Per Army regulations, members of the Chaplains Corps do not wear rank insignia on Utility uniforms, instead wearing the insignia that denotes the faith they represent. For Christian Chaplains, this is the Latin cross, which is instantly recognizable as the universal symbol for all faiths that have as one of their tenets the worship or veneration of Jesus of Nazareth.
Although they are commonly referred to as “ACU ranks” because they are embroidered on fabric sporting the camouflage pattern used on the Army Combat Uniform, these black, embroidered rank insignias are technically referred to as subdued grade insignia. We offer these Christian Chaplain subdued grade insignia in three Styles, each suitable for a different uniform or uniform component, in the drop-down selector box to the right:
- Rank with Velcro: An embroidered Latin cross on a swatch of camouflage fabric with hook-and-loop (commonly known as Velcro) backing that is attached to hook-and-loop pads on Utility uniforms.
- Cap Rank: Similar to the Rank with Velcro insignia but without the hook-and-loop fasteners, this version is used when wearing subdued sew-on grade insignia on the Patrol Cap and Sun Hat (boonie). It may also be used by Soldiers who choose not to use Velcro-backed rank insignia on their Utility uniforms, but in those cases both the nametapes and U.S. Army tape must also be sewn directly onto the uniform.
- Gortex: Select this option for a cloth rank insignia tab that slides over the tab found on the front of the ECWCS (“Gore-Tex”) parka.
Pattern: Please choose the camouflage pattern that matches the pattern on the uniform on which this insignia will be worn.
The Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) has been used for the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), Army Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU), and utility uniforms and garments since July 2015. Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) was introduced in 2004. Uniforms and garments manufactured in UCP were authorized for wear from that time until 30 September 2019, which means that Soldiers currently serving in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, or National Guard are not permitted to wear garments or insignias manufactured using the UCP.