Army Orders Chaplains to Remove Rank From Combat Uniforms

Overview

• The Department of the Army issued implementation guidance on June 25 that requires chaplains to remove rank from the Army Combat Uniform within 90 days and from the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System within 180 days.
• The change covers the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve while chaplain candidates and all service and dress uniforms remain unchanged.
• The guidance preserves established customs and courtesies under AR 600-25 so chaplains keep their authority and enlisted personnel will use the chaplain insignia as the visual cue to salute.
• Trade reporting supplied concrete wear rules for units and supply chains, including centering the chaplain branch insignia on both collars, a one-inch maximum sew-on width, removal of the chest hook-and-loop fastener, and approved religious symbols for Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu chaplains.
• The policy follows a March Defense Department announcement and is meant to boost approachability and pastoral access for Soldiers while creating near-term work for units to replace insignia and update uniform procedures.