Army revamps chaplain corps uniforms

The Army has issued new implementation guidance that will remove rank insignia from Army Combat Uniforms worn by chaplains and place the chaplain insignia on ACU collars, patrol caps and berets, a move officials say is meant to highlight chaplains’ roles as religious leaders and providers of pastoral care. The guidance, released June 25, also covers the chaplain maternity tunic.

The policy follows a Department of War announcement in March and applies to chaplains in the Regular Army, Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve. Chaplain candidates are not affected and will continue to display rank and branch insignia under existing regulations.

The change extends to cold-weather and protective gear: on the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System Generation III and the Improved Outer Tactical Vest, rank insignia will be replaced by the chaplain insignia. The Army set a 90-day window from the directive’s date to complete ACU updates and a 180-day window for ECWCS changes. There are no changes to the Army Service Uniform, Army Green Service Uniform, Blue and White Mess uniforms, or associated service caps, in line with AR 670-1.

Customs and courtesies remain in force under AR 600-25. Policy materials distill officer-to-chaplain interactions as “When in doubt, salute” and enlisted-to-chaplain interactions as “Always Salute.” When officer rank can’t be distinguished—such as chaplains in ACUs—both officers should exchange a salute and greeting, with juniors initiating when they recognize a senior. Enlisted soldiers and NCOs are to treat chaplains as commissioned officers, using the chaplain insignia as the signal to render a salute regardless of grade.

Army officials said the overhaul is designed to reinforce chaplains’ identity within units and encourage service members and families at every rank to seek religious support.