Army weighs baseball caps, rank insignia on the collar, and other uniform changes

The Army is weighing several changes to its uniform regulations, ranging from moving ranks to the collar for soldiers wearing everyday camouflage uniforms to possibly wearing baseball caps.

Following a post on the popular Army subreddit that detailed possible changes to Army Regulation 670-1, the service confirmed that it “consistently reviews policy for improvement of standards with uniforms, grooming, and appearance.”

Maj. Travis Shaw, an Army spokesman, added that “while maintaining uniformity, discipline, and readiness, current items referred to as possible changes are all pre-decisional and require a thorough review prior to final decisions.” 

Some of the policy changes under review are currently in place, Shaw said, such as soldiers being responsible for maintaining a high shine on their dress shoes.

Proposed changes to Army uniforms and how they are worn are reviewed through the Army’s uniform policy process, which includes the Army Uniform Board.

Among the changes being considered, it appears that chest-worn rank could transition back to the collar along with branch insignia.

The proposed change has parallels to a recent Army policy for chaplains, who were ordered this summer to remove rank from their combat uniforms and instead display religious branch insignia on their collars. The change drew criticism from some retired chaplains, who questioned whether removing visible rank could undermine their authority with commanders.

Other potential changes could authorize baseball caps, boonie hats, and limited wear of the black beret, a subtle nod to headgear already seen elsewhere across the military. The Navy allows sailors to wear command ball caps with working uniforms, while Air Force personnel can wear baseball-style tactical caps with their combat uniforms.

Other possible changes would eliminate colored unit patches for shoulder sleeve insignia on the Army Combat Uniform and Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform, including during ceremonies.

The proposal would also reverse a uniform change made just last year. In 2025, the Army authorized commanders to allow soldiers to wear full-color unit patches on their combat uniforms, along with full-color special skill tabs. The potential changes would eliminate colored unit patches on combat uniforms altogether, including during ceremonies.

All accoutrements would be worn on the Army Green Service Uniform jacket, while the Ike jacket would remain limited to two rows of ribbons. Officers would also retain the Army Service Uniform as an authorized uniform, repealing its previous wear-out date, while the uniform would remain optional for enlisted soldiers.

The Army has been transitioning to the Army Green Service Uniform since announcing it in 2018. Under its current timeline, all soldiers are required to wear the green uniform beginning Oct. 1, 2027, when the blue Army Service Uniform is scheduled to become an optional formal and ceremonial uniform.

UPDATE: 9.11.2026; This article was updated after publication to note that some of the uniform changes under review are currently in place.

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