Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

(2) Service stripes covered in paragraphs a(2) and b(2), above, are worn on the Army blue and white dress, mess,
and evening mess uniforms. The service stripe is worn centered from seam-to-seam on the outside bottom half of both
sleeves. The first stripe is sewn on an angle of 30 degrees, with the lower end inserted in the front inside seam, 1 ⁄4 inch
above the cuff braid. The upper end of the stripe is inserted in the back seam of the sleeve on the Army blue dress,
mess, and evening mess uniforms, and on the Army white mess and evening mess uniforms; and 3 inches above the
bottom of the sleeve on the Army white dress uniform. Each additional stripe is spaced 1 ⁄8 inch apart from the last, and
above the first stripe (see fig 28–148).
Figure 28–148. Wear of service stripes on Army blue and white uniforms, enlisted
d. By whom worn. Enlisted personnel wear the service stripes as members of the Active Army, Army National
Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve, when they have served honorably, as indicated below.
(1) In Active Federal service as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of the Army, Navy, Air
Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
(2) In Active Reserve service creditable for retirement for non-regular service, in accordance with chapter 1223, title
10, United States Code, as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted member of any reserve component of
the Armed Forces, including the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.
e. One stripe is authorized for each 3 years of honorable active Federal service; active Reserve service creditable for
retired pay for non-regular service; or a combination. There is no limit to the number of stripes worn; however, service
stripes will not cover the chevrons. Service need not have been continuous, and the 10 th stripe is authorized after 29 1 ⁄2
years. Individuals authorized more than 10 service stripes may elect whether or not to wear them.
28–28. Overseas service bars
a. Large. A goldenlite rayon-embroidered bar, 3/16 inches wide 1–5/16 inches long, on a green background that
forms a 3/32-inch border around the bar. All personnel are authorized to wear the large overseas service bar. Enlisted
soldiers must wear large overseas service bars with large rank and service stripe insignia.
b. Small. A goldenlite rayon-embroidered bar, 5/32 inch wide and 13/32 inch long, on a green background that
forms a 5/64-inch border around the bar. All personnel are authorized to wear the small overseas service bar. Enlisted
soldiers must wear small overseas service bars with small rank and service stripe insignia.
c. How worn. The overseas service bar is worn centered on the outside bottom half of the right sleeve of the Army
green uniform coat. The lower edge of the overseas service bar is placed 1 ⁄4 inch above the sleeve braid of the coat for
officer personnel, and 4 inches above and parallel to the bottom of the sleeve for enlisted personnel. Each additional
bar is spaced 1/16 inch above, and parallel to the first bar (see fig 28–149).
252 AR 670–1 3 February 2005