Wear of Decorations, Service Medals, Badges, Unit Awards, and Appurtenances

Combat and special skill badges and tabs

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a. Listed below in order of group precedence are combat and special skill badges authorized for wear on the Army uniform.

 

(1) Group 1. Combat Infantryman badges (three awards)(see fig 29.33); Expert Infantryman badge (see fig 29.34).

(2) Group 2. Combat Medical badges: (three awards) (see fig 29.35); Expert Field Medical badge (see fig 29.36).

(3) Group 3. Army Astronaut device (worn attached to any aviation badge) (see fig 29.37); Army Aviator badges (three degrees) (see fig 29.38); Flight Surgeon badges (three degrees) (see fig 29.39); Aviation badges (three degrees) (see fig 29.40); Explosive Ordnance Disposal badges (three degrees) (see fig 29.41).

(4) Group 4. Glider badge (see fig 29-42); Parachutist badges (three degrees) (see fig 29-43); Parachutist badges with combat jump device (four degrees are shown at figure 29-44); Pathfinder badge (see fig 29-45); Military Freefall Parachutist badges (two degrees) (see fig 29-46); Military Freefall Parachutist badges with combat jump device; Air Assault badge (see fig 29-47); Sapper, Ranger, and Special Forces tab metal replicas (see fig 29-61).

(5) Group 5. Diver badges (five badges) (see fig 29.48); Driver and Mechanic badge (see fig 29.49); Parachute Rigger badge (see fig 29.50).

(6) Physical Fitness badge. The Physical Fitness badge is authorized for wear on the Physical fitness uniform and the improved physical fitness uniform, only (see fig 29.51).

b. Wear of combat and special skill badges.

 

(1) Wear of commercial, mirror-like finish combat and special skill badges is authorized. However, soldiers may not mix these badges with combat and special skill badges that do not have the mirror-like finish.

(2) A total of five combat and special skill badges are authorized for wear at one time; this total does not include special skill tabs (see figs 29.52 and 29.53). Personnel may wear only one badge each from groups 1, 2, and 3, as listed in paragraph a, above. Personnel also may wear three badges from group 4, and two badges from group 5, but the total number of badges cannot exceed five. Combat badges have precedence over special skill badges within the same group. For example, if an individual is authorized to wear the Combat Infantry badge and the Expert Infantry badge, the Combat Infantry badge is worn. There is no precedence for special skill badges within the same group. For example, personnel who are authorized to wear the Parachutist and Air Assault badges may determine the order of wear. The above policies apply to the wear of both non-subdued and subdued badges.

(3) Only three badges, to include marksmanship badges, can be worn on the pocket flap at one time. Personnel will wear the Driver and Mechanic badges only on the left pocket flap of service and dress uniforms, or in a similar location on uniforms without pockets. Personnel may attach no more than three clasps to the Driver and Mechanic badges. The Driver and Mechanic badges are not authorized for wear on utility uniforms.

(4) The Physical Fitness badge is authorized only as a cloth badge and is worn on the physical fitness uniform and on the improved physical fitness uniform, only. The badge is worn centered on the left front side above the breast on the PFU or IPFU T-shirt, and on the PFU sweatshirt. On the IPFU running jacket, the insignia is sewn centered 1/2 inch above the word Army.

 

c. Wear of non-subdued full-size and miniature combat and special skill badges, with or without ribbons, on male and female service and dress uniforms.

(1) On the service and dress uniforms, personnel may wear up to three combat and special skill badges from groups 1 through 3, above the ribbons or pocket flap, or in a similar location for uniforms without pockets. When no badges from groups 1 through 3 are worn, personnel may wear a total of three combat and special skill badges from groups 4 and 5 above the ribbons or pocket flap, or in a similar location on uniforms without pockets. When three badges are worn above the ribbons or pocket flap, three badges, to include marksmanship badges, can be worn side-by-side on the pocket flap, or below the ribbons on uniforms without pockets, in order of group precedence from the wearer’s right to left. (Para 29.8b describes wear of combat and special skill badges with full-size medals; para 29.16b describes wear of badges on the pocket flap, or below the ribbons.)

