One of our favorite additions and designs to the military uniform, is that colorful braided cord or rope that ties into the shoulder tab of the uniform. But what about this braided cord is so necessary for the uniform?

Opposed to the decorative and meaningful design of today, the original purpose of these “ropes” was to carry a whistle, bullhorn or mobile phone for contact in the middle ages. Today, each of these braided cords or “ropes” have a designated meaning based on the color or design of the chord.

But for what purpose were carrying these items so necessary? And what possible meanings could these braided cords hold today?

The original design of the braided cord

It was considered to be vital to have these braided cords in order to carry items such as the cellphone, the bullhorn, or the whistle, in order to…

1. Keep the soldiers in line: Unlike how it is in our military world today, contact was more difficult to keep back towards the middle ages and up to when we had the technology to do so with ease. Keeping soldiers in line back then would have been more difficult when there were less ways in which to keep in contact with them and with their leaders.
2. Gathering for meal times: This would have also been incredibly challenging without a way to contact each other. Everything needed to be precise and everyone needed to be on time. With the proper set up as previously described, they could more quickly and efficiently gather the soldiers at specific times in specific places.
3. Gathering the attention of the soldiers: shouting would have been difficult. Without something to expand the sound of their voice to get the attention of all of the soldiers making too much noise at the time. The only answer was to reach out to them with something that would make enough noise to gather that attention to where it was needed.

(Source: on a military uniform what is that braded rope around the arm and what does it mean? | Yahoo Answers)

How to wear the shoulder braided cord

The way that each cord is worn is dependent on the design or type of braided cord being used with your military uniform. For example;

The army shoulder cord: This braided cord is meant to be worn over the shoulder over what is known as a “Class A” blue or green jacket, with what is considered to be a “Class B” shirt underneath.

Blue Infantry Cord: This specific braided cord is a more versatile cord that is allowed to be worn over any Army uniform.

Fun fact: The blue infantry cord was designated by George Washington himself at the end of the revolutionary war. It is also the oldest cord to be worn by the U.S. Military by the army infantry soldiers.

For your information: The correct manner in which a shoulder braided cord should be worn is passing it under the arm and over the right shoulder, passing it under the shoulder loop of the right shoulder. You should be able to carefully secure it to the button on the shoulder loop of the shoulder of your uniform.

Tip: When attaching the cord, you should have an officer personnel attach a 20-ligne button to the right of the shoulder seam, a half of an inch away from the edge of the collar. Otherwise, it will be difficult, maybe even impossible, to correctly wear the shoulder braided cord.

Air Force Infantry cord: The Infantry cord is to be worn over the shoulder for the air force. You can do this by pinning the the braided cord onto the shoulder of the air force dress uniform. Hide the pin away under the cord by looping it around the left shoulder and together.

(Source: How to Wear the Military Rope on the Uniform (synonym.com))

(Source: Army Shoulder Cords | USAMM)

Modern meanings/purposes of the “rope” today

• Infantry blue shoulder cord: The blue infantry cord is worn by the Army infantryman and the Army National Guard soldiers. This cord is typically formed by a series of square knots around a center cord.

For your information: Qualified infantrymen usually receive this cord after graduating from the U.S. Army Infantry Center

• Golden Aiguillette cords: These Golden cords are typically worn by the servicemen who serves as aides-de-camp or military aids to the white house. It is a slightly more gold colored knotted cord worn with the Army Service Uniform. The chord is typically a silk chord tipped with either a metal tip or lace tag.

For Your information: The Golden Aiguillette can also be worn by aides assigned to the White House, first family, cabinet and foreign dignitaries.

• Other varying cords or Aiguillettes: For most other branches, the colors range and vary according to rank, training level, or expertise. They wear both the cords and Aiguillettes to represent these three things.

For Your information: The branches which wear these more variant cord and Aiguillette colors are the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy.

(Source: What Do the Colors of Different U.S. Army Shoulder Cords Signify? (reference.com))

(Source: Aiguillette – Wikipedia)

The French Fourragere Cord and it’s background

The French Fourragere cord: In order to properly wear the French Fourragere cord, you have to loop the Fourragere under the sleeve of the left shoulder, attaching it to the shoulder loops of the left shoulder.

The typical uniform worn with the French Fourragere cord should be a green uniform, a white uniform, or the enlisted blue uniform.

Fun Fact: Unlike other cords, a Fourragere shoulder cord has a metal tip or lace tag and is usually made of a green cord. The French Fourragere cord is usually awarded to the members of the Fifth and Sixth Marine regiments concerning heroic actions throughout the duration of the Battle of Bellaeu Wood from the French government in WWI.

(Source: This is why some Marines wear the ‘French Fourragere,’ and some don’t – We Are The Mighty)