The uniform of the United Sates Army, as modified herein, has been adopted as the VSM uniform and, as such, is the attire prescribed for all Norwich faculty and staff holding appointments as commissioned or warrant officers in the VSM.
The Duty Uniform. Officers will wear an appropriate Army Green Service (Class A or B) uniform in the performance of their normal duties and during such periods that the Corps of Cadets or its major elements participate in uniform. Such events include home football games, military ceremonies, and other occasions when prescribed by the Office of the President. Members of the faculty and staff need not be in uniform if they are working within the confines of their offices or laboratories on weekends and evenings.
The Army Blue Uniform.
The Dress Blue uniform, though not required, is the preferred uniform for formal occasions. As a substitute, the Class A uniform with white shirt and black tie is acceptable. When the Class A uniform is worn as a dress uniform, the black four-in-hand tie is worn prior to 1800 hours (six o'clock p.m.), and the black bow tie is worn after 1800 hours.
An officer currently in active service in the Armed Forces of the United States (active or reserve component) as well as those who have served that are retired or retired eligible, may wear the appropriate dress uniform of their service (the Army dress blue/mess dress or their service equivalent) when attending formal social affairs of the University or Corps of Cadets. When wearing the aforementioned uniform, the rank attained and insignia of that service, not the rank held in the VSM, should be worn. Otherwise, the VSM uniform [Dress Blue or Service Green (Class A)], with the appropriate rank and insignia, will be worn.
The officer uniform worn on any occasion must be at least as formal as that which is prescribed by the Commandant of Cadets.
Uniforms are to be worn as specified in this section. Any mixture of uniform items and civilian apparel is improper.
As role models in a military college, the Norwich faculty and staff have an obligation to conform to the uniform regulations and wear the uniform properly and with pride. Officers should never appear in ill-fitting, worn, frayed, soiled or unpressed uniforms. Brass and shoes should be shined.
Wearing a military uniform also imposes standards of personal grooming. Hair length should conform to military rather than civilian standards; neatly trimmed moustaches are acceptable, but beards and eccentric hairstyles are not. Members of the VSM are authorized to receive haircuts at the university barbershop free of charge.
Officers in the Vermont State Militia should avoid behavior or uniform wear that detracts from an appropriate military appearance. Examples of inappropriate behavior and/or appearance include:
Unfastened garments: when any coat is worn, it should be fully buttoned or zipped. The shirts of officers are to be tucked in at all times.
Walking or standing with hands in pockets or slouching; eating or smoking while walking.
Wearing headgear inside or wearing it improperly: The cap will be worn straight on the head so that the cap band creates a straight line around the head parallel to the ground. Hair should not fall below the brim of the hat.
Wearing improper uniform combinations; wearing obsolete items of uniforms; and wearing unauthorized items such as jewelry, earmuffs, civilian jackets or improper footgear with the uniform.
Note: A black umbrella may be carried when wearing the service green and dress blue uniforms. The umbrella may not be carried when wearing field or utility uniforms.
All service uniform combinations are authorized for year-round wear. However, appropriate discretion should be used based on weather conditions and duties.
The Army Green Service Uniform (Class A):
The male Class A uniform consists of the Army green service officer's coat (with either US Army or Norwich buttons) and trousers, the black four-in-hand tie, the Army green shirt and the service cap (visored) or garrison cap (overseas). Insignia are worn on the coat and cap (see Appendix 1).
The female Class A uniform consists of the Army green service officer's coat (with either US Army or Norwich buttons) and green slacks or skirt, the Army green shirt with neck tab, and the women's green service hat (visored) or garrison cap (overseas). Insignia are worn on the coat and cap (see Appendix 1). Note: The skirt is an optional item of clothing that may be purchased at the individual's own expense.
The only outer garment authorized for wear with the Class A uniform is the Army black all-weather coat (raincoat).
The Army Green Uniform, Class B variations:
The male Class B uniform consists of the Army green shirt (long or short sleeve), green trousers, and the garrison or service cap. NOTE: The black four-in-hand tie must be worn with the long sleeve shirt and is optional with the short sleeve shirt.
The female Class B uniform consists of the Army green shirt (long or short sleeve), green slacks or skirt (the skirt is an optional item of clothing that may be purchased at the individual's own expense), and the garrison cap or service hat. NOTE: The neck tab must be worn with the long sleeve shirt and is optional with the short sleeve shirt.
The following are acceptable outer garments when worn with the Class B uniform: the Army black all-weather coat, the Army black windbreaker and the black winter field jacket, all with appropriate insignia of rank on each shoulder. The black pullover v-neck sweater may also be worn as an outer garment, but it is worn with black cloth shoulder marks indicating rank. The black cardigan is not worn as an outer garment.
