UNITED STATES ARMY RETIRED SERVICE ID BADGE (2024)

In 2012, United States Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno launched an initiative called Soldier for Life, a program designed around the recognition of four major points in the “Soldier lifecyle” that the program identifies with descriptive phrases. “Start strong” is enlistment; “Serve strong” begins with the first active-duty assignment; “Reintegrate strong” is preparation for retiring from active duty; and “Remain strong” refers to Soldiers maintaining ties with various organizations not only to facilitate success in their civilian endeavors, but also to help them encourage volunteers to become part of the next generation of Soldiers and Officers.

In 2014, the Army’s Human Resources Command announced that its Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) was now the Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP). With the change, Soldiers who had served more than 180 continuous days were required to attend an SFL-TAP as much as two years ahead of their retirement or 12–18 months before their separation; attendance at similar workshops under ACAP was voluntary.

Also changed was the Retired Service ID Badge (RSIB) that retired Army personnel are allowed to wear on the left side of the Army Service/Dress uniform. Instead of the Great Seal of the United States and the straightforward inscription “United States Army Retired,” the new version features the U.S. Army black, white and gold logo with five-pointed star and the words “Retired” at the top and “Soldier for Life” at the bottom. The good news is that either version is authorized for wear—but only on the Army Service/Dress uniform, and only if the wearer is officially retired from the Army.

Related Items
Retired Soldier for Life Patch (SSI)

Retired Soldier for Life Lapel Pin
Retired Soldier for Life ID Badge (RSIB)
Soldier for Life Veteran Lapel Pin
Retired Patch (SSI)
Retired Lapel Button with Army Emblem
Retired Lapel Button with Army Star

UNITED STATES ARMY RETIRED SERVICE ID BADGE (2024)

FAQs

Will retired Soldiers wear the retired service ID badge? ›

The badge is worn on the wearers leftside. Personnel may wear the badge only in service and dress uniforms after officially retired from the U.S. Army.

How to wear an Army identification badge? ›

Soldiers will wear the IGIB on the right side for all uniforms; the subdued badge is worn on utility uniforms, with the badge centered on the right breast pocket between the bottom of the pocket flap and the bottom of the pocket (See photo in the right column).

What do you call a retired military person? ›

A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in the armed forces. A topic of interest for researchers has been the health of military personnel after leaving the military, particularly those who served in combat areas.

When can a retired soldier wear his uniform? ›

Army Regulation 670-1 explains that Retired Soldiers not on active duty are not authorized to wear their uniforms except under limited circ*mstances, such as while performing Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor duties, while attending military funerals, memorial services, weddings, inaugurals, and other occasions ...

Do military retirees need new ID cards? ›

Legacy USID cards remain valid through their expiration date, however, individuals with an indefinite (INDEF) expiration date on their legacy USID card may replace those ID cards with a Next Generation USID card. USID cards may now be renewed online. Please see our online USID card renewal page for more information.

Can retired military wear uniform to funeral? ›

When it comes to wearing a military uniform to a funeral, both active duty and retired service members are allowed to do so. However, it is crucial to ensure that the uniform is clean, pressed, and worn correctly, out of respect for the ceremony and the deceased.

Where should I wear my ID badge? ›

Wear your ID badge in a visible and secure location, such as on a lanyard around your neck or on a clip attached to your clothing. 2. Avoid leaving your ID badge unattended, and keep it on your person at all times. If you need to remove it, store it in a secure place.

What are the rules for Army badges? ›

Personnel may wear up to three badges above the ribbons or pocket flap, or in a similar location for uniforms without pockets. Personnel may only wear one combat or special skill badges from either group 1 or group 2 above the ribbons. Soldiers may wear up to three badges from groups 3 and 4 above the ribbons.

Which side do Army badges go on? ›

The regimental insignia should be worn on the right side of the Army dress blues jacket. It should be worn 1/8″ above the right pocket or 1/4″ above the unit awards.

How do I use my retired military title? ›

Retired officers: A military rank may be used in first reference before the name of an officer who has retired if it is relevant to the content. However, do not use the abbreviation Ret. Instead, use retired just as former would be used before the title of a civilian.

Do retired military keep their rank? ›

Retired soldiers do keep their rank and are often addressed by it in post-service life. This enduring status honors their years of commitment and service to their country. It's not merely an honorary mention; retired service members hold their ranks both in title and in many practical aspects of life post-military.

Is a retired soldier still a soldier? ›

You'll still be a Soldier and your country will still need you. No longer will you train and deploy to fight and win our nation's wars, but you will still have a mission. Retiring is just a change of mission. For Retired Soldiers.

Can retired veterans salute in civilian clothes? ›

Saluting the American Flag when in civilian attire

MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. MEN remove hats and hold at left shoulder with hand over heart; without hat, place right hand, palm open, over heart.

Do you salute a retired officer? ›

WHOM TO SALUTE.

—Enlisted personnel salute all officers, and officers salute their seniors. Salutes are returned by persons saluted except when they are uncovered—the person saluted should acknowledge the salute with an appropriate greeting or a nod of the head.

Can you keep your uniform after discharge? ›

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), when an enlisted member of an armed force is discharged, the exterior articles of uniform in his possession that were issued to him, other than those that he may wear from the place of discharge to his home under section 772(d) of this title , shall be retained for ...

Is a retired service member a veteran? ›

You do not have to be officially retired to be considered a Veteran. Retired Veterans are those that served a total of 20 years in the military, whereas a Veteran is any person that has served in the U.S. military and has become discharged or released in a manner that is not designated as dishonorable.

Do you get a flag when you retire from the military? ›

-Upon the release of a member of the Navy or Marine Corps from active duty for retirement or transfer to the Fleet Reserve or the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, the Secretary of the Navy shall present a United States flag to the member. (b) Multiple Presentations Not Authorized .

How long is a retired military spouse ID card good for? ›

The renewal date for military ID depends on a variety of factors; in general, it is every four years and the expiration date is on the front of the card.

Who can wear the Army staff identification badge? ›

The individual must have served in a position which requires as a primary duty the cre- ation, development, or coordination of policies, principles, or concepts per- taining to a primary function of the or- ganization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and must be approved for authorization to wear the badge by the Chairman, ...

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6205

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.