AUGUST 7, 2026 — The Department of the Army officially approved the Army-wide wear of the Jungle Tab as an official Skill Tab, formally recognizing the elite jungle warfare expertise of our Soldiers across the entire force.
The tab is now authorized for any current Active, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers who successfully graduated from the grueling Jungle Operations Training Course. Retroactive eligibility is additionally approved for former service members who completed unit-level jungle training at the JOTC in Fort Sherman, Panama, from 1990 to 1999, or at the Hawaii-based jungle course following Sherman’s closure.
“Those who overcame the ‘Green Hell’ of the Panama jungle course or the rigorous Hawaiian rainforest can now wear the elite Jungle Tab,” said Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kohunsky, HQDA G-3/5/7. “Tactics and training techniques required to fight, survive and win within the harsh jungle environment are deserving of recognition.
The Panamanian-based JOTC operated during the majority of the Cold War and beyond, and was nicknamed “the Green Hell” for training thousands of Soldiers in dense, jungle heat and humidity, including many who served during the Vietnam War. Today, the JOTC continues on Oahu, Hawaii, conducted at the 25th Infantry Division’s Lightning School. It is a 12-day training course focusing on the individual skills associated with Jungle Dismounted Mobility, Land Navigation, Combat Tracking, Jungle Tactics and Survival Training.
“The Jungle Tab is an official skill tab, like the Sapper Tab, Special Forces Tab or Ranger Tab,” said Sgt. Maj. Kohunsky. “It will appear on the uniform immediately after the Sapper Tab and before the President’s Hundred Tab, proving mastery of jungle survival fundamentals.”
Current, eligible Soldiers can claim their recognition by submitting a Personnel Action Request with proof of training in the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army. Requests must be routed to the first Battalion Commander (O-5) or above in the chain of command, and include supporting documentation such as a graduation certificate, certificate of training, unit orders, or a student record demonstrating completion of a qualifying course. Once approved, the Army will update the Soldier’s official record to reflect the special skills badge.
Veterans seeking retroactive award of the Jungle Tab must submit evidence of their eligibility, such as deployment, temporary duty, or mobilization orders validating their attendance and completion of JOTC. All veteran inquiries and supporting documentation should be directed to the Awards and Decorations Branch at U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY.
The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 is currently incorporating the official policy and procedures for the approval, presentation, and wear of the Jungle Tab, which will be codified in forthcoming revisions of AR 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia) and AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards).
By Army Public Affairs