Blog #64 Army Has New Tab: “JUNGLE”
Army Officially Authorizes New Jungle Tab for Elite Warfare Training
Aug 11, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT. https://www.military.com/army
“Tactics and training techniques required to fight, survive and win within the harsh jungle environment are deserving of recognition,” Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training, Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kohunsky, said in a statement.
The Army has authorized the gold and black tab that simply reads “Jungle” for any current active, Reserve, and National Guard soldiers who successfully graduated from the grueling Jungle Operations Training Course.
The JOTC is a 12- to 18-day program taught in Hawaii and Panama that trains service members in survival, tracking, land navigation, and small-unit tactics within dense triple-canopy jungles. Graduates who pass the grueling course earn the official permanent U.S. Army Jungle Tab.
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,” Sgt. Maj. Kohunsky said.
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. The new tab is a symbol of the training and a badge of completion.
Eligible soldiers would have to claim their tab by submitting a Personnel Action Request with proof of training. Requests must be routed to the first battalion commander 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.
Army officials are finalizing the official policy and procedures for the presentation and wear of the Jungle Tab, which will be among the latest revisions of the Army’s “Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia” policy.
Main Types of Military Badges are:
Combat Badges: Show that a service member has taken part in active ground fighting or direct battle, like the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or the Combat Action Badge (CAB).
Skill and Occupation Badges: Mark completion of elite training courses or high proficiency in fields like parachuting (jump wings), aviation, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), or pathfinding.
Identification Badges: Point out specific current assignments or special duties, such as recruiter, honor guard, or staff positions.
Marksmanship Badges: Display expert, sharpshooter, or marksman qualification with various weapons.
