Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations. Flexible metal epaulettes are referred to as shoulder scales.
Officer of the French Republican Guard with epaulettes
Louis XIV wearing shoulder ribbons, an early type of epaulette of the late 17th century
This US Navy coatee from c. 1862 has initials on the epaulettes that stand for Medical Service. The length on the epaulettes distinguishes rank; in this case the 2.5-inch length indicates the rank of assistant surgeon.
Belgian Grenadiers with red fringed epaulettes
A shoulder mark, also called rank slide, or slip-on, is a flat cloth sleeve worn on the shoulder strap of a uniform. It may bear rank or other insignia. A shoulder mark should not be confused with a shoulder board, shoulder knot or epaulette, although these terms are often used interchangeably.
British military shoulder mark in form of a rank slide on a pullover with a sergeant of the Royal Air Force insignia.
Not to be confused with rank slides or slip-ons: Epauletten and Achselstücke (braided shoulder knots and plain shoulder boards) of the German Empire 1871-1918
Three operational dress uniforms of the Canadian Forces, showing the two styles of slip-on worn by the Royal Canadian Navy. The red fabric between the two rows of braid indicates a medical officer; the navies of some other Commonwealth realms also use red stripes to denote a medical officer.
Firm shoulder board, with two small white loops on the shirt for fixing
