a. Large.
(1) A goldenlite, rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe, 3/16 inch wide and 1 5/16 inches long, on an Army green background that forms a 3/32 inch border around the stripe. All soldiers are authorized to wear the large service stripes on the green background on the Army green uniform. Soldiers must wear the large service stripes with large rank insignia.
(2) A gold-colored rayon or a goldenlite rayon or nylon braid, 1/2 inch wide, and of variable length. The large service stripe braid is authorized for wear by all enlisted soldiers on the Army blue and white dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms. Soldiers must wear the large service stripes with large rank insignia.
b. Small.
(1) A goldenlite rayon-embroidered diagonal stripe, 5/32 inch wide and 1 1/4 inches long on an Army green background, which forms a 5/64 inch border around the stripe. All enlisted soldiers are authorized to wear the small service stripes on the green background on the Army green uniform. Soldiers must wear the small service stripes with small rank insignia.
(2) A gold-colored rayon or goldenlite rayon or nylon braid, 1/4 inch wide, and of variable length. The small service stripe braid is authorized for wear by all enlisted soldiers on the Army blue and white dress, mess, and evening mess uniforms. Soldiers must wear the small service stripes with small rank insignia.
c. How worn.
(1) The service stripes are worn centered on the outside bottom half of the left sleeve on the Army green uniform coat. The service stripe is placed at an angle of 45 degrees with the lower end toward the inside seam of the sleeve, and it is placed 4 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. For each additional period of 3 years honorable service, another service stripe is added above and parallel to the first stripe, with a 1/16-inch space between stripes (see fig 28.147.)
(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).
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 10th stripe is authorized after 2 years. Individuals authorized more than 10 service stripes may elect whether or not to wear them.