What does it mean when a soldier "EARNS HIS STRIPES?"?

Question

Or what does that mean in general? For any situation?

Answer 1

In simple terms: he gets the job done, or he got the job done. It probably doesn't have anything to do with his rank or if he deserves his rank. Often time, it can pertain to a single incident or specific job.

Answer 2

It means he has been through an experience that has clearly demonstrated that he deserves the rank bestowed upon him.
It's kind of the equivalent of saying after someone has put in a very hard days work "well you really earned your pay today".

P.S. Let me elaborate. Some have said it merely means someone is getting promoted, or has the time in grade to be promoted. From my experience it meant something a little different. People get promoted for various things..their time in the service, their time in grade, their conduct and proficiency, and the schools they've been to. Rank implies you have demonstrated certain qualities of leadership, but not all promotions are created equal....if you follow me. Especially among combat veterans sometimes those who have made their rank in the States may not be considered "proven". While obligated to obey their orders some may not personally respect their rank. Here's just an example of how the phrase "earned his stripes" might be used. A new NCO joins a plt. Most don't know him and may among themselves question his abilities. Then say another person who has previously served with the new man and knows his qualifications might say " Hey, he's earned his stripes"....meaning don't question this guy, he deserves the rank he has. That's just one example...at least of what I've always viewed the expression to mean.

Answer 3

Generally it means earning your promotion, since many ranks in most militaries have v-shaped stripes, or chevrons (yes, like the gas station emblem) this means that they have more stripes than they had before. Officers do not have stripes, they have symbols like 1 or 2 bars and then other symbols like eagles that change from bronze to silver and finally a star to denote a general. The example here is from the US military, but most other militaries are very similar.

Answer 4

The rank insignia in many military orgs for NCO,s is chevron's which are usually called stripes. To "earn his stripes" means the soldier has attained at a minimum corporal rank.

Answer 5

it can mean a few things... in the Marines it can mean a Lance Corporal was promoted to Corporal, which grants him the "blood stripe" on his blues pants (the red stripe up the side), it can also mean that a soldier is adding another stripe to his service stripes (you add one for every 4 years you're in- at least in the USMC) OR it could refer to promotions in general, since you typically add items/ chevrons/ rockers or stripes to your personal insignia when you are promoted.

Answer 6

It means that the guy earned his rank through combat, which has historically been faster than years of just "sitting around" and playing politics.

Answer 7

It means that he has just been promoted to Sergeant E-5. It means that now he is a leader and has more responsibility's assuming the trust of his superiors that he can handle the job.

Answer 8

It means he isn't just being promoted for his time in service or because he kissed the butt of his higher ups. It means he gave his all in his MOS, in his billet if he holds one, in PT, in knowledge etc.

Answer 9

stripes denote rank more stripes equals higher rank at least thats what i think

Answer 10

He gets a promotion.