<P> In the United States, the concept of a service stripe dates back to 1782 when, during the American Revolution, George Washington ordered that enlisted men who had served for three years "with bravery, fidelity and good conduct" should wear "a narrow piece of white cloth, of angular form" on the left sleeve of the uniform coat . In the U.S. Army, sleeve stripes denoted a successful completion of a standard enlistment . They were the same color as the enlisted rank stripes and were "half - chevrons" (angled strips of cloth). Service during the American Civil War was denoted by a red stripe bordered by the rank stripe color (called a "Blood Stripe"). The artillery corps, who wore red stripes on their uniforms, wore a white stripe bordered red instead . </P> <P> Sleeve stripes are worn only by enlisted personnel . U.S. Army soldiers and U.S. Coast Guardsmen wear their stripes on the bottom cuff of the left sleeve, where Marines wear them at the bottom cuff of both sleeves . U.S. soldiers wear them on the left sleeve and Overseas Service Bars on the right one . Service stripes are only worn on formal uniforms, and are not seen on work uniforms . </P> <P> Navy service stripes come in three colors and they are red, yellow, and black . They are 7 inches long and 3 / 8 inch wide for male chief petty officers; male sailors from rates seaman recruit to petty officer first class wear service stripes 5 - 1 / 4 inches long and 3 / 8 inch wide . Female navy sailors wear service stripes 5 - 1 / 4 inches long and 1 / 4 inch wide . They are worn two inches above the left sleeve cuff on jackets, and 1 - 1 / 2 inch above the cuff on service dress blue jumpers and the new summer white jumpers . On the old - style summer white jumpers they are worn two inches above the cuff . Multiple navy service stripes are worn 1 / 4 inch apart from each other . </P> <P> The U.S. Navy authorizes gold service stripes for those service members with over twelve cumulative years service . The service must be free of disciplinary action in the United States Navy, United States Navy Reserve, United States Marine Corps, or the United States Marine Corps Reserve in a pay status . Both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps authorizes service stripes to those service members for every four years of service . </P>

Where do service stripes go on dress blues