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.”

There are two types of wool overcoats, according to Uniform And Property U04-01-03 (Uniform Classifications) which 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” (capital “O”), which is for lieutenants and above.


A Reefer is made out of wool and is an overcoat, according to Uniform and Property U06-01-04 (Reefer).
“Four button double-breasted reefer overcoat . . .”


A side note, a Reefer is NOT a Blouse.
A Blouse is a single-breasted coat you would typically wear for graduation and award ceremonies.
A Reefer is a double-breasted overcoat that will be heavier than a Blouse.