The U.S. Army authorizes service stripes for the Blue or White Mess/Evening Mess uniforms worn by Enlisted Soldiers serving in any of the three components of the Army (Active, National Guard, Reserve). A stripe is authorized for three cumulative years of honorable Federal service in the Active or Reserve branches of any of the Armed Forces of the United States, i.e., Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and National Guard, so Soldiers who have accrued 18 to 20 years of service are authorized to wear this set of six stripes.
Service stripes are available in two size (width) classifications, Large and Small, and are worn with the corresponding rank insignia size classification, viz., Large stripes are worn only with Large rank insignia.
The length of Mess/Evening Mess service stripes varies because the stripes are trimmed to fit from seam to seam on the jacket sleeves. (Note: service stripes are worn only on the left sleeve of the Army Service/Dress uniform.)
Just as the stripe size classification must match the size of rank insignia on the sleeve, the color of the stripe’s fabric backing must match the uniform color (Blue or White). Be sure to review both your Size and Fabric selections in the drop-down boxes to the right before adding the stripes to your shopping cart.
Service stripes are sewn on at an angle of 30 degrees, with the bottom of the set inserted into the front inside seam either 1/4” above the cuff braid (Blue jacket) or 3” above the bottom of the sleeve (White jacket). The topmost portion of the stripe set is inserted into the back seams of the sleeves.