The hatband for female Company Grade Officers is identical to the one worn on the Service Hats of Enlisted female personnel save for the addition of a half-inch gold braid at the bottom edge of the hatband. Interestingly, the gold band is absent on the hatband of Service Hats for Field Grade and General Officers, on which it is replaced (rather than augmented by) golden arcs of oak leaves.
The Service Hat worn by female Army personnel was introduced in 1962, when it replaced a hat that was worn with the brim down on the wearer’s right and up on the wearer’s left, with the insignia placed so it was centered over the wearer’s right eye. Up until 1978, the new hat—which like today’s version had the brim turned up in back and down in front and the insignia centered in the front—was a required clothing item for females.
“Company Grade” Officers comprise the lowest three Army Officer grades of O-1 to O-3 (2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, and Captain).