Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

Board questions from this publication

• What regulation governs the wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia, and what is its companion pamphlet?

  AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, is the policy. DA PAM 670-1, Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, is the illustrated companion. AR 670-1 tells you what is authorized. DA PAM 670-1 shows you exactly where it goes and how far from the seam.

  AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1

• How is the beret worn?

  The stiffener or flash is centered over the left eye. The headband is straight across the forehead, about one inch above the eyebrows. The excess material is draped over the right ear, between the top of the ear and the top of the head. The beret is not blocked, shaped, or cut.

  AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1

• Where is the U.S. flag insignia worn on the Army Combat Uniform, and which way does it face?

  The full color or subdued U.S. flag is worn on the right shoulder. It is worn in the reverse field orientation, with the star field toward the front of the wearer, so the flag appears to be streaming backward as the Soldier moves forward.

  AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1

• What is the difference between the patch worn on the left shoulder and the patch worn on the right shoulder?

  The left shoulder carries the shoulder sleeve insignia of the Soldier's current organization. The right shoulder carries the shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service, commonly called the combat patch, which is the insignia of a unit the Soldier deployed with in a designated hostile fire or combat zone.

  AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1

• What do service stripes and overseas service bars represent, and where is each worn?

  Service stripes, often called hash marks, are worn on the lower left sleeve of the service and dress coat. One stripe represents three years of honorable service. Overseas service bars are worn on the lower right sleeve. One bar represents six months of federal service in a designated hostile fire or imminent danger area.

  AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1

• List the enlisted grades and ranks from private through sergeant major of the Army.

  Private E-1, private E-2, private first class E-3, specialist and corporal E-4, sergeant E-5, staff sergeant E-6, sergeant first class E-7, master sergeant and first sergeant E-8, and sergeant major, command sergeant major, and sergeant major of the Army at E-9.

  AR 600-20 and DA PAM 670-1

• What is the difference between a specialist and a corporal, and which is the first noncommissioned officer grade?

  Both are E-4. The specialist wears the eagle device and is not a noncommissioned officer. The corporal wears two chevrons, is a noncommissioned officer, and is the entry grade of the NCO corps with the authority and responsibility that come with it.

  AR 600-20 and DA PAM 670-1

• Describe the insignia for sergeant first class, master sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major, and command sergeant major.

  Sergeant first class wears three chevrons over two rockers. Master sergeant wears three chevrons over three rockers. First sergeant wears the same as master sergeant with a diamond in the center. Sergeant major wears three chevrons over three rockers with a star in the center. Command sergeant major wears the star inside a wreath.

  DA PAM 670-1