WWI Service Coat. FIELD PROMOTED OFFICER REVERT BACK TO SGT withGreen Mohair Cuff

For your consideration is this EXTREMELY RARE WWI, M1917 Officer's Wool Service Coat with GREEN MOHAIR CUFFS at the wrist & SERGEANT CHEVRON on right sleeve. This group includes the NCO coat with green mohair cuffs and overseas cap. Based on September 1919 regulations, U.

Army enlisted men (NCOs) who were commissioned as officers in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and later reverted to their previous NCO rank post-Armistice were authorized to wear forest green mohair cuff braid. This braid signified their service as a commissioned officer. These green mohair cuffs allow former field promoted Officers, who chose to revert back to their original NCO rank, and stay within the Army, retain a visible and honorable sign of their wartime leadership.

Army rapidly expanded, requiring many NCOs to be commissioned as "temporary officers" to meet leadership demands. Following the 1918 Armistice and subsequent massive military contraction-reducing forces from 250,000 to 20,000 in one year-these temporary officers often reverted to their previous NCO ranks or were discharged. Authorization: Special Army Regulation No. 41, dated September 2, 1919, authorized : Significance: forest green Mohair braid on the sleeve cuff (typically 3 inches from the cuff edge) this indicated that the NCO had been a field-promoted or temporary officer during The Great War. Uniform Type: The uniform was typically the olive drab wool service coat (M1912 or M1917).

---