Posted on Apr 8, 2014
CW2 Jonathan Kantor
40K
30
30
10
10
0
When the United States Army began in 1775, NCOs wore their stripes point down.  This continued until about 1903.  Here's the question: WHY??  I have been looking for years and I can't find an explanation.  I found the memorandum instituting the change and the fact that it took about 2 years to implement, but I can't find out why.  Does anyone know and can you cite a source?
Avatar feed
Responses: 18
SGT(P) Motor Transport Operator
6
6
0
CW2 Kantor,

It would appear that you have just won the internet. It seems you have found that one unanswerable question. I also have wondered about it and never found an answer (though with my attention span, I never looked too hard).
(6)
Comment
(0)
CW2 Jonathan Kantor
CW2 Jonathan Kantor
>1 y
That is a very interesting document and I am using it as a resource for a Civil War game I am developing!  I didn't really see a true explanation for the switch though.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSgt Gregory Guina
2
2
0
But why did the navy keep points down?<br><br>
(2)
Comment
(0)
SSG Ed Mikus
SSG Ed Mikus
>1 y
maybe because the Navy's history is independent of the Army yet all stems from the same European roots.&nbsp;
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Kenneth Ponder
0
0
0
Same reason USArmy started wearing Black Berets, ASR,OSR,NPDR, some damned officer,usually a general thought it was a good idea. But nobody wants to admit that they did it.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close