Can anyone help me with the proper terminology regarding the shoulder stripes of a captain, etc on a ship??

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

Tree, not sure if you are just looking for the number of stripes that correlate to Naval Officer ranks or looking for what the shoulderboards, braid, etc terminology is called. Here is a reference to Naval Officer ranks by stripes and brass insignia: Navy Ranks. Btw, a Captain (O-6) is four stripes.

Thank you for the link! I printed it out!

I'm looking for the NAME of the stripes. I heard it was something like "appalette" ?? Not knowing the correct spelling makes it tough to look up!

Does only the Navy wear these, or do cruise ship crew also wear them??

Thanx!

The word you are looking for is

epaulet.


Main Entry: ep·au·let
Variant(s): also ep·au·lette /"e-p&-'let; 'e-p&-"let, -l&t/
Function: noun
Etymology: French épaulette, diminutive of épaule shoulder, from Late Latin spatula shoulder blade, spoon, diminutive of Latin spatha spoon, sword -- more at SPADE
Date: 1783

: something that ornaments or protects the shoulder: as a : an ornamental fringed shoulder pad formerly worn as part of a military uniform b : an ornamental strip or loop sewn across the shoulder of a dress or coat
- ep·au·let·ted /"e-p&-'le-t&d, 'e-p&-"/ adjective

Thanx a bunch!

That's what I was looking for!

Please notice exactly what Trixkala's definition says about 'epaulette' (the British spelling)..." a shoulder pad formerly worn as part of a military uniform". As Kwll's recommended site says, they are nowadays actually called 'stripes' or 'insignia' and those on the shoulder are - certainly in Britain and so, it would seem, in the USA - sewn onto 'boards'.

Thank you monsterquizzer!!!

Epaulette's are still worn by service members in the US Navy, but they aren't stripes. They're braided cords that tie to the left shoulder and wrap under the arm. They're usually worn to indicate the staff members of flag rank officers.

The proper name for the four stripes on a captain's shoulder boards are "stripes" according to uniform regs. Sorry, we're more boring than we used to be.

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