What Does Blue Cord in Army Basic Training
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Newly minted infantrymen receive their Infantry Blue Cords at a "Turning Blue" ceremony after 16 weeks of Initial Entry Training a.k.a. One Station Unit Training the day before graduation in front of their barracks at Fort Benning's Sand Hill in 2009.
Notice the infantry blue cord worn on the right shoulder of this infantry first sergeant during Veteran's Day ceremonies at 8th U.S. Army Headquarters, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, South Korea.
A man prepares to place the Infantry Blue Cord on a U.S. Army soldier as he exits Advanced Individual Training (AIT).
Infantryman wearing dress blues and the infantry blue cord from the 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard) during Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery during Memorial Day ceremonies 2010.
The Infantry Blue Cord is a United States Army decoration worn over the right shoulder of all qualified U.S. Army infantryman. It is a fourragere in light blue ("Infantry Blue") worn under the right shoulder and under the right epaulette of a U.S. Army infantryman's Class A dress green or dress blue uniform jacket or Class B shirt. The cord is composed of a series of alternating left and right half knots that are tied around a leader cord to form a "Solomon bar".
The Infantry Blue Cord is presented to all qualified infantryman in the U.S. Army at the end of their Initial Entry Training. Officers commissioned into the infantry receive their Blue Cords at the end of the Infantry Officer Basic Course (IOBC). Enlisted infantryman earn their Blue Cords after successfully completing all Infantry Training Brigade requirements required for achieving the infantry MOS by graduating from 16 weeks of Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT), or six weeks of Infantry Advanced Individual Training (AIT), all of which are conducted at the U.S. Army Infantry Center's Infantry Training Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia. Commissioned officers earn their blue cord after graduating from the U.S. Army Infantry School's Infantry Officer Basic Course (IBOLC), also held at Fort Benning, Georgia.
The Infantry Blue Cord is meant to be worn only by qualified U.S. Army Infantrymen currently assigned to an infantry unit in the Active Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve. Only those with an Infantry MOS Military Occupational Specialty such as 11A(officers), 11B, 11C, (NOT 11X as this is an "unassigned" position designated for recruits who are contracted into the CMF (Career Management Field) 11 - Infantry). Other 11 series MOS holders (as both their primary and duty MOS) who may wear the cord are Infantrymen assigned to an Infantry slot that is not in an Infantry unit (such as with Infantry assigned to a cavalry unit) if authorized, or Instructors, Drill Sergeants, or Recruiters.
Qualified Infantry soldiers who are not assigned to an Infantry unit, to include those who are an 11-series MOS holder transitioning to 18-series MOS, for example, (CMF 18 is the designation for Army Special Forces MOS) may not wear the Infantry Blue Cord or Disks; those assigned to an Infantry unit, may wear the Infantry Blue Cord and Disks until their transition to a non-Infantry unit is complete.
History
During the Korean War General "Lightning Joe" Collins, Chief of Staff for the Army, asked a group of advisors what could be done to enhance the morale of the fighting Infantryman. It was decided that they would receive special insignia, so that everyone would know that the soldier was an Infantryman who would be fighting on the front lines.
A light-blue cord was created to be worn over the right shoulder of both officers and enlisted men. Also, light-blue plastic disks were issued to be placed behind the metal "crossed rifles" Infantry branch of service insignia disks. The new enhancements were first worn by the 3rd US Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard").
The light-blue cord and disks became standard for all Infantrymen in 1952. Although some other service branches adopted colored plastic disks for their branch insignia (e.g., red for Artillery, yellow for Cavalry) the blue shoulder cord is unique to the Infantry.
Presentation
Today, enlisted graduates of Infantry One Station Unit Training receive their blue cord at the "Turning Blue" ceremony held the day before their Initial Entry Training/OSUT graduation, or graduation from Infantry AIT. Other branches attend a similar ceremony called "Turning Green", but do not receive a shoulder cord.
Graduates of the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course must complete their two week-long final FTX with a tactical road march and a mock company attack. Prior to graduation and out-processing, students have their "Blue Cord" ceremony at Freedom Hall where their blue cords are pinned on them by their platoon trainer Captain and NCOs. The staff sergeant or sergeant first class who pins on the blue cord then renders a salute recognizing the lieutenant's entry into the ranks of the Infantry.
References
- AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia (28–30. Distinctive items authorized for infantry personnel).
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Source: https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Blue_Infantry_Cord
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