Commonly called epaulettes (which is often spelled “epaulets”), First Lieutenant shoulder marks are worn on a broad array of garments, including the Black or Green Pullover Sweaters (“Wooly Pully”) and Black Unisex Cardigan, the ASU Maternity shirt, and the long- and short-sleeve shirts authorized for wear with the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and blue Army Service Uniform (ASU).
In keeping with the specifications found in DA PAM 670-1, we offer shoulder marks in a Large and a Small size “to accommodate differences in the manufacturing of shoulder loops on shirts and sweaters,” and consequently all personnel may wear either of the sizes with any garment. The manual refers to the two sizes as male and female, respectively, but all personnel may wear either size.
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Adopted from the British Army system, the rank of First Lieutenant as used in the Continental Army was considered a “subaltern,” a rank subordinate to that of Captain and one that was identified with a green cockade worn on a tricorn hat. Beginning in 1780, First Lieutenants and other subalterns would be identified also by their uniform (in regimental colors) and a single gold epaulette attached to the left shoulder, contrasting them from Captains (gold epaulette on the right shoulder), Majors (epaulette on right shoulder, a strap on the left) and Colonels and higher field officers (epaulettes on both shoulders).
More Army 1st Lieutenant Rank InsigniasIn 1821, the Army ended the use of cockades and replaced it with a system of chevrons for Captains, subalterns, and Noncommissioned Officers. Fifteen years later, in 1836, the Army introduced a single bar as the rank insignia for First Lieutenants and two bars for Captain; the bars were colored either gold or silver based on the border of the uniform’s shoulder straps (which was in turn based on branch). The bars on the insignia of Captains and First Lieutenants were gold and remained that color (despite changes to some strap borders) until 1872, when they were changed to silver so they would match the insignia of senior officers.