Lab coats: A white lab coat may be worn over the Class B uniform when engaged in activities where protection of the uniform is required. The lab coat will not be worn out-of-doors.
Army Green Shirt: The Army green shirt (male or female version) will be worn as follows:
Long and short sleeved shirts may be worn with or without a coat
The long sleeved shirt is always worn with a tie/tab; with the short sleeved shirt, the wearing of a tie/tab is optional
The sleeves on the long sleeved shirt may not be rolled up
Insignia to be worn with either shirt are cloth shoulder marks designating rank, the VT insigne centered on the left pocket flap (approximate placement for women), and the nameplate centered on the right pocket between top of button and top of pocket (approximate placement for females)
Badges or ribbons may be worn with the long or short sleeved shirt
Nameplate (see Section 2, paragraph 3.i.(10)(a) and (b) and Appendix 1)
The Army Dress Blue Uniform:
The male Dress Blue uniform consists of the Blue officer's coat (with either US Army or Norwich buttons) and trousers, a commercial long sleeved white shirt with barrel or French cuffs and standard turndown collar, black four-in-hand or bow tie, and blue cap (visored). Insignia are worn on the coat and cap (See Appendix 1 & Appendix 3). The dress blue uniform when worn with:
a black bow tie constitutes a formal uniform and corresponds to a civilian tuxedo; the bow tie is worn after 1800 hours or at other times that are designated as formal occasions.
a four-in-hand tie is considered an informal uniform and is worn to social functions prior to 1800 hours or whenever a coat and tie are prescribed.
The female Dress Blue uniform consists of the Blue officer's coat (with either US Army or Norwich buttons) and skirt, the short sleeved white shirt, the black neck tab and the blue cap (visored). Insignia are worn on the coat and cap (See Appendix 1 & Appendix 3).
After duty hours the Army blue cape is authorized for wear by all officers as an option instead of the Army black all-weather coat.
NOTE: Metal insignia of rank are worn on the shoulder of all authorized coats and jackets. The black plastic nameplates are not worn on outer garments. The black Norwich scarf is the only scarf authorized for wear. Embroidered black cloth nametapes are required on the black field jacket. The black scarf and plain black gloves may be worn with the black all weather coat, the black field jacket, or the black windbreaker.
NOTE: The Army black windbreaker is worn only with the Class B uniform. VSM officers who own earlier versions of the cadet jacket should return them to the Cadet Uniform Store to be exchanged for the most recent jacket. Neither the black plastic nameplate nor black cloth nametape is worn on the Army black windbreaker.
Battle Dress Uniform (BDU): The Army BDU consists of temperate weather coat, trousers and cap made of a 50/50 nylon and cotton twill in a four color woodland pattern. This uniform is authorized for wear by members of the Commandant's staff and other faculty/staff as approved by the Commandant.
Headgear: Appropriate headgear will be worn when outdoors in uniform. The following are authorized items of headgear:
Service Cap/Hat (visored): Male cap and female hat for Service Green or Dress Blue. Field grade officer cap/hat (major and above) has gold braid. The green service cap/hat may be worn with the Class A or B uniform. The Dress Blue service cap/hat is only worn with the Dress or Mess Blue uniform. A distinctive Norwich hat badge is worn on the service cap/hat (green or blue). NOTE: Effective June 2002 only the green garrison (overseas) cap will be issued. The green service cap (visored) will no longer be issued.
Garrison Cap (male and female overseas cap): An insigne of rank is worn on the left side of this cap, one inch from the vertical front edge and centered. Airborne cap patches are not authorized. This cap is worn with the Class A or B uniform (See Appendix 1 & Appendix 3).
Winter headgear: When the weather is severe, the Norwich black knit ski cap may be worn with the black field jacket or the raincoat. No insignia is worn on the ski cap.
Rain cap cover: When the weather necessitates, the Norwich rain cap cover may be worn on the service cap.
Cap, cold weather, AG 344/489. The cold weather cap may be purchased at individual's own expense and may be worn with the black all weather coat, the black field jacket, or the black windbreaker. It is not authorized when the black pullover sweater is worn as an outer garment. The distinctive Norwich hat badge will be worn on this cap.
Footwear:
Shoes
Male officers will wear plain-toe, military-style black low quarter shoes and black socks with all uniforms.
Female officers will wear the black oxford or the black pumps. Hose or black socks will be worn with the pants. Only hose will be worn with the skirt.
Boots: Officers will wear the standard army black combat boots or such military variations as the jump boots or tanker boots with the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). Boots are not a standard issue item and may be purchased at the individual's expense.
Overshoes: Plain black overshoes may be worn outdoors when necessary.
