Army regulations state that “Male soldiers may wear a conservative tie tack or clasp with a necktie,” specifically the four-in-hand tie that is a clothing-bag issue item. Our Corporal tie tack features two gold-colored chevrons indicating the lowest NCO rank set upon a black enamel background. Regulations are silent as to the placement of the tie tack on the tie, but in light of the instructions found in AR 670-1—“ Soldiers will keep uniforms buttoned, zipped, and snapped”—it should be placed just below the Windsor, half-Windsor, or four-in-hand knot if you wish it to be seen.

The origin of the title of Corporal can be traced to 15th-century Italian army formations known as squadra, which is literally translated as “square” but came to refer to a team or squad. At the head of these small tactical groups was a capo (boss or head), thus capo de squadra. Somehow, this phrase was shortened to caporale in Italian and caporal in French, in both cases referring to a low-ranking NCO exercising command over privates; by the time it reached British and American shores it had been transformed into our word Corporal.

In today’s U.S. Army, Corporal is the lowest grade of Noncommissioned Officer and can command a four-person Fire Team. In contrast, the very first companies of “expert riflemen” authorized by Congressional resolution on June 14, 1775 had four sergeants, four corporals and sixty-eight privates, a 1:17 ratio (assuming that the number of privates was equally divided among the corporals and placed under their command).

About us



100% secure payment

Salute Industries Inc, proud maker of The Salute Uniforms.
105 Apache Drive, Archdale, NC, 27263.