(2) How worn. Combat and special skill badges are worn on the coats of the Army green, blue, and white uniforms; the AG shade 415 shirt, and on the Army maternity tunic (females only). Personnel wear the badges 1/4 inch above the ribbons or the top of the pocket, one above the other, with 1/2 inch between badges, or they are worn on the pocket flap, as described in paragraph 29.16b, or in a similar location for uniforms without pockets. In those instances where the coat lapel obscures the ribbons or medals, personnel may wear the badges (or airborne background trimming, if worn beneath the badge) aligned with the left edge of the ribbons or medals (see figs 29.54 through 29.57).

(3) Dress miniature badges.

(a) The dress miniature combat and special skill badges are worn on the blue and white dress uniforms only when miniature medals are worn. (Dress miniature badges and miniature medals are worn on the Army blue and white dress uniforms only when these uniforms are worn as formal dress uniforms (with bow tie).) When miniature medals are worn on these uniforms, personnel may wear up to three dress miniature combat and special skill badges from groups 1 through 5 (see para 29.17a, above), one above the other, above the miniature medals in order of group precedence. When miniature medals are worn, personnel will not wear dress miniature combat and special skill and marksmanship badges on the pocket flap, or below the medals on uniforms without pockets.

(b) Dress miniature combat and special skill badges are worn on all mess and evening mess uniforms. Personnel may wear up to five combat and special skill badges from groups 1 through 5. If no badge from groups 1 through 3 is worn, personnel may wear five badges from groups 4 and 5. When two badges are worn, they are placed side-by-side immediately above the miniature medals. When three badges are worn, two are placed side-by-side immediately above the medals, and the third is centered 1/4 inch above the other two badges. When four badges are worn, the third and fourth badges are centered side-by-side 1/4 inch above the other two badges. When five badges are worn, the fifth will be worn centered 1/4 inch above the third and fourth badges. Badges are worn in order of group precedence; on the male mess uniform, badges will not extend beyond the lapel. (Para 29.9 describes wear of miniature medals on the mess uniforms (see figs 29.7 and 29.8).)

(c) Personnel may wear dress miniature combat and special skill badges on the AG shade 415 shirt. However, they may not mix dress miniature combat and special skill badges with full-size and miniature combat and special skill badges on the shirt.

 

d. Subdued pin-on and embroidered sew-on combat and special skill badges. Personnel may wear no more than five subdued combat and special skill badges on the temperate, hot weather, enhanced hot weather, maternity, aviation, and desert BDU shirts. Badges are worn one above the other, centered above the U.S. Army tape, in order of group precedence. When five badges are worn, three are centered 1/4 inch above the U.S. Army tape in a vertical line with 1/2 inch between badges, and two are worn on the pocket flap, 1/8 inch below the top of the pocket, with at least 1 inch between badges. When four badges are worn, three are centered 1?4 inch above the U.S. Army tape in a vertical line with 1/2 inch between badges, and one is worn on the pocket flap, 1/8 inch below the top of the pocket, with at least 1 inch between badges. When three badges are worn, two badges are centered 1/4 inch above the U.S. Army tape in a vertical line with 1/2 inch between badges, and one is worn centered on the pocket flap, 1/8 inch below the top of the pocket. When two badges are worn, both are centered 1/4 inch above the U.S. Army tape in a vertical line with 1/2 inch between badges. If only one badge is worn, it is centered 1/4 inch above the U.S. Army tape (see fig 29.58).

 

e. Wear of special skill tabs.

 

(1) Ranger tab.

(a) The full-color tab is 23/8 inches long, 11/16 inch wide, with a 1⁄8-inch yellow border and the word RANGER inscribed in yellow letters 5/16 inch high. The subdued tab is identical, except the background is olive-drab and the word RANGER is in black letters (see fig 29.59).

(b) How worn. The full-color tab is worn 1/2 inch below the shoulder seam on the left sleeve of the Army green coat. The subdued tab is worn 1/2 inch below the shoulder seam on the left sleeve of utility uniforms, field jackets, and the desert BDU.

(c) By whom worn. All personnel who are authorized, in accordance with the criteria provided in AR 600 8.22.

(d) Ranger tab metal replica. The Ranger tab metal replica is available in two sizes, full and dress miniature. Soldiers authorized to wear the Ranger tab may wear the Ranger tab metal replica as prescribed below. The full-size version is approximately 1-5/32 inches wide and is worn only on the blue and white dress uniforms, and the AG shade 415 shirt. The dress miniature version is 13/16 inch wide and is worn on the blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms. When miniature medals are worn on the blue and white dress uniforms, personnel may wear the dress miniature Ranger tab metal replica (see figs 29.60 and 29.61).

