In the Army, with the old Class-A uniforms, was an E-3 in an E-5 slot, exercising the duties of a team chief, authorized to wear green tabs?

SPC Kevin Kilch — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:44:45 -0400

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Oct 25 at 2017 5:56 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:56:24 -0400

Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure only CPLs and above could wear them.

Response by SPC John Parmenter made Oct 25 at 2017 7:25 PM

SPC John Parmenter — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 19:25:47 -0400

In the early 1960s, as an SP4 (E-4) assigned as an anti-tank squad leader (SGT E-5 slot), I wore green tabs on class A uniforms, & removed them when relieved of that temporary position.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Oct 25 at 2017 8:06 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 20:06:59 -0400

Green tabs initially designated a Soldier filling a leadership position in a combat arms unit. As time went on they were authorized for all leadership positions. In my personal experience as an SP4 filling a recon team leader slot I was authorized the green tabs. They were worn based on a Soldier's assigned slot not their rank.

As an aside, the only Corporals we had in Infantry units during the Vietnam era were Sergeants(E5) that had been busted.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 9:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 21:31:51 -0400

They have been completely removed from at 670-1.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 9:52 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 09:52:29 -0400

The reg and the ALARACT 062/2004 both indicated that a person assigned the position of team leader, was authorized the green tab, and had to remove it when no longer holding the position.

I interpret that as a "yes" if you were placed in that position by your leadership.

But, it's a moot point now with the current dress uniform. Why are you asking?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 10:27 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:27:31 -0400

I never, ever saw it in 24 years in the Army, but hypothetically, yes. A PFC in a Team Leader position would wear green tabs. I doubt very much that the Army would ever run short of SPC/CPLs to do that job, though.
As a personal note, when I was a PFC, I was "in charge" of a machine gun crew. However, I didn't put on green tabs until I got a second crew as a Corporal.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 26 at 2017 11:47 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 11:47:45 -0400

Since we're talking about the old Class A's, if you look back to a relevant edition of 670-1, (2005, section 28-21 on pg 242-243) it states the tabs are to be worn by those in leadership positions, and per subsection d, removed when no longer in a leadership position. it says nothing about a minimum rank, which would square with my own experience when I was an SPC4 and held team leader and squad leader positions, and wore them. I hadn't run into any E3s in an actual team leader roll, but it could happen insofar as I know.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 2:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:32:41 -0400

Never seen a SPC or below wearing a Green Tab, we also wore them on the field jacket and gore-tex jacket. The soldier would have to be properly slotted in that MTOE position, that wouldn't happen as the unit would not receive a Team Chief Pos because the slot is filled. Now at the Company they can have that PFC cover down on the right until they receive a Team Chief for that slot, but that PFC is not slotted in the Team Chief Pos.