Standard Procedure for Proper Uniform Wear & Placement of Uniform Items
General Guidance/Information
The Army JROTC cadet uniform (the blue, Army Service Uniform (ASU) and the ACU are authorized for wear by JROTC Cadets. Until the transition to ASUs is complete, cadets are still authorized to wear the Army Green Uniform (AGU) until its wear-out date of October 2015. The Class A or B uniform is the standard for the classroom and campus. (The ACU is to be worn only as an exception during adventure training, JCLC, or special team activities such as Raider Challenge events.) The JROTC Army Service Uniform (ASU) is the primary uniform for all Army JROTC units. The Army Service Uniform (ASU) for JROTC Cadets is composed of: an Enlisted Army Blue 450 Coat (without stripes on the edge of the sleeves); Army Blue 451 Trousers (without the yellow braid (males)); Army Blue 451 Slacks (without the yellow braid (females)); Army Blue 450 Skirt (females) (optional); a gray short or long sleeve shirt (AG 344); necktie; the Gray Beret (wool); and the authorized belt w/buckle, black dress shoes, and black dress socks. The Army JROTC Black Jacket Windbreaker (with JROTC emblem) and the all-weather black rain coats are also authorized to wear as necessitated by the weather. (Although all cadets are authorized to wear the black JROTC emblem windbreaker, cadets temporarily not issued the ASU or AGU coat, may wear the jacket as a replacement item.)
Wear of the JROTC Uniform by Cadets. Cadets will normally wear the Class A or Class B uniform at least once per week, on the designated day, (usually Wednesday). Uniforms must present a neat and clean appearance. Loose strings will be cut from the uniform. No jewelry, watch chains, combs, checkbooks, pens, pencils or similar items will appear exposed on uniforms. The Army uniform will not be mixed with civilian clothing. Bulky items in pockets distract from the uniform. While in uniform, Cadets will not place their hands in their pockets except momentarily to place or retrieve items.
The following are considered appropriate occasions for Cadets to wear the Army uniform:
· JROTC Class/Leadership laboratory
· When visiting a military installation to participate in military drill or exercises
· Military social functions.
· Parades and similar ceremonies.
JROTC Cadets are prohibited from wearing the JROTC ASU, AGU or ACU uniform in any of the following situations:
· In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment.
· When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by the CG, USACC.
· When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.
· When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army.
· When specifically prohibited by Army regulations.
· In connection with any activity that would be considered offensive for the JROTC Program.
Personal Appearance
JROTC is a uniformed organization which is judged, in part, by how a Cadet wears a prescribed uniform and maintains his/her personal appearance. Therefore, a neat and well-groomed appearance by all Cadets is fundamental to JROTC and contributes to building the pride and esprit essential to an effective Corps of Cadets.
Hair Styles. Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. Hair will be neatly groomed. The length and bulk of hair will not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. Hair will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar. Lines or designs will not be cut into the hair or scalp. If dyes, tints, or bleaches are used, colors used must be natural to human hair and not present an extreme appearance. Applied hair colors which are prohibited include, but are not limited to, purple, blue, and pink, green, orange, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent or neon colors. It is the responsibility of Instructors to use good judgment in determining if applied colors are acceptable, based upon the overall effect on Cadets’ appearance.
· Males. Sideburns will be neatly trimmed. The base will not be flared and will be a clean-shaven, horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. The face will be clean-shaven, except for permitted mustaches. Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of hair) while in uniform. Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the scalp is authorized.
· Females. Hairstyles will not interfere with proper wearing of military headgear. Hair holding ornaments (barrettes, pins, clips), if used, must be transparent or similar in color to hair, and will be inconspicuously placed. Beads or similar ornamental items are not authorized. Females may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided style is conservative and the braids and cornrows lie snugly on the head. Hair will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar at any time during normal activity or when standing in formation. Long hair that falls naturally below the bottom edge of the collar, to include braids, will be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned, so that no free-hanging hair is visible.
