Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

27–17. Neckgaiter
a. Type. The neckgaiter is an optional purchase item.
b. Description. The neckgaiter is a dark brown or tan knitted cylindrical tube of approximately 10x15 inches,
consisting of 90 percent polypropylene and 10 percent Lycra. The neckgaiter is camouflage compatible; one size fits all
soldiers.
c. How worn.
(1) The neckgaiter is authorized for optional wear with the temperate, hot-weather, enhanced hot-weather, and
maternity BDUs; with the extended cold-weather clothing system (ECWCS), and other cold-weather uniforms. It may
be worn as a neck warmer, hood, balaclava, ear band, or hat in cold, windy, or dusty environments.
(2) Commanders cannot require soldiers to purchase or wear the neckgaiter on an individual basis. However, if the
unit purchases the neckgaiter per the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) from within current available operating
funds, the commander can require the unit to wear the neckgaiter.
27–18. Neck tabs, female
a. Black, dress.
(1) Type. The black dress neck tab is an optional purchase item.
(2) Description. The material is polyester and cotton broadcloth, in Army shade 305. It is a quarter-moon neck tab,
which fits under the collar of the white formal blouse.
(3) How worn. The black dress neck tab is worn with the white formal blouse, with the mess and the evening mess
uniforms.
b. Black, service.
(1) Type. The black service neck tab is a clothing bag issue item.
(2) Description. The material is polyester and cotton, pre-cured durable press, plain-weave poplin, in an inverted Vshape,
in Army shade 305. The neck tab wraps around the neck under the collar of the female AG shade 415 (poly/
cotton) and AG shade 469 (poly/wool) long- and short-sleeved, tuck-in and overblouse shirts, and fastens to itself with
a Velcro hook-and-pile fastener. The neck tab design is one of overlapping tabs forming an angle.
(3) How worn. The neck tab is worn with the class A uniform, and with the AG shade 415 (poly/cotton) and AG
shade 469 (poly/wool) long- and short-sleeved shirts, in the tuck-in and overblouse styles. The neck tab is required for
wear when the long-sleeved shirt is worn without the class A coat. It is also required for wear when the long-sleeved
and short-sleeved shirts are worn with the class A coat. The neck tab is optional when the short-sleeved and longsleeved
shirts are worn with the black pullover and cardigan sweaters.
27–19. Neckties, male
a. Necktie, bow, black, dress or mess.
(1) Type. The bow tie is an optional purchase item.
(2) Description. The material is black silk or satin of a commercial design, without stripes or figures. The bow has
square ends not more than 2 1 ⁄2 inches wide.
(3) How worn. The black bow tie is worn with the Army green dress uniform, the white and blue mess uniforms,
and the Army blue and white uniforms, after retreat. Enlisted males may wear the black bow tie with the Army green
dress uniform with the white shirt at social functions.
b. Necktie, bow, white, evening mess.
(1) Type. The white bow tie is an optional purchase item.
(2) Description. The material is plain white silk or satin, or of the same material as the shirt, without stripes or
figures, in a conventional, civilian full-dress style, not more than 2 1 ⁄2 inches wide.
(3) How worn. The white bow tie is worn with the Army blue evening mess uniform, or, as an option, males may
wear it with the Army white evening mess uniform.
c. Necktie, four-in-hand, black, service.
(1) Type. The four-in-hand necktie is a clothing bag issue item.
(2) Description. The material is polyester, wool, tropical, or a similar type of woven fabric; a knitted fabric necktie
also is authorized. The necktie will be two-fold, four-in-hand, with pointed ends. As an option, a pre-tied, snap-on
necktie is authorized for wear.
(3) How worn.
(a) Personnel may wear the tie in a Windsor, half-Windsor, or four-in-hand knot. Use of a conservative tie tack or
tie clasp is authorized. The necktie is tied so it is no shorter than 2 inches above the top of the belt buckle, and so it
does not extend past the bottom of the belt buckle.
(b) The black four-in-hand necktie is worn with the class A uniform, and with the AG shade 415 (poly/cotton) or
168 AR 670–1 3 February 2005