Although the use of service stripes to indicate length of military service dates back to the Revolutionary War, they were not introduced in the Navy until the 1894 Uniform Regulations were published. They were called “continuous-service marks” at that time and were issued in only one color (scarlet); in the 1905 edition of Uniform Regulations the name had been changed to “continuous-service stripes,” and gold-lace stripes were authorized for “permanent petty officers holding three consecutive good conduct badges.” The use of gold service stripes to indicate a dozen years of service worthy of Good Conduct medals was eventually expanded to Sailors in the E1 to E6 rates.
The size, color, and positioning of service stripes, as well as eligible personnel, are outlined in Articles 4231 – 4235 of the United States Navy Uniform Regulations (NAVPERS 15665I). While the stripes themselves come in only three colors—Cardinal (scarlet), Gold, or Blue—we offer them in a variety of borders to accommodate Veterans, Collectors, and others seeking stripes appropriate for discontinued Navy uniforms such as the Aviation Greens and the Service Dress Khaki.