United States Army Service Uniform (Dress Blue) Service Stripes - Male Size Criteria: A service stripe, commonly called a hash mark, is a decoration of the United States military which is presented to members of the U.S. Army to denote length of service. The United States Army awards each stripe for three years of honorable service.Army Service Uniform Service Stripes are gold-colored rayon or a goldenlite rayon or nylon braid, 3/16-inch wide, and 1-5/16-in long and is authorized for wear for all enlisted personnel. Service stripes are sewn on the outside of the left sleeve, 4 inches from the bottom of the sleeve at a 45 degree angle. Additional service stripes are sewn parallel to and 1/16-in above the stripe below. Note: The number of stripes ordered come attached together as one large patch for simple application directly to the Army Service Uniform coat.