Service stripe
military decoration
A service stripe is an embroidered diagonal stripe worn on the sleeve(s) of some military and paramilitary uniforms. In the case of the United States military, service stripes are authorized for wear by enlisted personnel on the lower part of the sleeve of a uniform to denote length of service. Service stripes vary in size and in color.
Denmark
In 2025, the Danish Defence introduced anciennitetsstriber (transl. seniority stripes) for all enlisted personnel. Awarded after every third year of service, a total of 17 stripes (representing 51 years) can be worn on the left sleeve.
France
In 1777, the French ancien régime-era army had used Galons d'ancienneté (transl. Seniority Braid) worn on the upper sleeves awarded for each seven years of enlistment. Soldiers who wore such emblems were called briscards ("breakers"). The practice was continued in Napoleon Bonaparte's army in which they were awarded for 10, 15, and 20 years of service. The French Army later moved them to the lower sleeves and the rank stripes to the upper sleeves. Service chevrons were worn on the lower left sleeve and Wound Stripes were worn on the lower right sleeve (influencing the U.S. Wound Chevron device).
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