What’s a Shoulder Cord?
Just a standard braided rope that fits onto the shoulder either underneath an epaulet (picture below, #452) or above the epaulet on the outside shoulder seam (picture below, #484SL). The cord above was specially made for the Modesto Fire Department Honor Guard by Shoulder Cords Unlimited. Glendale Paradestore also customizes cords to suit your needs.
The enlisted Air Force uniform has the ‘problem’ of not having epaulettes on the shoulder any more and still many JROTC units use the older style ropes that fit underneath the epaulette and are fastened to the epaulette’s button. The newer AF uniform does not look good with the old style rope, since the rope was specifically made for having a button there on the shoulder. The solution for JROTC units is the “Shaker Knot” cord (picture below, #484SL) not hiking the standard shoulder cord up underneath the uniform’s collar.
What’s an Aiguillette?
Pronounced “ay-gwee-et.” An aiguillette is a more ornate shoulder cord. A standard shoulder cord as many call them does not have a tassel, while aiguillettes have one or even two tassels. They can be quite ornate with multiple cords on the inside and outside of the arm, as well.
Pinning the Cord and the Tassels (“Nose Pickers”)
Standard Shoulder Cord: Pinning is not really necessary since there is not much slack in the cord when one moves.
“Shaker Knot” Cords: You really need to pin this type of shoulder cord from the inside of the blouse (“jacket” for all of you non-honor guard types) or shirt. Pin at 9 and 3 o’clock. Pinning any lower will make the cord bend inward; you want it to hang straight down.
The Tassels: Pin the knot of this rope from the inside of the blouse/shirt. Whether on a “Shaker knot” or standard shoulder cord, make sure it is hanging straight down and pin it. This will make sure the thing doesn’t knock your teeth out!
Did you know? shoulder cords are made by macrame a form of knotting. All macrame is knotting, but all knotting is not macrame.
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Good Morning Sir,
I was wondering if you know what the different colored aiguillettes mean for NJROTC?
Units give colors and types the significance they have. I do not know of any blanket standard.
DM
I would like to purchase one, USAF , Shoulder cord. It is very important too my restoration of vintage family uniform.
Mr. Johnson,
http://www.paradestore.com is the place to go for shoulder cords.