The United States Army authorized subdued rank insignia in June 1966, but various logistical and supply issues meant that subdued patches were not readily available until the end of the following year. This was soon followed by the authorization of subdued, pin-on metal insignia, in part because it was much easier ensuring every solider had a pin-on metal insignia rather than guaranteeing all would have uniforms with the appropriate subdued ranks sewn onto them.
Subdued cloth grade insignia became standardized following the Vietnam War, and for three decades they underwent little change. With the debut of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in 2004, however, the Army also introduced subdued rank insignia with hook-and-loop-fastener systems (famously known by the trade name Velcro) so insignia could be applied and removed instantaneously. This new type of cloth rank insignia was soon dubbed both “Velcro insignia” and “ACU rank.”
Choose the type of ACU insignia you need from the drop-down box to the right:
Pattern: Select UCP if your ACU or utility uniform was manufactured using the Universal Camouflage Pattern (2004 - 2015). Army Combat Uniforms utilizing UCP were introduced in 2015, and shortly thereafter the Army announced a wear-out date of 30 September 2019 for the old ACUs made with UCP.
Rank with Velcro: Rank insignia with Velcro backing for wear on Utility uniforms and cold-weather coats.
Cap Rank: Insignia that must be sewn onto Patrol Caps and Sun Hats because it does not have a hook-and-loop-fastener system.
GorTex: Designed for wear with the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System parka, which the Army refers to as the “Gore-Tex® parka.” Slides over the tab on the front of the parka.