[3] During the Korean War General J. Lawton Collins, Chief of Staff for the Army, asked a group of advisers what could be done to enhance the morale of the fighting Infantryman.

A light-blue cord was created to be worn on the right shoulder of both infantry trained officers and enlisted men.

The infantry blue cord is presented to all infantry-qualified soldiers in the U.S. Army at the end of their Advanced Individual Training.

All other recruits first attend a 9-week basic combat training (BCT) course before moving on to their AIT in which they will have a similar ceremony.

Graduates of the Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course (formerly IOBC) must complete their two-week-long final FTX with a 16-mile tactical road march and a mock company attack.