Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

28–30. Distinctive items authorized for infantry personnel
a. Cord, shoulder.
(1) Description. The shoulder cord is infantry blue, and it is formed by a series of interlocking square knots around
a center cord.
(2) Approval authority. The commanding general of the U.S. Army Infantry Center authorizes the award of the
shoulder cord to infantrymen who have successfully completed the appropriate training. For Army National Guard
soldiers, commanders of divisions, separate brigades, infantry regiments, the infantry scout group, and state adjutants
general for separate infantry battalions and companies are authorized to award the shoulder cord to Army National
Guard soldiers who have successfully completed the appropriate training.
(3) How worn. The shoulder cord is worn on the right shoulder of the Army green, blue, and white uniform coats,
and the AG 415 shirts. The cord is passed under the arm and over the right shoulder under the shoulder loop, and
secured to the button on the shoulder loop. In order to attach the cord, officer personnel will attach a 20-ligne button to
the right shoulder seam, 1 ⁄2 inch outside the collar edge (see fig 28–173).
Figure 28–173. Distinctive items authorized for infantry personnel
(4) By whom worn.
(a) Officers and enlisted personnel of the infantry, holding an infantry PMOS or specialty, who have been awarded
the Combat Infantryman badge, the Expert Infantry badge, or who have successfully completed the basic unit phase of
an Army training program or equivalent.
(b) Enlisted personnel who have completed one station unit training (OSUT) resulting in the award of an infantry
PMOS.
(c) Infantry officers who have graduated from the resident infantry officer basic or advanced course.
(d) Infantry officers who have graduated from the Infantry Officer Candidate Course (during mobilization).
(e) Infantry officers and enlisted personnel in the Reserve components who hold an infantry PMOS or specialty.
(5) When worn. Infantry personnel (as described above) may wear the infantry cord as follows.
(a) During the period of assignment to an infantry regiment, brigade, separate infantry battalion, infantry company
(including the headquarters and headquarters company of an infantry division), infantry platoon, or infantry TDA unit.
In addition, infantrymen assigned to infantry sections or squads within units other than infantry units may wear the
cord when authorized by battalion or higher-level commanders.
(b) During the period assigned for duty as an Army recruiter or advisor, ROTC instructor, or member of the staff
and faculty of the U.S. Military Academy, as long as personnel retain their infantry PMOS.
(c) During the period of assignment at brigade- or lower-level BT or advance individual training units, or in OSUT
infantry units, as long as personnel retain their infantry PMOS.
AR 670–1 3 February 2005
263