The exact placement rules for stars, crossed bugles, and uncrossed bugles, per the Wearing Collar Brass Illustration exhibit (revised December 2021).
The four placement scenarios
Collar brass placement depends on the type of brass and whether the necktie is worn:
1. Stars
- Placed on each collar, parallel to the inside of the collar, 1″ from the front.
- Applies with or without a necktie.
For Class A, the necktie is always worn. For Class B and C, the necktie is optional — but the placement of the stars stays the same regardless. The 1″ measurement is from the front edge of the collar.
2. Odd number of crossed bugles
- The middle bugle points at the collar tip.
- Placed 1″ from the collar tip.
- Applies with or without a necktie.
This applies to: - 5 crossed gold bugles (Unit Chief) - 3 crossed gold bugles (Division Chief, Aviation Officer II, etc.)
3. Even number of crossed bugles
- The middle point between the bugles points at the collar tip.
- Placed 1″ from the collar tip.
- Applies with or without a necktie.
This applies to: - 4 crossed gold bugles (Deputy Chief, Aviation Officer III, etc.) - 2 crossed gold bugles (Battalion Chief, Forester I, etc.)
4. Uncrossed bugles
- With necktie: worn at 90° (horizontal).
- Without necktie: worn parallel to the collar tip angle, 1″ from the collar tip.
This applies to: - 2 vertical silver bugles / Nickel finish (Fire Captain, DSFM Range B, etc.) - 1 vertical silver bugle / Nickel finish (Fire Apparatus Engineer, DSFM Range A, etc.)
So if you're a Fire Captain wearing Class A (necktie required), your bugles sit horizontal. If you're a Fire Captain wearing Class B without the optional necktie, your bugles sit at the collar-tip angle.
Special cases
Class A
The necktie is always worn, so all bugle placements default to the "with necktie" version. Stars sit 1″ from the front of the collar. Crossed bugles point at the collar tip from 1″. Uncrossed bugles sit at 90°.
Class B / C / D
The necktie is optional (B, C) or doesn't pair (D). The placement rules above apply based on whether you have the tie on that day. Stars: same. Crossed bugles: same. Uncrossed bugles: 90° if tie is worn, collar-tip angle if not.
Class E
The necktie is prohibited for Class E. So uncrossed bugles default to the "without necktie" position — collar-tip angle, 1″ from collar tip.
Class E adds the vest-carrier modifier: - Optional with LE External and Tactical Vest Carrier - Required with LE Internal Vest Carrier and/or while wearing soft body armor under the Uniform Shirt
The 1″ measurement
The 1″ measurement is consistent across all collar brass placements: it's measured from the front of the collar (for stars) or from the collar tip (for bugles). Use a ruler. Inspect mirror.
Manufacturer
Blackinton & Co. is the only authorized model for collar brass — see the Collar Brass Guide article for SKUs by rank.
Source
Wearing Collar Brass Illustration exhibit, revised December 2021. See the Collar Brass exhibit (revised August 2023) for the rank-to-SKU table.
