How has the USBP Uniform Evolved​?

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Timeline of USBP Uniform History
​(Updates as new information is discovered)
December 11, 1924, the USBP uniform was  created with General Order 42 (GO42)
  • All Patrol Inspectors wore silver hat insignia, collar discs, shoulder ornaments and buttons. Patrol Inspectors in Charge (now called CPAs) wore the aforementioned in gold.
  • All items were controlled by HQ.
  • The color of the uniform was forest green.
  • Two hats authorized, the Pershing hat and the campaign hat. Campaign hats were considered a summer variant.
  • Pants were riding crops with leather wraps called puttees (not boots)
​1926-1930 - Uniform amendments to GO42 
  • 1926 – Boots first authorized
  • 1928 – First official rank insignia (fabric) for Senior Patrol Inspectors, Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents
    • Fabric controlled by HQ
    • All metal on the uniform must match based on rank.  Oxidized for BPIs and SPIs and gilt for CPIs and above.
    • First time-in-service insignia (fabric). Fabric controlled by HQ
    • Cross strap worn over left shoulder
    • White shirt authorized under jackets for dress occasions
    • Insignia discontinued on the campaign hat.
    • Blue shoulder straps added as per this memo
  • 1929 – Long overcoat authorized
  • 1930 – Pith helmet authorized
September 10, 1931, the second BP Uniform Policy, General Order 179 (GO179), implemented.
  • Sam Brown belt colors different for the northern border (black) and the southern border (cordovan).
1931 – Military ribbons considered for wear
1932-1935 - Uniform amendments to GO179 
  • 1932 - Double breasted coat authorized
  • 1934 – Trousers begin to be authorized over riding crops on the southern border.
  • 1935 – Double breasted leather coat authorized
1934 – Earliest rough duty uniform authorized.
1936 – Slacks authorized on the northern border
1937 –
  • Shoulder straps were authorized to be worn over either shoulder to support the firearm and alleviate the sagging of the Sam Brown Belt.
  • A windbreaker jacket was authorized
1939 – An eight pointed hat modeled after the NYPD was researched and later implemented over the Pershing hat.
1940 – A fatigue uniform was proposed but never implemented.
1941 – New DOJ Badges issued.  Penalties for losing badges.
1942 – Gold service stars (time-in-service) implemented.
1944 – Border Patrol Patch first worn.
1949 – Army sun tan colored uniforms first worn in south Texas
1951 - Army sun tan colored uniforms authorized for rough duty wear on the southern border
1952 – USBP Pistol Team uniform implemented
1954 – 1956 – Uniform Policy (3rd uniform policy located).  It is believed that another policy which has never been located was issued in the 1940s making this the 4th uniform policy​.
  • Having both official and rough duty uniforms is mandatory
  • Overseas cap authorized for pilots
  • Military ribbons authorized on uniform
  • Shoulder ornaments are symbols of rank
    • Gold – CPI
    • Silver – ACPI
    • Oxidized – SPI
  • Eisenhower Jackets authorized for all until 1958, then only for pilots.  Must be buttoned. This is also the earliest reference to the jacket so far located.
1963 -
  • Earliest photographic evidence of brass name tags being used on uniform shirts. 
  • T-shirts authorized for wear as an undergarment but cannot be visible.
1970 -  The Border Patrol change titles from "Inspector" to "Agent" and new badges were issued.​
1974 – "50th Anniversary 1924-1974" patch authorized for wear under the USBP patch during the year
1976 – American bicentennial patch authorized for wear on the right arm during the year
1980 – Military style rank insignia implement.  Rank insignia was intended to assimilate military rank insignia into civilian pay grades.
1993 - Bike Patrol and Boat Patrol uniforms authorized
1999 – USBP 75th Anniversary devices authorized for wear
  • Lapel device in rough duty for the year
  • Ribbon and medal on Ike Jacket
  • Discontinued in 2009, re-implemented in 2019 with the USBP Honorary Awards
2002-2004 – The following awards authorized for wear
  • Newton-Azrak
  • Purple Cross
  • Chief's Commendation. - This was awarded only once.  The design was repurposed as the USBP Achievement Award in 2018.
2003 – CBP Patch mandated on right arm
2006 – CBP badges issued
2007 –
  • The new RDU Uniform authorized for wear
  • Military ribbons no longer authorized for wear
  • Interim USBP Pipe and Drums uniform authorized for wear
2010 – USBP Pipes and Drums uniform authorized
2019 – USBP Honorary Awards authorized for wear
2020 – New USBP Authorized Device guidance issued.  Some devices are authorized for wear for the agent's career while others only while assigned to the unit.
2021 -
  • The current Uniform and Grooming Policy implemented.  It is known that modifications often occur post-issuance through memoranda. Please note that HonorFirst.com lacks the capacity to access or amend these modifying memoranda.
  • Tan boots authorized for wear in Class C uniforms (rough duty uniforms).
Picture
An example of the Border Patrol's first uniform.

How has the USBP Uniform Evolved?

Please send comments and questions to cliff@honorfirst.com.