Fingernails. Cadets will keep fingernails clean and neatly trimmed so as not to interfere with performance of duty. Females may wear polish that is not exaggerated, faddish, or of extreme coloring (such as purple, gold, blue or white) while in uniform. It is the responsibility of Instructors to use good judgment in determining if applied colors are acceptable, based upon the overall effect on Cadets’ appearance.
Hygiene and Tattoos. Cadets are expected to maintain good hygiene while in uniform. Tattoos are authorized except in areas of the body which would cause the tattoo to be exposed while in Class A uniform. Tattoos or brands that are extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist are prohibited, regardless of location on the body, as they are prejudicial to good order and discipline within the unit, the school, and the community.
Religious Item Wear. The term “religious apparel” is defined as articles of clothing worn as part of the observance of the religious faith practiced by the Cadet. Religious articles include, but are not limited to, medallions, small booklets, pictures, or copies of religious symbols or writing carried by the individual in wallets or pockets. Except as noted below, Cadets may not wear religious items if they do not meet the standards of this SOP (per CCR 145-2). Cadets may wear religious apparel, articles, or jewelry with the uniform, if they are neat, conservative, and discreet. “Neat, conservative, and discreet” is defined as meeting the uniform criteria of this regulation. In other words, when religious jewelry is worn, the uniform must meet the same standards of wear as if the religious jewelry were not worn. For example, a religious item worn on a chain may not be visible when worn with uniforms. The width of chains worn with religious items should be approximately the same size as the width of the ID tag chain.
Headgear
Headgear is part of the uniform. Cadets are required to wear the authorized head gear while outdoors or when carrying air/drill rifles or a saber. The gray beret with a distinctive flash is the only beret authorized to be worn with all Cadet Class A/B Uniforms (or garrison caps during transition). (Cadets may wear approved religious headgear in place of military headgear with the JROTC uniform: turban, hijab and yarmulke. Headgear will be conservative and subdued in color (black, brown, green, dark or navy blue or a combination of these colors). The headgear cannot bear any writing, symbols or pictures. Standard JROTC headgear will be worn when it can completely cover the religious headgear (e.g., yarmulke). Approved headgear are authorized for wear during all JROTC activities (i.e., drill team, color guard, parades, speaking engagements, etc) that do not pose a risk to the safety of the Cadet, Cadre or others. (For example, a Cadet wearing religious headgear can be exempted from certain “Special Hazardous” Training events that may result in injury to the Cadet or support personnel such as obstacle courses/rappelling, etc. During mandatory “Special Hazardous” training events, religious headgear should be removed to prevent injury.)
The JROTC Gray Beret is a one piece, gray knitted wool shell, bound with leather and a draw cord through the binding. It has a gold trim, black center flash (sewn onto the badge stay). The beret is worn so that the headband (edge binding) is straight across the forehead, one (1) inch above the eyebrows. The flash is positioned over the left eye; the excess material is draped over the right ear, (extending to at least the top of the ear, and no lower than the middle of the ear). (Cadets may cut of the ends of the adjusting ribbons and secure the ribbon knot inside the edge of the binding in the back of the beret.) When worn properly, the beret is formed to the shape of the head. The only items authorized for wear, on the flash, are the cadet, silver officer rank (centered left to right) or the enlisted 1 3/16 inch, gold “ROTC” wreath, (centered on the flash). (Note: If the garrison cap is worn (until its wear-out date of October 2015); cadet Officers wear their silver grade/rank insignia on the cap. Enlisted cadets wear the gold ROTC wreath, cap insignia. Both are worn on the left side of cap, one inch in, from the front crease, and centered vertically between the top braid and bottom edge of the cap.)
