Academic officer shoulder strap that preceded the academic professional officer shoulder strap.in use from the 1960s to 1981

the “officer status” epaulette was used in the past to indicate the temporary or professional status of soldiers who held officer positions without a regular officer rank.

Here are the historical details of its use in the IDF:

Who was awarded the epaulette?

The epaulette was awarded mainly to soldiers in permanent service or trainees who held positions defined as officer positions, but did not go through the formal training course at the 1st Military Academy (or had not yet completed it):

• Academic trainees: Before the KMA (Academic Professional Officer) ranks were introduced in 1981, trainees who served in their profession without an officer course sometimes wore this epaulette to indicate their senior professional status.
• Those with unique professions: Doctors, lawyers, or experts in technical fields who were drafted into the service and received officer powers due to their professional knowledge.
• Soldiers who were authorized to perform an officer’s role (e.g., platoon commanders) during periods of manpower shortages or before attending an officer’s course, sometimes wore similar markings.
• Beginning of use: The use of cloth shoulder straps with the inscription “in the rank of officer” was common in the IDF from the 1960s to the 1980s.
• End of use: In 1981, the general ranks of the KMA were introduced, which eliminated the need for cloth shoulder straps with the explicit inscription.