Clothing Changes and Authorizations

By Dan Fullerton

 

August 22, 1933     Overseas caps resurrected for tank and mechanized cavalry units only.  All others wear campaign hat.

 

1937                Full-length trousers introduced for field and dress purposes—Common to see National Guard units still in breeches and puttees through 1939 and into 1940.

 

1939                 EM 1939 Service Coat introduced with bi-swing back(bellows for movement)— standard wear until replaced with M1942 Service Coat(no bellows or belt hooks).

 

Mid-1940??           Overseas caps resurrected for common usage—Officers to wear hats piped in branch colors; EMs to be unpiped.

 

                     Enlistment stripes for those associated with National Guard units prior to federalization are to be edged in buff, not khaki or olive drab.

 

April 19, 1940       All field and company officers ordered to wear gold and black piping; EMs to wear branch colors on overseas caps.

 

April 5, 1941        HBT coveralls authorized for field use.  Prior to this, fatigue uniforms were two-piece blue denim suits.

 

Nov 10, 1941         EM leather belt deleted.

 

                    Class A white shirt and black tie deleted.  Wool service shirt and khaki tie to be used instead.

 

                    Collar insignia discs for EMs discontinued.  Prior to this, national cypher to be on right collar, branch device to be on left—when service coat was not worn.

 

                     Parsons/M1941 Field Jackets authorized for use.

 

                     M1 Helmets authorized for use.

 

August 14, 1942      Wool knit cap authorized for use with M1 helmet.

 

August 25, 1942      Officers ordered to replace regimental distinctive insignia on overseas cap with rank insignia.

 

Sept 4, 1942         Technical ratings of 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th classes were created for rank and pay purposes.

 

Sept 22, 1942        First sergeant made equal to master sergeant grade and a third rocker added to rank patch.

 

Nov 26, 1942         Officer’s Sam Browne belt made optional for use.

 

                     1942/2^nd Pattern Mackinaw authorized for use.

 

June 7, 1943         Officer’s Sam Brown belt forbidden from use.