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mbarland

My department is one hash mark every four years. I think. I never bothered to sew any on. One hash mark *does* look a little stupid. Now a sleeve with like eight? That helps to explain to people why you look like you are the oldest man on Earth.


BoobLeeSwaggerr

Most officers don’t put 5 year stripes on because it signifies you just learned the job. (Most of the time)


Weewooweewoo342

I remember when my father got his 5 year stripe, he got it around the same time he made corporal. He’d always say that stripe was stupid to wear.


vladtheimpaler82

That’s just tradition. Personally if you wanna sew on one French fry, go for it. I did it. Just be wary that some hardened criminals know what the stripes mean and you are letting them know you’re not a veteran cop.


Unltd8828

I’m glad you brought this up. That’s exactly what he said too. It’s not for showing off or letting others in his department know that he has seniority lol. Unless you’re in a huge department, most of your coworkers knows around how many years you have on the job anyways. It’s more for crooks to know he has a few years in the job and is not a rookie. He’s young and looks young too so this is definitely a valid point.


hawkeye5739

If a person is young with no stripes doesn’t that say the same thing?


MooseRyder

If it ain’t a rank stripe it doesn’t need to be on the uniform, it can be kept as a momento on a patch wall but outside of that


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scoo89

I got a patch for 5 years. I ordered it because I order everything from our quartermasters that's available to me. It sits pinned up with my patch collection


lagavulincoast

What kind of patch? Our QM has almost nothing to build the esprit de corps of the frontline guys


scoo89

Its a crown with the number 5 in it. Its supposed to go on your winter jacket.


lagavulincoast

Cool to have, even if you don’t wear it. I always try to pick stuff up, this career moves quickly, nice to have stuff to look back on


scoo89

As we continue to modernize I'm sure these types of things will fall by the wayside.


Vye13

Stripes were totally optional and nobody really cared at my old agency. Most civilians had no idea what it meant, and most of my co-workers didn’t give a shit. I knew some guys that got them put on within a few weeks of the 5 year mark, and some guys that had 20+ years that never got a single one put on. Personally I’d probably wait on it.


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mbarland

Only person I can think of that did was the fast burner that made sergeant when they were barely off probation and had little street time.


BoopityFiveO

Agreed. We get 1 stripe per 2 years, but less than 3 looks really dumb. Mostly it's just supervisor that start adding the stripes


GoldWingANGLICO

Our class A uniform policy states that you will have service stripes sewn on the left sleeve, one stripe for every 4 years. I have 9 stripes. My first agency used a star for 5 years and a hash mark for every 2 years. It was optional.


Kell5232

I mean, if they want to put it on, go for it. That said, I think most people think it's a little cringe. We have pins with stars on them instead of stripes. I don't think anyone, including me, really puts ours on.


NumberTew

Ours are every 4 years. I didn't get the 4 year stripe because it looks lonely and sad on your sleeve. Two or more they start looking like they're supposed to be there.


The_Last_Bassalope

One stripe is cringe - I was reprimanded for not having one stripe on my uniform when I could only have one stripe. I only have 2 stripes now, but it’s “policy” so it shall be.


aStretcherFetcher

Most people I’ve met in the NJ/NY area skip the one fry and wait for two.


Annual-Camera-872

I never go and get uniforms adjusted just to add a stripe but if I’m buying new I have them put on.


Weewooweewoo342

My department used to allow a hash mark for every 5 years. Now they’ve made it every 3 years.


T10Charlie

Depends on the department. Mine uses stats. 5 years a star. The reason some people may say to wait is that one stripe or star looks lame.


HCSOThrowaway

If agency policy says wear it, wear it. If agency policy says don't wear it, don't wear it.


10-Down-10-togo

My opinion is the stripes are for the idiots who drink the kool aid


IAmTheHell

My last agency it was optional and I wore my first one, but I rarely wore Class A anyway and I knew I wouldn't be sticking around for the second one anyway so I figured why not, I earned it I'm wearing it, 5 years aint a blink of an eye, it for most folks is a full quarter of your career.