A service stripe is an embroidered diagonal stripe worn on the sleeve(s) of some military and paramilitary uniforms. In the case of the United States military, service stripes are authorized for wear by enlisted personnel on the lower part of the sleeve of a uniform to denote length of service. Service stripes vary in size and in color.

Denmark

In 2025, the Danish Defence introduced () for all enlisted personnel. Awarded after every third year of service, a total of 17 stripes (representing 51 years) can be worn on the left sleeve.

France

thumb|upright| insignia featuring two inverted seniority [[Chevron (insignia)|chevrons for the Legion Etrangere.]]

In 1777, the French -era army had used () worn on the upper sleeves awarded for each seven years of enlistment. Soldiers who wore such emblems were called ("breakers"). The practice was continued in Napoleon Bonaparte's army in which they were awarded for 10, 15, and 20 years of service. The French Army later moved them to the lower sleeves and the rank stripes to the upper sleeves. Service chevrons were worn on the lower left sleeve and Wound Stripes were worn on the lower right sleeve (influencing the U.S. Wound Chevron device).

Today, certain French units, including the French Foreign Legion, award seniority chevrons to its enlisted troops and non-commissioned officers. One gold chevron is awarded for every five years' worth of service, and are worn pointing downwards below the rank insignia and unit badge on the left arm.

Norway

In the Norwegian Army, the () are only worn by enlisted personnel and are awarded after every third year of service. The stripes are worn on both sleeves on service and parade uniforms.

United States

Sleeve stripes (known informally as "hash marks") are worn only by enlisted personnel. U.S. Army soldiers, U.S. Navy sailors and U.S. Coast Guardsmen wear their stripes on the bottom cuff of the left sleeve, They are worn two inches above the left sleeve cuff on jackets, and 1.5 inches above the cuff on service dress blue jumpers and the new summer white jumpers. On the old-style summer white jumpers they are worn two inches above the cuff. Multiple navy service stripes are worn a quarter-inch apart from each other.

History

In the United States, the concept of a service stripe dates back to 1782 when, during the American Revolution, George Washington ordered that enlisted men who had served for three years "with bravery, fidelity and good conduct" should wear "a narrow piece of white cloth, of angular form" on the left sleeve of the uniform coat.

In contrast to the Army, the Navy and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, a service stripe is authorized for wear by enlisted personnel upon completion of the specified term of service, regardless of the service member's disciplinary history. For example, a sailor or marine with several non-judicial punishments and courts-martial would still be authorized a service stripe for each four-year period of service, although the Good Conduct Medal would be denied.

United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard

thumb|A red U.S. Navy service stripe, denoting four years of service.

For the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, service stripes are given to service members for every four years of service. as does the New York Police Department

References

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