We just had our staff training day to prepare us for our upcoming Encampment. A SM Major informed us that the metallic rank stripes for airmen and sergeants are on wrong. The edge of the stripes are 1 inch from the collar, not the edge of the entire insignia; this makes the insignia 1/16th of an inch too high if measured correctly. Is this specified anywhere? If so: where? If it even makes a difference. I thought it was interesting and it made me think...
C/SMSgt Daniel M. Kelleher
Grand Strand Composite Squadron
MER-SC-114
I think Figure 6-6. is pretty clear. http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/M39_1_chap_6_sec_A.pdf (http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/M39_1_chap_6_sec_A.pdf)
The information provided was incorrect. CAPM 39-1 is very clear; the metal insignia goes exactly 1 inch from the collar. He's confusing the placement of embroidered rank insignias, which go 1 inch from the actual rank insignia and not from the blue background.
Storm Chaser has it right. See page 117 of CAPM 39-1 for an illustration of the placement.