Sweaters:
Black Pullover: The US Army black pullover may be worn over the Army green shirt both indoors and outdoors. The short sleeve shirt collar when worn without a tie or neck tab will be worn outside the sweater. Black cloth insignia of rank (shoulder marks) are worn on the shoulder straps, and a Norwich Regimental Crest, VT insigne, and nameplate on the front cloth patch. (See Appendix 2 & Appendix 3).
Black Cardigan: The US Army black cardigan may be worn over the Army green shirt in the confines of offices, laboratories, and other indoor work areas. The short sleeve shirt collar, when worn without a tie or neck tab, will be worn outside the sweater. Neither the nameplate, VT insigne, nor any other accouterments are authorized for wear on this sweater. The cardigan will not be worn out-of-doors as an outer garment.
Insignia, patches, nameplates, decorations, and awards:
Note: Precise locations for insignia are shown in Appendix 1, Appendix 2 & Appendix 3.
Insignia of rank: Insignia of rank are worn on both shoulders of all authorized coats and jackets and on the left side of the garrison cap. The following is a list of insignia of rank:
Vermont Militia Emblems: The VT insignia are worn on both upper lapels of the company and field grade, male (figure 1.1) and female (figure 1.3) officer Service Green (Class A) coats, and worn on both upper lapels of male (figure 1.5) and on the upper right lapel of female (figure 1.6) company and field grade Dress Blue coats.
The State Seals: The state seal disk is worn on both lower lapels of the company and field grade, male (figure 1.1) and female (figure 1.3) officer Service Green (Class A) coats; and worn on both lower lapels of the male (figure 1.5) and on the upper left lapel of the female (figure 1.6) company and field grade Dress Blue coats.
Note: General officers will wear the VT insignia on both upper lapels of the male and female officer Service Green (Class A) and Dress Blue coats. State disks are not worn.
US Army Branch Insignia: An individual with prior army service as an officer may, in lieu of the state disk, wear the insignia of the army branch in which they were qualified. These insignia must be purchased at the individual's expense.
Norwich Regimentals: The Norwich regimental crest is worn on both shoulder loops of the Service Green (Class A) coat (see Appendix 3), and on the cloth patch over the name tag to the left (inside) of the center line on the black V-neck pullover sweater (see Appendix 2, fig. 2.3).
Norwich Patch: The Norwich University patch is worn on the left shoulder sleeve of the Service Green (Class A) coat. The subdued Norwich University patches are worn on the left shoulder (grey subdued) of the Army black field jacket and (olive subdued) of the BDU shirt.
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service: Former members of the U.S. Armed Forces may wear the patch of any unit in which they served in actual combat on the right shoulder of the Service Green (Class A) coat. (Note: Patches are not worn on the Dress Blue uniforms, sweaters, the all-weather coat, or the windbreaker.)
Dress Uniform Shoulder Straps: The University has adopted cavalry colors (gold). An individual with prior active service as an army officer may wear shoulder straps of the army branch in which they were qualified.
Decorations and Awards: Decorations and awards may be worn with the Norwich uniform by those entitled by published orders of the Armed Services of the United States to wear them. Faculty and staff who are members of honor societies represented on the Norwich campus may wear insignia of these societies on their uniform, centered ½ inch above the right pocket on the male shirt, or centered ¾ inch above the nameplate on the female shirt.
Nameplates: A nameplate (white letters on a black background) is worn on the Class B shirt, the Army black pullover sweater, Service Green (Class A) and Dress Blue coats (NOTE: Nameplates are not required when wearing a bow tie after 1800 hours). Males wear the nameplate centered between the button on the right pocket and the top of the pocket; females wear the nameplate centered between the buttons and arm seam one inch above the top button. No nameplate is worn on the black windbreaker or the all-weather coat.
Male personnel: The nameplate will be worn on the flap of the wearer's right breast pocket centered between the top of the button and the top of the pocket on the Army green shirts, service green coat and dress blue coat. The nameplate will be worn centered on the black patch of the pullover sweater ½ inch above the bottom of the patch with VT insigne placed to the right (outside) of the center line next to the Regimental Crest, both insignia being centered left to right, top to bottom above the nameplate (see Appendix 1, Appendix 2 & Appendix 3).
Female personnel: On the service green coat, the nameplate will be worn 1-2 inches above the top button, centered horizontally on the right side. The nameplate will be worn centered horizontally on the wearer's right side and slightly above the top edge of the top button on the dress blue coat. On the Army green shirt, the nameplate is worn in a comparable position. The nameplate will be worn centered on the black patch of the pullover sweater ½ inch above the bottom of the patch with VT insigne and Regimental Crest centered left to right, top to bottom above the nameplate, the Regimental Crest being to the left (inside) of the center line and the VT insigne to the right (outside) of the center line (see Appendix 1, Appendix 2 & Appendix 3).