a. Organizational flash.
(1) Description. A shield-shaped embroidered patch, with a semicircular bottom, approximately 2 1/4 inches long and 1 7/8 inches wide.
(2) Approval authority. The Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army, approves the color selection or color combination of the flash for each organization. The flash is provided without cost to enlisted personnel.
(3) How worn. The flash is sewn centered on the stiffener of the beret (see figs 28.11 and 28.12).
(4) By whom worn. Personnel authorized to wear the maroon, tan, or green berets wear their distinctive organizational flash. All other soldiers wear the Army flash on the black beret, unless authorization for another flash was granted before the implementation of the black beret as the standard Army headgear (see para 3.5a(3)(c)).
b. Airborne background trimming.
(1) Description. An oval-shaped embroidered device in distinctive colors, 1 3/8 inches in height and 2 1/4 inches in width.
(2) Approval authority. Subject to the approval of The Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army, a background trimming is authorized for organizations designated (by structure, equipment, and mission) “Airborne” or “Air Assault” by HQDA. Qualified personnel are authorized to wear the background trimming with the Parachutist or Air Assault badges. Personnel wear only one background trimming at a time. Appropriated funds are used to provide enlisted personnel with the background trimming without cost. If appropriated funds are not available, units may purchase background trimming with non-appropriated funds.
(3) How worn.
(a) Personnel wear the background trimming beneath any of the authorized parachutist or air assault badges on the Army green coat and AG 415 shirt. The basic portion of the badge is centered on the background trimming; however, the wreath and star on the Master and Senior Parachutist badges project slightly above the background trimming. On the AG 415 shirt when ribbons are worn, all personnel wear the trimming so the bottom edge of the trimming is 1/4 inch above the ribbons. When ribbons are not worn, males wear the trimming 1/4 inch above the pocket seam, and females wear the trimming in a comparable position.
(b) On the green uniform coat, males wear the background trimming and applicable badge on the pocket flap so the space between the seam of the pocket flap and the top of the background trimming, wreath, or star is 1/8 inch (see fig 28.174). Females wear the trimming and applicable badge on the green coat and the maternity uniform tunic so the bottom edge of the background trimming is 1/4 inch above the ribbons (see fig 28.175). When worn below the ribbons, the top of the background trimming is 1/4 inch below the bottom ribbon row.
(4) By whom worn. All personnel of an organization authorized a background trimming, and who were awarded one of the parachutist or air assault badges.
c. Cord, shoulder, marksmanship.
(1) Description. A blue cord, 3/16 inch in diameter, bearing a band composed of serrated markings at 9/16-inch intervals. Each marking consists of 1/16-inch white, 1/16-inch red, and 1/16-inch white markings. The overall length of the shoulder cord will not exceed 52 inches (includes double cord).
(2) By whom worn. All personnel assigned to the U.S. Army marksmanship unit, subordinate marksmanship training units, and the ARNG marksmanship training unit. The shoulder cord is issued at no cost to the individual.
(3) How worn. The shoulder cord is worn on the right shoulder of the Army green uniform coats and the AG 415 shirt, when it is worn as an outer garment. The cord is passed under the arm and over the right shoulder under the shoulder loops, and secured to the button on the shoulder loop.
(4) When worn. Personnel wear the marksmanship cord during the period of assignment to the U.S. Army marksmanship unit, one of the marksmanship training units, or the ARNG marksmanship training unit. Personnel who are transferred from these units are not authorized to wear the shoulder cord. Personnel in an attached or TDY status with these units, or the State small arms readiness training (SMART) teams, are not authorized to wear the shoulder cord.