Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

. All active duty officers are required to own the Army blue uniform for wear on appropriate occasions. The only
exception to this policy applies to officers who are on active duty for 6 months or less, who have the option of
purchasing the Army blue uniform.
c. The Army blue uniform is authorized for optional wear for enlisted personnel.
d. When prescribed by CTA 50–900, the Army blue uniform is worn as an organizational uniform.
e. There are two versions of the Army blue coat that officer and enlisted personnel may wear. The older version was
designed prior to 10 August 1992 and is described in paragraph 21–5b(1), below. The military specification for the
Army blue coat was changed on 10 August 1992 to the same pattern as the Army green coat. The new version is
described in paragraph 21–5b(2), below. Soldiers may continue to wear the older version of the coat (with the rounded
collars) as long as the uniform is in serviceable condition.
21–2. Composition
The Army blue uniform comprises an Army blue coat, slacks, skirt, and a white short-sleeved shirt with a black neck
tab.
21–3. 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.
21–4. Materials
a. Coat, skirt, slacks, and service hat.
(1) Wool barathea, 12– or 14–ounce weight, Army blue shade 150.
(2) Wool gabardine, 11– or 14.5–ounce weight, Army blue shade 150.
(3) Wool elastique, 16–ounce weight, Army blue shade 150.
(4) Wool tropical, 10.5–ounce weight, Army blue shade 150.
(5) Polyester and wool blend fabric in gabardine, 9.5–ounce weight, Army blue shade 450.
(6) Polyester and wool blend fabric in tropical 9.5–ounce weight, Army blue shade 450.
b. 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).
21–5. Coat, Army blue
a. Design. The coat will be made from an approved specification or pattern.
b. General description.
(1) Old version. The Army blue coat is a single-breasted, four-button, hip-length coat with two slanted front pockets,
long sleeves, and an easy-fitting, open collar.
(2) New version. The coat is a single-breasted, four-button, hip-length coat, with two slanted flap front pockets,
button-down shoulder loops, notched collar, and side-body construction.
c. Shoulder buttons.
(1) Officers authorized to wear an aiguillette will attach a 21-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 21-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 is used for the coat is attached to 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
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