SSD2 Module 2 Notes
MODULE 02 NOTES
History of the NCO
Evolution of the NCO Insignia
Overview
The NCO insignia evolved through the years from a variety of shapes, styles, and colors to the chevrons worn today. Sometimes changes in uniform style and colors dictated changes in the style and color of the chevrons. The history of the insignia is complex and often confusing. In some cases, no official records survived to document the use of certain insignia. Many times, the vagueness of official records resulted in conflicting interpretations by individual NCOs, which led to a variety of insignia designs for the same official rank. In still other cases, NCOs wore unauthorized grade insignia, leaving little if any documentation.
The Year - 1775
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army did not have consistent uniforms, and the problem of distinguishing rank was often difficult. To solve this problem, in July 1775, General George Washington ordered designations of grade for officers and noncommissioned officers. All sergeants were to be distinguished by a red epaulette or a strip of red cloth sewn on the right shoulder and corporals by a green epaulette or strip. Epaulettes continued to distinguish NCOs for years to come. In 1779, Washington authorized sergeants to wear two silk epaulettes, and corporals would wear one from worsted (a smooth compact yarn from long wool fibers used especially for firm napless fabrics) on the right shoulder. White epaulettes designated infantry NCOs, yellow the artillery, and blue the cavalry.
The Year - 1821
When regulations in 1821 directed the wearing of uniforms with cloth wings (wool worsted wings trimmed in the branch color on, which generally fell over the shoulders), the Army had to find another way to distinguish rank besides epaulettes. It adopted a stripe, or chevron, for officers and NCOs to wear on the arm of the uniform, with the points up. Colors identified the two branches: yellow for artillery and white for infantry.
History of the NCO
Evolution of the NCO Insignia
Overview
The NCO insignia evolved through the years from a variety of shapes, styles, and colors to the chevrons worn today. Sometimes changes in uniform style and colors dictated changes in the style and color of the chevrons. The history of the insignia is complex and often confusing. In some cases, no official records survived to document the use of certain insignia. Many times, the vagueness of official records resulted in conflicting interpretations by individual NCOs, which led to a variety of insignia designs for the same official rank. In still other cases, NCOs wore unauthorized grade insignia, leaving little if any documentation.
The Year - 1775
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army did not have consistent uniforms, and the problem of distinguishing rank was often difficult. To solve this problem, in July 1775, General George Washington ordered designations of grade for officers and noncommissioned officers. All sergeants were to be distinguished by a red epaulette or a strip of red cloth sewn on the right shoulder and corporals by a green epaulette or strip. Epaulettes continued to distinguish NCOs for years to come. In 1779, Washington authorized sergeants to wear two silk epaulettes, and corporals would wear one from worsted (a smooth compact yarn from long wool fibers used especially for firm napless fabrics) on the right shoulder. White epaulettes designated infantry NCOs, yellow the artillery, and blue the cavalry.
The Year - 1821
When regulations in 1821 directed the wearing of uniforms with cloth wings (wool worsted wings trimmed in the branch color on, which generally fell over the shoulders), the Army had to find another way to distinguish rank besides epaulettes. It adopted a stripe, or chevron, for officers and NCOs to wear on the arm of the uniform, with the points up. Colors identified the two branches: yellow for artillery and white for infantry.