Wear of the Uniform

Personal appearance is important because it demonstrates the pride and self-discipline that you feel as a soldier. Your uniform should fit well and be clean, serviceable, and pressed as necessary, but your uniform is only part of your appearance. To really look like a soldier, you need to be physically fit, meet acceptable weight standards, and have a neat hairstyle in accordance with Army regulations.

Insignia Placement
Awards and Decorations
Haircuts and Shaving
Accessories
AR 670-1 - site is broken.
Wear-out and Mandatory Possession Dates

Insignia Placement Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Army National Guard (ARNG) and Reserve (USAR) trainees are authorized to wear the insignia of their home unit from the start of basic training. It will be worn centered on the left sleeve 1/2 inch below the top of the shoulder seam on all Army uniform coats and jackets. Only subdued shoulder sleeve insignia will be worn on field and work uniforms (Class Cs).

US Army Distinguishing Insignia - The "US ARMY" will be a strip of olive green cloth, 4 1/2 inches long (or to the edges of the pocket flap) and 1 inch wide, with the inscription "US ARMY" in black, block letters, 3/4 inch high. It will be worn immediately above and parallel to the top edge of the left breast pocket of all field and work uniform coats and shirts.

Name Tape - The name tape will be a strip of olive green cloth, 4 1/2 inches long (or to the edges of the pocket flap) and 1 inch wide, with the individual's name in black block letters. The name tape will be worn immediately above and parallel to the top edge of the right breast pocket of all field and work uniform coats and shirts. The name and US Army tapes will be the same length.

Rank Insignia - Subdued pin-on insignia of rank will be worn centered on both collars of all field, work, and utility uniform coats and jackets (Class Cs) with the center line of the insignia bisecting the points of the collar and positioned 1 inch from the collar point. Specialists (E4) and below must always wear their bright insignia of rang on the collars of the Army green shirt (Class Bs and As). Corporals and above must wear the shoulder board insignia of rank.

US and Branch Insignia - During initial entry training, soldiers will wear the "US" insignia on both collars of Class A coats. The bottom of the insignia disk will be 1 inch above the notches on the collar, with the center line of the insignia bisecting the notch and parallel to the inside edge of the collar on the Army green, white and blue uniform coats. In addition, the bottom of the insignia disk will be 5/8 inch above the collar lapel seam on the female classic green uniform coat. The insignia for the MOS branch will be worn on the left collar instead of the "US", after the completion of AIT.

Hair and Makeup Male Personnel - Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as hair does not fall over the ears or eyebrows or touch the collar (except for closely cut hair at the back of the neck.) Hair should be tapered, although a moderate "blockcut" fullness in the back is permitted. Sideburns must be neatly trimmed, not flared, and must not extend downward beyond the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. The face must be clean-shaven, although mustaches are permitted. Mustaches must be neatly trimmed and no part of the mustache will cover the upper lip line or extend horizonally beyond or below the corners of the mouth when the mouth is closed. Hair must not interfere with the wearing of military headgear.

Female Personnel - The bulk or length of hair must not interfere with the wearing of military headgear. Hair must not extend below the bottom edge of the collar. Any hair-holding ornaments must be of a natural hair color or transparent. Makeup and nail polish should be conservative and complement the uniform.

Accessories Belts and Buckles - The web belt will be a 1 1/4 inch web or woven elastic web belt of black color with a black or brass tip. A plain-faced, oval-shaped, solid brass buckle, 2 1/4 inches long and 1 3/4 inches wide, will be worn on the web belt with the dress uniform (Class As and Bs). The black, open-faced buckle, 1 11/16 inches long and 1 5/8 inches wide, will be worn on the belt with all field and work uniforms.. Only the black-tipped belt is authorized with this buckle. The tipped end of the belt will pass through the buckle to the wearer's left and will not extend more than 2 inches beyond the end of the buckle.

Jewelry - A wrist watch, identification bracelet, and not more than two rings (wedding set is considered as one ring) may be worn with your uniform as long as styles are conservative and in good taste. You may wear a religious medal on a chain around the neck provided neither medal nor chain can be seen. Females may not wear earrings with field or work uniforms. Earrings may be worn by females in Class As or Class Bs if they are no larger than 1/4 inch, round, plain silver, gold or pearl earrings.

Boots - Boots must be kept polished. A spit shine is not necessary. Heels of boots should be replaced after wear of 7/16 of an inch or more.

References: AR 670-1.