Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

20–3. Occasions for wear
The following are appropriate occasions for personnel to wear the Army blue uniform.
a. On duty, as prescribed by the local commander.
b. For social functions of a general or official nature, before or after retreat.
c. On other appropriate occasions, as desired by the individual.
20–4. Materials
a. Coat
(1) Wool barathea, 14-ounce weight, dark blue, Army shade 150.
(2) Wool gabardine, 11- or 14.5-ounce weight, dark blue, Army shade 150.
(3) Wool elastique, 16-ounce weight, dark blue, Army shade 150.
(4) Wool tropical, 10.5-ounce weight, dark blue, Army shade 150.
(5) Polyester and wool-blend fabric in twill weave, 9.5-ounce weight, dark blue, Army shade 450.
(6) Polyester and wool-blend fabric in plain weave, 9.5-ounce weight, dark blue, Army shade 450.
b. Trousers.
(1) General officers. The coat and trousers will be made in the same material and shade.
(2) Other officers and enlisted personnel. The trousers are made in the same material as the coat, except the color
will be light blue, in Army shade 151 or 451.
c. Headgear, service cap. The service cap will be made in the same material and shade as the coat, except that
officers also are authorized to wear the service cap in fur felt, 9-ounce weight, dark blue, Army shade 250.
d. Braid. Nylon gold-colored braid or synthetic metallic gold braid is more suitable than gold bullion when attached
to lightweight fabrics (11 ounces or less).
20–5. Coat, Army blue
a. Design. The coat will be made from an approved specification or pattern.
b. General description. The Army blue coat is a single-breasted, peak-lapel, four-button coat extending below the
crotch, fitting easily over the chest and shoulders, with a slight draped effect in front and back. The coat is fitted
slightly at the waist, conforming to the body shape without tightness and with no prominent flare.
c. Shoulder buttons.
(1) Officers authorized to wear an aiguillette will attach a 20-ligne button on the left or right outside shoulder seam
of the Army blue coat, depending upon the position in which the aiguillette is worn.
(2) Officers authorized to wear a fourragere will attach a 20-ligne button on the left shoulder seam, 1 ⁄2 inch outside
the collar edge.
d. Shoulder ornamentation and insignia.
(1) Shoulder straps for officers. (See para 28–8b for ornamentation and insignia.)
(2) Shoulder loops for enlisted personnel.
(a) A shoulder loop of the same material as the coat is used and attached on each shoulder.
(b) The loop is 2 1 ⁄2 inches wide at the outside shoulder edge, 1 1 ⁄2 inches wide at the inside collar edge, and piped all
around with gold-colored nylon or rayon cord edge braid, 1 ⁄8 inch wide. The braid is inserted in the joining seams so it
is completely visible around each loop. The loop is sewn on the outside shoulder seam and extends to a point
approximately 1 ⁄2 inch from the inside collar seam. The loop has a buttonhole 3 ⁄8 inch from the inside edge of the braid,
which is buttoned to the shoulder with a 25-ligne button.
e. Coat sleeve ornamentation. Ornamental braid is worn on both sleeves of the Army blue coat. Gold bullion,
synthetic metallic gold, or gold-colored nylon or rayon braid is authorized for officers. Gold-colored nylon or rayon
braid is authorized for enlisted personnel. The braid on the trouser legs and the coat sleeve will be of the same
material. The bottom of the braid is positioned parallel to, and 3 inches above the bottom of each sleeve as follows.
(1) General officers have one 1 1 ⁄2 inch gold braid on each sleeve.
(2) For all other officers, each sleeve has a 3 ⁄4-inch braid consisting of two, 1 ⁄4-inch gold braids placed 1 ⁄4 inch apart
on silk material, of the first-named color of their basic branch.
(3) Enlisted personnel have a 1 ⁄8-inch soutache braid of gold-colored nylon or rayon on each sleeve.
20–6. Trousers, Army blue
a. Design. The trousers will be made from an approved specification or pattern.
b. General description.
102 AR 670–1 3 February 2005