How to Place Captain Bars

In the United States Armed Forces, officers of the captain rank are distinguished by a collar insignia pin consisting of two parallel silver bars. Commonly known as "captain bars," the specific placement of this insignia is on the collar of the officer's field, work and utility uniform's coat or jacket.

Remove the jacket or coat, zip up the front and lay it face-up on a flat surface.

Study the angle at which the side and bottom edges of the collar meet and form the tip of the collar. Visualize an imaginary straight line bisecting this angle. Label this line the "reference line."

Line up the space between the two parallel bars of the captain insignia with the reference line.

Space the bottom of the bars 1 inch from the tip of the collar.

Repeat for the opposite collar. If done properly, you will be wearing a total of two captain insignias, i.e. one per collar tip.