Colonel shoulder marks are designed to be slid onto shoulder loops manufactured on several types of Army uniform garments. These include sweaters (button-down Cardigans and wool pullovers) and shirts (long- and short-sleeve Service uniform shirts, Maternity shirts).
In keeping with Army regulations, we offer shoulder marks in a Large (4.25” long) and a Small (3.25”) size. Shoulder marks fit properly when the hook-and-loop (Velcro) pads or buttons on the shoulder loops are entirely visible; use the measurements to determine which size works best for the uniform component on which you’ll be wearing the shoulder mark.
For customers ordering Large shoulder marks, we offer an option to upgrade the eagle insignia to embroidered metal bullion. This provides a more clean, crisp presentation and reflects the wearer’s dedication to duty and service. Select “Bullion” in the drop-down selection box for this enhanced set of Colonel shoulder marks.
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An eagle has been used to indicate the rank of Colonel (O-6) in the United States Army since at least 1832, when epaulettes were introduced as indicators of officer rank. In that year, gold or silver eagles were authorized to be embroidered on the epaulette, with the eagle’s color the opposite of the epaulette’s color to make it easier to recognize the rank; Infantry officers wore silver epaulettes and officers in all other branches wore gold. Thus, an Infantry Colonel would wear a silver epaulette with a gold eagle. This “alternating” color scheme ended in 1851 when all regulations mandated only gold epaulettes, and thus all Colonel insignias became silver eagles.
The Colonel’s eagle is one of the most distinctive rank insignia in the Army, and this coupled with the fact that Lieutenant Colonels are also addressed as “Colonel” has led to colorful nicknames to distinguish their superior rank, including “bird colonel,” “full colonel,” and “full bird.”
More Army Colonel Insignias