Stripe Nomenclature

Jacob Lessing · Wed Jul 07, 2004 9:38 pm

Judging from various posts that I've read, it seems apparent that many patrons are unaware of the proper names for the different kinds of stripes worn by enlistedmen. As far as I know, this list is accurate, but if anyone thinks they know better, I'd appreciate any corrections.

Chevron: the standard arrow-like stripe, pointing upwards.

Rocker: A chevron, pointing downwords.

Arc: A curve attached to chevrons or rockers, can point up or down

Bar: "Stripes" worn by officers on epaulets or around sleeve cuffs, usually
gold but sometimes silver. Also refers to US company-level officer
insignia.

J.T. Broderick · Thu Jul 08, 2004 2:33 am

Hi,

A "rocker" is the downward arc used in US Army and Marine chevrons. A "tie" was similar, but was a straight bar below the chevrons, used for staff NCOs in the Army up through 1920 and in the Marines up through WW2. For example, a USMC Sergeant Major would have three chevrons and three rockers, a Master Technical Sergeant would have three chevrons and three ties.

regards,
Justin

DiavoloRosso · Thu Jul 08, 2004 11:10 am

I always thought that "rocker" and "arc" were the same thing...

RD.

Guest · Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:39 pm

...As for the rocker, I've heard it refer to the inverted chevrons used in the US air force.

Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:44 pm

The rocker is the "U" shaped arc that appears on the bottom of insignia of Staff Sgt and above (looks like the rocker rail from a rocking horse or rocking chair). An "arc" usually refers to the downward pointing arcs found on specialist insignia above the eagle.

Erskine

Jacob Lessing · Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:47 pm

If that's so, then I'll have to check my sources again. If the rocker is the U-shaped stripe in the army, then what is the inverted chevron in the Air Forcer?

Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:43 pm

The AF uses the term "rocker" for it's enlisted grade insignia for grades E-2 thru E-6. If you notice how the device is shaped to include the star/circle, the "rockers" are actually "U" shaped arcs with the points bent outwards, having the circle superimposed over them. It adds chevrons on top of the insignia at grade E-7 and above.

Erskine

J.T. Broderick · Thu Jul 08, 2004 7:22 pm

Hi,

I should also mention that "rocker" and "tie" come from American cattle brand terminology. A rocker was a quarter circle curving downward, as in a "rocking R" brand, an R above a quarter circle. A tie was a horizontal line, longer than a "bar," if I remember right from my cattle branding days!

regards,
Justin

Thu Jul 08, 2004 7:31 pm

"Tie" is refering to railroad ties, I believe...

Erskine

J.T. Broderick · Thu Jul 08, 2004 7:39 pm

"Tie" is refering to railroad ties, I believe...

Originally, you're quite right. Which reminds me of the nickname for US Army captains' bars, "railroad tracks."

regards,
Justin

DiavoloRosso · Thu Jul 08, 2004 10:24 pm

Here in Italy, "railroad tracks" are the "marescialli" (senior NCOs ranks) badge, represented by one, two or three bars on the shoulder straps...

RD

Jacob Lessing · Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:39 pm

Would it be safe to assume that the elements of railroad tracks are emulated in the insignia of many countries?

Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:50 pm

Hi Everybody!
Chuck Anderson here!!

If you'd like to see some "railroad tracks" on a uniform, please go to the Peruvian Army pages in this website.

Officer ranks from O-1 to O-6 (2nd Lieutenant to Colonel) are shown by gold bars.......

2nd Lieutenant:...........One (1) Gold Bar
1st Lieutenant:............Two (2) Gold Bars
Captain:.....................Three (3) Gold Bars
Major:........................Four (4) Gold Bars
Lieutenant Colonel:.....Five (5) Gold Bars
Colonel:.....................Six (6) Gold Bars

ALL ABOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

See ya'!!

Chuck Anderson
USAFWO1_1975@military.com

Kedyw · Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:02 pm

Okay, if some of you are confused:

ARMY:

Private: No Rank insignia
Private 2: One Chevron
Private First Class: Chevron and Rocker
Corporal: Double Chevrons
Sergeant: Triple Chevrons
Staff Sergeant: Three chevrons and Rocker
Sergeant First Class: Three Chevrons and two rockers
Master Sergeant: Three chevrons and three rockers
First Sergeant: Three chevrons and three rockers w/ lozenge
Sergeant Major: Three chevrons and three rockers w/ star

Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:46 pm

Hmmm...
"railroad tracks" are in Poland reserved for enlisted men. From 1 (senior private) to 4 (platoon leader).
In France the bars are for officers up to colonel rank
And pls take into account the Chinese (republic) Air force insignia from 1939
So in conclusion - systems are VERY different
That's why I would like to write an article about similarities and differences in rank insignia systems (althoug I have no time to finish it - maybe when I'll be retired in 10 years ;-) )

Lee Ragan · Thu Jul 22, 2004 2:43 pm

I'll kick in my 2 cents worth on this one. Chevrons can point up or down. Rockers can point up or down. (See US Navy Chief Petty officers.) The term tie appears in descriptions of American Army rank devices back before the mid 1800's. Army Quartermaster Sergeants began wearing " three chevrons & a tie" (of 3 bars) by 1850 or so. The term "railroad tracks" refering to an Army or Marine Captain didn't come along until those men wore 2 metal bars which were attached to each other by 2 smaller bars. This had come into use by the time of the First World War. When Army Captains wore shoulder straps prior to this time, the bars were not connected; just embroidered side by side.
Hope this helps, but it just may add to the confusion!

kenneth · Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:59 pm

Hi all,

"railroad tracks" are in Poland reserved for enlisted men. From 1 (senior private) to 4 (platoon leader).

and

In France the bars are for officers up to colonel rank and
If you'd like to see some "railroad tracks" on a uniform, please go to the Peruvian Army pages in this website.

Officer ranks from O-1 to O-6 (2nd Lieutenant to Colonel) are shown by gold bars.......

2nd Lieutenant:...........One (1) Gold Bar
1st Lieutenant:............Two (2) Gold Bars
Captain:.....................Three (3) Gold Bars
Major:........................Four (4) Gold Bars
Lieutenant Colonel:.....Five (5) Gold Bars
Colonel:.....................Six (6) Gold Bars

This just goes to show that the world has completely different ideas of the symbilised rank and rank structures. Some countries like stripes all over and others are more regimental in providing different symbols for their armies mostly. However in most countries their navies share a very similar structure. The only reason this is, in my opinion, is that armies are normally land locked and have no contact with other countries. Where navies travel around the world and visit other countries harbours and navies, hence the similarity in the structure. This is so that one can easily relate to another sailor of similar rank. Am I on the wrong track?.

Kedyw · Mon Aug 16, 2004 4:35 am

The gold rail road tracks are also used in America's Junior ROTCs and many South American Armies, along with a few asiatic countries, such as the Old Chinese Air Force.

Necrothesp · Sun Sep 12, 2004 4:39 pm

Lee Ragan wrote:I'll kick in my 2 cents worth on this one. Chevrons can point up or down.

Yes, chevrons can point up or down. British stripes are officially chevrons as well.

Stripe Nomenclature

Stripe Nomenclature

"Railroad Tracks"