Historical Changes to U.S. Army Chevrons
The changes are illustrated with the appropriate insignia of rank for Sergeant of Dragoons or Cavalry.
| Sleeve
insignia in approximately the same scale. |
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1815 left arm only- above elbow |
1821 both arms- below elbow |
1833 both arms- above elbow |
1847 both arms- above elbow |
1851 both arms- above elbow |
| Introduction
of decorative wing-style epaulettes and fringe on shoulders of
uniforms necessitated rank on sleeves. |
War
Dept General Order (WDGO) changing NCO chevrons and including chevrons
for officers (Lt > Col). Reason unclear. Withdrawn in 1830. |
Decorative
metal shoulder scales necessitated rank on sleeves. |
WDGO
changing regulations. Reason unclear. |
WDGO
changing regulations. Reason unclear. |
1872 both arms- above elbow |
1902 both arms- above elbow |
1904 both arms until 1917, then right arm only- above elbow |
1920 both arms- above elbow |
1948
 both arms- above elbow |
| Change
in manufacture, chevrons outlined on material by heavy chain stitching. |
WDGO
changing regulations. Reason unclear. |
Introduction
of olive drab overcoat, service coat, and brown fatigue coat. |
Simplification
of the many dozens of insignia down to seven pay grades. |
Postwar
cost cutting prompted the two-inch wide chevrons. |
1951 both arms- above elbow |
1955/56 both arms- above elbow |
1958 both arms- above elbow |
1966 both arms- above elbow |
1968 both arms- above elbow |
| Small
chevrons discarded; back to three-inch. |
Change
to new Army Green uniform. |
Seven
pay grades were expanded to nine (added SSG & SGM). |
Need
for subdued chevrons in Vietnam. |
US
Army Band Ceremonial uniform |
2006/07 both arms- above elbows |
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| Change from Army Green
to blue Army Service Uniform |
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Insignia Other than Sleeve in their approximate scale. |
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1968  both collars |
1972 both lapels |
1975 both lapels & both collars |
1981 both shoulders |
1991 both collars |
| Rolling
sleeves in hot climate necessitated subdued insignia move to the
collars. |
Black
metal insignia hard to see on Army Green uniform. White plastic
backings added. |
Brass
replaced the black & white two-piece combination chevrons. |
Shoulder
marks introduced to stop metal pins from shredding dress shirt collars,
for Corporals and above. |
Added desert subdued. |
2004 single Velcro-backed "patch" at front center of blouse |
2005 single Velcro-backed "patch" at front center of blouse |
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| New
Army Combat Uniforms (ACU) of
digitized camouflage patterns. First used plain subdued
cloth and later cloth with the patterns themselves. |
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