SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON
23 JUN 2026
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2026-16 (Chaplain Rank and Insignia)
1. References.
a. Under Secretary of War (Personnel and Readiness) memorandum (Implementation Guidance for Chaplain Uniform Reform), 4 May 2026
b. Army Regulation (AR) 670–1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia), 26 January 2021
c. Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1 (Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia), 26 January 2021
2. Purpose.
This directive updates policy for the wear of rank and branch insignia for all U.S. Army chaplains. The policy removes chaplain rank insignia on the Army combat uniform (ACU) and moves the branch insignia to a position of prominence. This emphasizes a chaplain’s primary role as a pastoral care provider and enhances approachability, ensuring all Soldiers feel comfortable accessing religious support.
3. Applicability.
The provisions of this directive apply to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
4. Policy.
Chaplains retain their rank and status as commissioned officers, and all customs and courtesies associated with their rank remain in effect.
a. Rank Insignia.
(1) No later than 90 days from the date of this directive, chaplains will discontinue wearing rank insignia on their ACUs.
(2) No later than 180 days from the date of this directive, chaplains will discontinue wearing rank insignia on the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System.
b. Branch Insignia.
(1) The chaplain branch insignia represents a chaplain’s religious affiliation and visually identifies the chaplain’s role as a religious professional and spiritual advisor to the Army. The approved designs consist of the Latin cross, the Jewish tablets (with the Star of David superimposed), the Muslim crescent moon, the Buddhist wheel of righteousness, and the Hindu Om.
(2) ACU (including the maternity tunic). The branch insignia is worn centered on both collars of the ACU coat, with the centerline of the insignia bisecting the points of the collar. Subdued pin-on or sew-on branch insignia may be worn. Sew-on insignia width will not exceed one inch. Chaplains will not wear rank on the ACU. Chaplains must remove the hook-and-loop fastener from the center of the chest and will not wear a blank hook-and-loop fastener.
(3) Patrol Caps. Subdued pin-on or sew-on branch insignia is worn on the front of the headgear centered left to right and top to bottom.
(4) Beret. Non-subdued pin-on branch insignia is worn centered on the flash.
(5) Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS).
(a) Level 1. Lightweight Cold-weather Undershirt and Drawers. No change: no rank or insignia are currently worn on this item.
(b) Level 2. Midweight Cold-weather Shirt and Drawers. No change: no rank or insignia are currently worn on this item.
(c) Level 3. Fleece Cold-weather Jacket. Branch insignia is worn in lieu of rank above the nametape as a hook-and-loop fastener.
(d) Level 4. Wind Cold-weather Jacket. Branch insignia is worn in lieu of rank above the nametape as a hook-and-loop fastener.
(e) Level 5. Softshell Jacket. Branch insignia is worn in lieu of rank on center of chest as a hook-and-loop fastener.
(f) Level 6. Extreme Cold/Wet-weather Jacket. Branch insignia is worn in lieu of rank on center of chest as pin-on or slip on.
(g) Level 7. Extreme Cold-weather Parka. Branch insignia is worn in lieu of rank above the nametape as a hook and loop fastener.
(6) Reference 1b prohibits the combination of sew-on and hook-and-loop insignia and nametapes.
c.
This directive does not alter the wear of rank or branch insignia on the Army Service Uniform, Army Green Service Uniform, Army Blue and White Mess uniforms, or their associated service caps pursuant to AR 670–1.
d.
This policy does not apply to chaplain candidates. Chaplain candidates will continue to wear rank and the chaplain candidate branch insignia on all uniforms in accordance with current regulations.
5. Proponent.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs has oversight responsibility for this policy. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will incorporate the provisions of this policy into AR 670–1 within 2 years of the date of this directive.
6. Duration.
This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulation.
Dan Driscoll
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
- U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command
- U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command
- U.S. Army Materiel Command
- U.S. Army Pacific
- U.S. Army Europe and Africa
- U.S. Army Central
- U.S. Army North
- U.S. Army Special Operations Command
- U.S. Army Transportation Command
- U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
- U.S. Army Cyber Command
- U.S. Army Medical Command
- U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Army Audit Agency
- U.S. Army Military District of Washington
- U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
- U.S. Army Human Resources Command
- U.S. Army Corrections Command
- U.S. Army Reserve Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency
Director, U.S. Army Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
CF:
Commander, Eighth Army
View Official Army Directive 2026-16 (PDF)
Source: U.S. Army Publishing Directorate (APD)