As a subject matter expert in military uniforms and insignia, I have a deep understanding of the various elements that make up a service member's attire. The question of whether army officers wear service stripes on their uniform is an interesting one, as it touches on the traditions and regulations that govern military dress.

In the United States Army, service stripes, also known as hash marks, are a form of insignia that denote the length of service of an enlisted soldier. Each stripe represents three years of active federal service. However, these are not worn by officers. Instead, officers have their own set of insignia to represent their rank and years of service.

For officers, the focus is on rank insignia, which is typically displayed on the epaulets or shoulder loops of the uniform. The rank of an officer is indicated by bars, stars, or other symbols depending on the branch of service and the specific rank. Additionally, officers may wear devices such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, or other commendations and awards that denote their achievements and contributions to the military.

Regarding the mention of "overseas service stripes," it is important to clarify that these are not the same as service stripes worn by enlisted personnel. Overseas service bars, or overseas service bars, are a different form of insignia that represent the number of overseas deployments or tours of duty an officer has completed. These are worn on the uniform to acknowledge the officer's service in different parts of the world.

In the context of the Army Service Uniform (ASU), officers may wear branch-specific piping near the sleeve cuff, but the primary insignia on the sleeves are the overseas service bars. These bars are a visual representation of the officer's experience and commitment to service beyond the borders of the United States.

It is also worth noting that the regulations and traditions regarding uniform insignia can vary between different branches of the military and even between different countries. Each branch has its own unique set of rules and customs that govern the wear and display of uniform items.

In summary, while enlisted soldiers in the U.S. Army wear service stripes to represent their years of service, officers do not. Officers display their rank and other achievements through rank insignia and various commendations and awards. Overseas service bars are worn by officers to denote their deployments and are a distinct form of insignia separate from the service stripes of enlisted personnel.

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You are not authorized to wear service stripes as an officer, however you are authorized to wear your overseas service stripes. ... We do not, however, wear Service Stripes. Aside from the Branch specific piping just up from the sleeve cuff, they only thing we wear on the sleeves of the ASU is Overseas Service Bars.Jan 16, 2016read more >>