Marcus Chen
The M1 Abrams is an American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense and named for General Creighton Abrams. The tank has seen a variety of paint schemes and markings throughout its history. The direction of the chevron on an M1 Abrams tank typically indicates the company, while the numbers indicate the platoon and tank. For example, a chevron pointing up with the number 51 inside may indicate the 1-64 Battalion, Alpha Company, 1st Platoon. The chevrons are usually white or black for contrast against the vehicle's colour.
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What You'll Learn
Chevron direction and number meanings
The direction and number meanings of chevrons painted on M1 Abrams tanks are not standardized across the US Army. However, some patterns have been observed and shared by enthusiasts on online forums.
The direction of the chevron can indicate the company, with platoon and tank denoted by numbers. For example, a chevron pointing up could indicate Alpha Company, while Bravo Company would be indicated by a chevron pointing down. The platoon leader's tank is usually the first tank, so "A11" would indicate the platoon leader of the 1st platoon, Alpha Company. Chevron markings can also be accompanied by square dots, with the platoon leader's tank marked by a single square dot inside the chevron.
Chevron markings can also indicate battalion-company-platoon. For example, a chevron pointing up with the number 51 inside could indicate 1-64 Battalion, Alpha Company, 1st Platoon. The USMC and Marines are believed to use a similar but different system from the Army.
It is important to note that these marking systems may change over time and vary depending on the unit and its standard operating procedures.
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Chevron colour meanings
The chevrons painted on an M1 Abrams tank are used as markings to identify a unit. The direction of the chevron indicates the company, while the numbers inside indicate the platoon and tank. For example, a chevron pointing up with the number 51 inside indicates the 1-64 Battalion, Alpha Company, 1st Platoon. The chevrons are usually painted in white or black for contrast with the vehicle's colour. The platoon can also be denoted by dots inside the chevron.
The company commander's tank has no square dots or numbers inside the chevron. The platoon leader's tank is usually the first tank, and the platoon sergeant's tank is the third. The second and fourth tanks are the wingmen tanks of the platoon leader and platoon sergeant, respectively.
The USMC has different standards for their markings. The Marines use a similar but different system than the Army with these chevrons.
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Chevron use by Marines
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense and named for General Creighton Abrams. It was conceived for modern armoured ground warfare and is one of the heaviest tanks in service.
Now, coming to the use of chevrons by the Marines, the chevron is an insignia used by the US military to denote the rank of NCOs (non-commissioned officers). The word chevron comes from the French word for rafter or roof, which is what the insignia resembles—two straight lines meeting at an angle.
Historically, the use of chevrons by the US Army and Marine company grade officers began in 1820, with one chevron with the point up worn on each arm. The colour of the chevrons varied depending on the wearer's branch of service. By 1833, they had stopped wearing chevrons and returned to using epaulettes as rank insignia.
Today, the use of chevrons varies between different branches of the US military. While the Army uses chevrons with the points up, the Marines use a similar but different system. For example, a chevron pointed up can denote Alpha Company, while the addition of a small square dot inside can indicate the First Platoon, with the tank's bumper code being A13. Chevrons can also be used to denote battalion, company, and platoon, as well as troop and tank or platoon in a cavalry regiment.
The colour of the chevrons can vary, with white or black being common choices to contrast with the vehicle's colour, and the direction of the chevron can also carry significance.
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Chevron use by different battalions
Chevrons are V-shaped marks or symbols that are used as badges or insignia in military or police uniforms to denote rank or length of service. In the context of different battalions, the direction of the chevron can indicate the company, while the numbers inside the chevron indicate the platoon and tank. For example, a chevron pointing up with the number 51 inside may indicate the 1-64 Battalion, Alpha Company, 1st Platoon.
The use of chevrons to indicate rank or length of service varies across different military forces and police forces worldwide. In Western European tradition, chevrons are typically used as an insignia of non-commissioned officer or sub-officer ranks, although there are exceptions where stripes or stars are used instead. In the United States, the Army and Marines use chevrons pointing upwards, while the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard use inverted chevrons.
In the Commonwealth of Nations, chevrons are also used as insignia of enlisted or NCO ranks, but they typically point away from the neck, in contrast to the American usage. The number of chevrons indicates the rank, with one chevron designating a lance corporal, two for a corporal, and three for a sergeant.
The use of chevrons is not limited to military forces. In some police forces, chevrons are also used to indicate rank or length of service. Additionally, chevrons have been adopted in various civilian contexts, such as road signs to denote bends and company logos, like the double chevron logo of French carmaker Citroën.
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Chevron use in different countries
The M1 Abrams is a main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams. It is one of the heaviest tanks in service.
The use of chevrons on tanks is a method of identification. The direction of the chevron can indicate the company, while the numbers indicate the platoon and tank. Letter and number combinations usually denote troop and tank or platoon in a cavalry regiment.
In the United States, the M1 Abrams tank has been deployed in various color schemes, including the MERDC 4-color paint scheme, which consists of Green 383, Brown 383, and black. During the Iraq War, US Army Abrams tanks were painted in a desert tan color, known as CARC Tan 686A.
In Australia, the M1A1 variant of the Abrams tank is camouflaged in AUSCAM, a scheme that consists of black, olive drab, and brown. This camouflage pattern is designed to provide effective concealment in a range of Australian environments.
While not country-specific, it is worth noting that the USMC (United States Marine Corps) has different standards for chevron usage compared to the US Army.
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Frequently asked questions
Chevrons are used to identify company/platoon or company/platoon/tank. The direction of the chevron indicates the company, while the numbers inside indicate the platoon and tank.
Chevrons are usually white or black, depending on the vehicle's colour for contrast.
The numbers inside the chevrons indicate the platoon and tank. For example, Chevron pointing up with the number 51 inside - 1-64 Battalion, Alpha Company, 1st Platoon.
Yes, the Marines use a similar but different system of chevrons. For example, a chevron with a black square and a sand number indicates a troop chevron.