Rank/Grade Insignia
Class A. Metal rank insignia are worn on the button-down epaulets on the blue or green, Class A jacket at A.C. Reynolds High School.Silver metallic officer insignia will be worn centered between the bottom of the button hole and the top of the jacket shoulder seam, (with 1/8 inch between additional emblems if not connected). (Officer field grade (diamond) rank is worn with the wide center portion of the diamond(s) pointing toward the collar.) Gold JROTC metallic enlisted insignia will be worn centered between the bottom of the button hole and the top of the jacket shoulder seam. Enlisted ranks are worn with the chevrons pointed in toward the collar.
Class B. Cloth, shoulder-board, rank insignia (4 inch male/3 inch female) will be worn on the epaulets of the gray or green shirt, for all ranks. For cadet officers, the narrow end is closest to the collar. For enlisted grade cadets, the pointed ends of the chevrons go in toward the collar (see illustration at bottom of Class B examples).
Nameplate (white letters on a black finish)
Male cadets. The nameplate is worn on the wearer’s right pocket, centered between the top of the buttonhole and top of the pocket seam (Class A and B).
Female cadets. The nameplate is worn horizontally on the right side, between 1 and 2 inches above the top button (Class A) and centered horizontally on the wearer’s right side ((Class B) with the bottom edge along an imaginary line extending out from the top of the second button).
Honor Unit Designation Insignia (Yellow (HUD), Blue (HU) or White Star (MU))
Any Honor Unit Star is worn ¼ inch above the top seam of the wearer’s right pocket (males) or the top of the nameplate (females). (If worn with the Academic Wreath, the star is still positioned ¼ inch above the pocket seam/nameplate.)
Awards and Decorations
Males: Center (align with pocket button) individual JROTC (Army) academic, athletic and military excellence ribbons 1/8 inch above the wearer’s left pocket (Class A and B). Females: Ribbon awards are centered on the wearer’s left side, with the bottom row of ribbons parallel to the bottom edge of the nameplate (Class A and B).
Place awards in rows (no more than three across) with 1/8 inch between rows. General guidelines for all cadets: do not start a second row until you have at least four ribbons; the second and first row must each have the same number, before starting a third row; rows two or less are worn at the top, centered on the other ribbons or dressed to the left (third and subsequent rows may be aligned to the left to allow for visibility. All ribbons are worn in order of precedence (CCR Reg 145-2, 1 Feb 12), from top to bottom and the from wearer‘s right to left (see attached awards chart at Tab G).
Awards/ribbons from other services’ programs (i.e. Navy, Marine Corps or Air Force JROTC) will be worn on the wearer’s left side of the uniform, beneath authorized Army JROTC ribbons. Ribbons from other schools’ sponsored events/competitions (Drill or Raider meet participation awards) will be worn on the wearer’s right side of the uniform, in the same manner as Army JROTC ribbons on the left (no required precedence).
(NOTE: If meet participation ribbons are worn, the Honor Unit Star will be worn ¼ inch above the top row of these ribbons.) Medals and shooting badges are worn on the left side, pocket flap, 1/8 inch below the top of the pocket seam, for males, or left side, 1/8 inch below the bottom row of ribbons for females. (For those awards with both a ribbon and medal, cadets may not wear both at the same time.) Medals are also worn in order of precedence, from wearer’s right to left. When wearing a single medal or badge, it should be centered. When two are worn, they should be equally spaced out from the center. When wearing three, they should be equally spaced from left to right (no more than three across.) If more than one row of medals is worn, the additional row(s) will be placed 1/8 inch below the preceding row, in the same manner as outlined above.
Torch Disks and ROTC Letters
The gold torch of knowledge, disks and ROTC letters (cadet officers) are only worn on the Class A jacket. When only torch disks are worn (enlisted cadets), they are placed 1 inch above the notch) of the coat collar lapel (male) and 5/8 inch above the notch) of the coat collar lapel (female), with the torches bisecting an imaginary line down through the center of the collar seam (see illustration). When both ROTC letters and torches are worn (cadet officers), the letters are worn 5/8 inch above notch of the coat collar, lapel and the torches are worn 11/4 inch below the bottom edge of the letters (5/8 inch below the notch of the coat collar), on the male and female uniform, with the center of the letters, collar seam V-notch and torches in alignment (see illustration).
