If my ID reflects the rank of MSG, am I allowed to wear 1SG on my uniform after retirement?

1SG Glen Pickard — Sun, 12 May 2019 17:42:10 -0400

Served as 1SG 8 yrs. ID reflects rank as MSG am I allowed to wear 1SG on retired uniform?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 6:14 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2019 18:14:23 -0400

1SG Glen Pickard if you earned the rank (which would mean you know how to act in uniform) I say go for it. Nobody will question it and there is no law broken. Cheers

Response by LTC Kevin B. made May 12 at 2019 7:29 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 12 May 2019 19:29:01 -0400

Pulled directly from AR 670-1:

"Personnel will wear the grade as shown on the retired grade of rank line on their retirement order."

If your retirement orders say MSG or E-8/MSG, then I'd wear MSG. If they say 1SG or E-8/1SG, I'd wear 1SG. If they just say E-8, then the regulation is ambiguous. In that case, it sounds like you can use your discretion.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 12 at 2019 9:07 PM

SSG Dale London — Sun, 12 May 2019 21:07:37 -0400

Hmmm... unless I mis-remember, MSG is a rank while 1SG is a command position that can be held by anyone from E-6 to E-9 under the one up and two down rule. That being said, who's gonna tell you "no?" Any smart-ar$3 stupid enough to get in the face of a First Shirt better hope Top's having a good day. It's kind of like whether an E-9 wears SGM or CSM stripes, no?

Response by SFC John Armstrong made May 13 at 2019 2:27 PM

SFC John Armstrong — Mon, 13 May 2019 14:27:57 -0400

MSG is your rank... TH 1SG is the position that you held while you were leading troops.. When you retire you are a MSG...

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made May 14 at 2019 2:15 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Tue, 14 May 2019 02:15:22 -0400

were you a 1SG? How would you feel if someone who knew the truth bumped into you in uniform?

Response by MSG Norm Nunnally made May 27 at 2019 10:17 PM

MSG Norm Nunnally — Mon, 27 May 2019 22:17:52 -0400

Your permanent rank is MSG, while in the Army the 1SG position is only temporary. Therefore you retired as a MSG and wear that, however since you served in a either TO&E or TDA unit as a 1SG then you are also authorized to wear the 1SG rank with the appropriate MOS designator that matches the unit of service - if you were qualified in that MOS. Frankly I find those who are so willing to wear their rank on their foreheads quite possibly had performed less than satisfactorily in the Rank they wish to assume.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 28 at 2019 1:14 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 28 May 2019 01:14:51 -0400

St Louis or ? someone wanted to change my retired title to SGM. After several exchanges of correspondence, my 1099-R, (and LES retired), reflects CSM! 1SG Glen Pickard Same old story; squeak, loudly!

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made May 28 at 2019 10:27 PM

SGT Juan Robledo — Tue, 28 May 2019 22:27:16 -0400

I don't know for sure, but it's a good question

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Jul 23 at 2019 8:53 AM

1SG John Highfill — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 08:53:07 -0400

Becoming a 1SG requires a personell action and a change in MOS plus 1SG school Wear it proudly you earned it

Response by 1SG Clyde Kessler made Jan 16 at 2020 8:58 PM

1SG Clyde Kessler — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 20:58:25 -0500

1SG rank is a lateral appointment. You may wear the stripes as long as you are in the position. Once you go to another assignment, you remove the 1SG stripes and go back to MSGT.
I was a 1SG for my last 6 years in the Army (25 years) and was 1SG of 4 differnet companies, but fortunately I was in the Army Security Agency and all the companies were within ASA, so I did not have to change my stripes for the last 6 years I was in service. Incidently, my Certificate of Retirement read "1SG" along with my ID card.

Response by 1SG Randy Bond made Oct 16 at 2024 4:34 PM

1SG Randy Bond — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 16:34:58 -0400

When I was retiring I asked what the requirement to have E-8/1SG on my ID card etc. and there were two requirements, having graduated from the US Army 1SG course and having served in a 1SG position. My ID card and all DOD correspondence says 1SG.