This gray box-style shoulder cord has a button loop that makes for easy attachment. Shoulder cords are especially popular among military-oriented youth organizations such as the ROTC/Junior ROTC, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet/Navy League Cadet Corps, and the Civil Air Patrol, with local commands deciding what colors to authorize and for what reason. Sometimes the color or colors will align with official military colors, such as the colors of the various branches of the U.S. Army, but this is far from the norm.
Shoulder cords should not be confused with metal-tipped aiguillettes (typically worn by aides and aides-de-camp in the Armed Forces) and fourragères (unit awards from foreign nations), shoulder cords come in a variety of colors and designs. Though typically worn during drills, inspections, exhibitions, parades, and other formal events, they may be authorized for wear as a recognition of merit or special achievement.