Before the introduction of the Heritage Green All-Weather Coat and Heritage Green Windbreaker some time after the Army Green Service Uniform was approved in November 2018, wear of nonsubdued (gold) pin-on grade insignia by First Sergeants (E-8) was restricted to just two garments: the Garrison Culinary Smock (centered 1/4-inch above the nameplate) and Medical Assistant Smock (positioned on collar so the insignia centerline bisects the collar point).
Specifically, the regulations (DA 670-1, January 2021) state that “All enlisted culinary personnel will wear nonsubdued pin-on insignia...on the garrison culinary smock, or centered on both collars of the medical assistant smock...."Just how many First Sergeants wear these smocks, of course, is another question entirely....
Soldiers have the option of wearing subdued (black) pin-on insignia in place of either sew-on or embroidered cloth rank insignia, but they may not mix and match the two. Black metal First Sergeant chevrons may be worn centered on the hook-and-loop (Velcro) pads found on Utility uniforms; they may also be worn in lieu of subdued sew grade insignia on the Patrol Cap, Sun Hat (boonie), or the camouflage cover/liner of the ACU helmet.
More Items for E-8 First Sergeants