can't explain, but it's time to go back to the future. Put enlisted rank on the sleeve. It can be subdued for combat uniforms and work uniforms, but I don't recall a report anywhere of enlisted rank on the sleeve of a uniform giving away to presence of an enlisted person in a combat environment. I can be corrected on this, but I don't remember seeing anything about it. We do know that shiny officer rank on helmets or hats is a bad idea. It helps the bad guys identify who to shoot first and there are documented cases of this happening from at least the Revolutionary War onward--shooting the officers first that is. So officers should wear subdued rank on collars and hats of work uniforms and perhaps no rank on headgear of combat uniforms. Service dress uniforms jackets (a.k.a. blouses) take care of themselves for all services. Shirts for service dress (Class B) sometimes end up with enlisted rank on the collar, bad idea.
I'm for keeping it simple: enlisted rank on the sleeve on all uniforms, coats, jackets, blouses, etc. Officer rank on the shoulder or collar. Subdued rank on work, combat, and special purpose uniforms. Colorful rank on service dress uniforms. Clean, simple, easy to remember, easy to teach.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 15 at 2018 4:52 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:52:57 -0400

I have never much liked the rank being placed on the chest. I would at least want it back on the collar but I would really like for it back on the sleeves.

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Jun 15 at 2018 10:06 PM

SGM (R) Antonio Brown — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 22:06:12 -0400

I had this discussion with a coworker yesterday. With the rank on the collar it is easier to distinguish enlisted from officers.

Response by SSG Ted Strachan made Jun 16 at 2018 12:35 AM

SSG Ted Strachan — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:35:29 -0400

Agree completely. I have always thought rank on the middle of the chest was at the least ridiculous looking, and at the most just plain stupid. Put it back on the collar (and I'll go you one further- put NCO/EM rank back on the sleeve, full size).

Response by SSG Ted Strachan made Jun 16 at 2018 12:37 AM

SSG Ted Strachan — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:37:36 -0400

Funny stuff, gunny!

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Jun 16 at 2018 8:16 AM

PO1 John Johnson — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 08:16:11 -0400

Maybe we should get the Uniform Board that did this and ask them what in the hell they were thinking?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 8:18 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 08:18:18 -0400

As some have noted here, the original idea was due to a uniform change, the mandarin collar, which would have obsecured the rank. As that collar is now gone, I’d like the chest rank gone along with it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2018 4:04 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:04:44 -0400

I also have re-entered service having previously served with rank on the collar. I would like to see it on the sleeves. The chest placement often is blocked by tactical gear and does direct the eyes down. The collar is most likely impractical do to the new smaller collar design and is also blocked by tactical gear. The sleeve placement seems the most efficient. It could be added as a badge to the bottom of the Velcro pad.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2018 2:17 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 14:17:54 -0500

Why doesn't the Army wear branch insignia?

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Nov 8 at 2018 6:18 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 18:18:53 -0500

Honest Truth, my only real gripe with army rank is you cannot tell a diamond or star from more then 1 foot away, cannot tell you how many times I was corrected in an indignant fashion for saying "Good Morning 1SG" to an unknown SGM. Sorry Guys, but there needs to be a clearer delineation between 1SG's rank and SGM rank.

Response by SGT Mark Estes made Nov 9 at 2018 12:11 AM

SGT Mark Estes — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 00:11:47 -0500

I completely agree with you! Bring it back:)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2019 12:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 12:44:32 -0400

Because we have about 20 different uniforms (seriously the army is like a fashion designer and is more concerned with what we’re wearing then what we’re doing most of the time), and need to be able to switch out rank and name tape at a moments notice when we’re told to change for the 8th time that day.