(2) Special Forces tab.

(a) Description. The Special Forces tab is a teal blue arc, 31.4 inches wide and 11/16 inch high, with the designation SPECIAL FORCES in yellow letters, 5/16 inch high. The subdued tab is identical in shape to the full-color tab, but the background color is olive-drab and the words SPECIAL FORCES are in black letters (see fig 29.63).

(b) How worn. The Special Forces tab is worn the same as the Ranger tab (see para (1)(b) above).

(c) By whom worn. All personnel who are authorized, in accordance with the criteria provided in AR 600 8.22.

(d) Special Forces tab metal replica. The Special Forces tab metal replica is available in two sizes. Soldiers authorized to wear the Special Forces tab may wear the Special Forces tab metal replica, as prescribed below. The full- size version is approximately 1-9/16 inches wide and is worn on the blue and white dress uniforms (see figs 29.61 and 29.62). The dress miniature version is 1 inch wide and is worn on the blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms (see fig 29.62). When miniature medals are worn on the blue and white dress uniforms, personnel may wear the dress miniature Special Forces tab metal replica.

(3) Sapper tab.

(a) Description. The Sapper tab is a red arc 2 3/8 inches long, 11/16 inch wide, with a 1/8-inch red border and the word SAPPER inscribed in white letters 5/16 inch high. The subdued tab is identical in shape to the full-color tab, except the background is olive drab and the word SAPPER is in black letters for the BDU, and khaki with the word SAPPER in spice brown letters for the Desert BDU.

(b) How worn. The Sapper tab is worn the same as the Ranger tab (see para (1)(b), above).

(c) By whom worn. All personnel who are authorized in accordance with the criteria provided in AR 600 8.22.

(d) Sapper tab metal replica. The Sapper tab metal replica is available in two sizes. Soldiers authorized to wear the Sapper tab may wear the Sapper tab metal replica as prescribed below. The full-size version is approximately 1-5/32 inches wide and is worn only on the blue and white dress uniforms. The dress miniature version is 13/16 inch wide and is worn on the blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms. When miniature medals are worn on the blue and white dress uniforms, personnel may wear the dress miniature Sapper tab metal replica.

(4) For purposes of classification and wear policy, the Sapper, Ranger, and Special Forces tab metal replicas are classified as group 4 special skill badges.

(5) As an option, soldiers may wear the full-size and dress miniature Sapper, Ranger, and Special Forces tab metal replicas on the AG shade 415 shirt. If soldiers wear the dress miniature versions of the tabs, they cannot mix them with other sizes of combat and special skill badges on the shirts. When personnel wear metal tab replicas on the pocket flap of the blue or white dress uniforms, or the AG shade 415 shirt, the tab is placed approximately 1/8 inch below the top of the pocket. If no badges are worn from groups 1 to 3, personnel may wear the metal tab replica above the ribbons.

f. Wear of three special skill tabs. Soldiers may wear the full-color Sapper, Ranger, and Special Forces tabs together on Army uniforms.

(1) On the Army green service uniform, the Special Forces tab is centered on the left shoulder sleeve, 1/2 inch from the shoulder seam, the Ranger tab is centered 1/8 inch below the Special Forces tab, and the Sapper tab is centered 1/8 inch below the Ranger tab. The current unit shoulder sleeve insignia is centered 1/4 inch below the Sapper tab. On the utility uniforms and the cold weather jackets, personnel wear the subdued tabs in the same positions as on the Army green service uniform (see fig 29-60).

(2) On the Army blue and white uniforms, and on the AG shade 415 shirt, personnel wear the full-size metal tab replicas on the pocket flap, 1/8 inch from the top of the pocket, with approximately 1/2 inch between the tabs. If no badges are worn from groups 1 to 3, personnel may wear the metal tab replicas above the ribbons (see fig 29-61). (3) See paragraph 29.17c(3)

(b)for a description of how to wear the dress miniature metal Sapper, Special Forces, and Ranger tab replicas together on the Army blue and white mess and evening mess uniforms (see fig 29.62).\

 

 

 

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