SAI Approved Items
Distinctive Unit Insignia The A.C. Reynolds DUI (school crest) which has been approved by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry) will be worn 1/8 inch above the unit rating insignia (HUD, HU, or MU star-(even when academic wreath is worn), or ¼ inch above theright chest pocket on the male uniform and ¼ inch above the nameplate on the female uniform, if star is not worn.
Arcs. Approved JROTC Distinctive Arcs are authorized for wear on the A.C. Reynolds cadet uniforms. These include (listed in order of precedence): JROTC Leadership Challenge (JCLC/ Camp Carolina), Raider Team, (Rifle Team if appropriate), Drill Team, Bushmaster, Honor Guard, Color Guard, PT Excellence, (and arcs awarded for other activities from other schools)).
Arcs will be worn centered: on the on the right pocket (between the bottom of the pocket flap and bottom of pocket) (males class A and B) or below the name tag (centered on name tag), and parallel to the waist line of the coat (in the vicinity of the 3rd and 4thbutton adjusted to conform to individual figure – females, Class A) and ¼ inch below the nameplate (females, Class B), with 1/8inch between arcs (male and female). Arcs will be worn in the listed precedence (above), top to bottom.
Shoulder Cords. The following cords are authorized for wear with the A.C. Reynolds cadet uniforms: Staff Cord (dark green and gold), Company Command/Leadership (green cord), Raider Team (black), Drill Team (red) and Color Guard (White), (Rifle Team if appropriate (Tan)), Other permanently awarded cords (annotated in cadet record) from other services’ JROTC/schools, with SAI approval. If onlyone cord is worn, it is worn on the wearer’s left side. If two cords are worn, one is worn on each side. The Staff Cord is always worn on the wearer’s left side, (so that the ferrules are toward the front). No more that one cord many be worn on each shoulder; no more than two cords will be worn at the same time.
ACU. When authorized for wear (special teams, staff, JCLC), the ACU will be worn in accordance with this SOP and Cadet Command guidance. The ACU will be clean and neat in appearance when worn by cadets. It consists of the ACU coat and trousers, tan undershirt, sand-colored (tan) riggers belt and tan boots. (Special team T-shirts may be worn, on specified occasions, when authorized by the SAI). Boots (approved, tan (rough side out, leather w/plain toe and rubber outsole) are laced diagonally (tan laces), worn with the trousers bloused (neatly tucked into the tops of the boots or tied/banded over the top and rolled under the tie/band). Excess lace will be neatly tucked into the top or wrapped around the side of the boots. Subdued cadet rank (Velcro backed, black on digital is worn vertically, on the velcro tab on the center of the coat, between the two pockets.
Patrol Cap. The ACU patrol cap is the only head gear authorized for wear with the ACU. All cadets will wear the appropriate subdued cadet rank with the patrol cap. Cadets are authorized to wear individual name tapes (subdued foliage green and black (capital letters), velcro backed) on the back of their ACU caps, if available.
Patches and Name Tapes. The subdued (velcro backed, black letters on digital ACU tape) JROTC and A.C. REYNOLDS, name tapes are worn centered on the velcro strips above the wearer’s left and right pockets respectively. The subdued (foliage green and black, velcro backed), Army JROTC and A.C. REYNOLDS shoulder patches are worn vertically, centered on the lower sleeve pockets. The JROTC patch is worn on the left sleeve pocket and the Chamblee High School shoulder patch is worn on the right sleeve pocket. If a cadet is authorized to wear the Raider tab (subdued foliage green and black), it is worn on the upper left arm pocket flap, centered on the bottom edge of the flap (over the IR pocket tab), in alignment with the Army JROTC patch. The plastic name tag (white letters on black finish) is only worn, (centered above wearer’s right Chamblee High School name tape) for special occasions, when directed by the SAI. Cadets are not authorized to wear the U.S. Flag or any other items, on the ACU uniform.