Service Bars, Reefers and Overcoats

Are Service Tenure Insignias (aka “Service Bars”) worn on the Reefer or the Overcoat?

No. Service Tenure Insignias are not worn on the Reefer or the Overcoat.

Uniform And Property U04-01, XI-H-2 (Uniform And Appearance Standards), states that … “Upon completion of the below-listed periods of service, uniformed members are required to wear service bar(s) and/or star(s) on uniform outer garments with the exception of shirts, rainwear, leather jackets, wool overcoats, fleece jackets, quarter-zip pullover, and sweaters authorized as an outer garment.”

The reference to “shirts” imply many unique uniform items that are defined as “shirts” (long sleeve and short sleeve).
The reference to “rainwear” imply the Raincoat and Rainwear (Marine Unit).
The reference to “sweaters” imply the pullover and zip-up type sweaters.
The reference to “wool overcoats” imply the Reefer and the Overcoat.

Uniform And Property U04-01-03 (Uniform Classifications) lists the Reefer under the subheading of “Coat, 100% Wool” as an clothing item for Class A Uniforms. This should not be confused with another wool overcoat called the Overcoat, which is for lieutenants and above.

A Reefer is made out of wool and it is an overcoat, according to Uniform and Property U06-01-04 (Reefer).
The Overcoat is also made out of wool and has sleeve ornamentation among other design differences, Uniform And Property U06-01-05 (Overcoat).