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A Service stripe is a decoration of the United States military which is presented to enlisted members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, and United States Marines upon completion of three years of military service. The concept of a service stripe dates back to the American Civil War where sleeve stripes denoted a successful completion of a standard enlistment.
Sleeve stripes are only worn by enlisted personnel and are displayed at the bottom cuff of the left sleeve. In the Army and Navy, sleeve stripes are only worn on dress and semi-dress uniforms. The Marine Corps displays sleeve stripes on both the dress and working uniform. None of the services display sleeve stripes on field uniforms, such as camouflage utility clothing.
In contrast to the Good Conduct Medal, a service stripe is presented to an enlisted soldier upon completion of three years, regardless of the service members disciplinary history. For example, a soldier with several non-judicial punishments and court martial would still receive a service stripe for three years service whereas, in the same situation, the Good Conduct Medal would be denied.
The Navy and Coast Guard also issues gold service stripes to those service members with over twelve years service free of disciplinary action. In cases where a disciplinary infraction has occurred, the service member is not denied a service stripe but simply is issued the standard red stripe design.
In a short lived experiment of the 1980s, the Marine Corps began issuing service stripes for four years of service instead of three. This policy was discontinued as it created a discrepancy between the various military branches and the method in which service stripes were bestowed.
The United States Air Force is the only branch of service which does not issue service stripes. The Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon is issued in lieu.
See also: Military badges of the United States
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