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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

A shoulder mark, also called a rank slide or slip-on, is a flat cloth sleeve worn on the shoulder strap of a uniform.[1] It may bear rank or other insignia. A shoulder mark should not be confused with a shoulder board (an elaborate shoulder strap), a shoulder knot (a braided type of shoulder board), or an epaulette, although these terms are often used interchangeably.

Australia

[edit]

The newer Auscam uniform design lacks shoulder marks, instead opting for a vertical strap in the middle of the chest region of the uniform. Rank insignia tags are slipped onto this strap. Unlike the older uniform designs, there are slip-ons for every rank in the Australian Defence Force.[citation needed]

The older Auscam uniform designs featured shoulder straps, upon which slip-on rank insignia of Commissioned Officers could be affixed, and non-commissioned officers in the Air Force and Navy only. No shoulder-strap slip-ons are available for enlisted members of the army, whereas the other two services had appropriate slip ons, who have rank patches sewed onto the uniform arms. This older design is no longer issued, but may still be seen on personnel whose most recent uniform issue pre-dates the use of the new design.[citation needed]

Canada

[edit]
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.

In the Canadian Forces, slip-ons displaying rank insignia and shoulder titles are worn on the shoulder straps of the No. 3 Service Dress shirt, overcoat, raincoat, and sweater; CANEX parka and windbreaker; Naval Combat Dress jacket and shirt; flying suits and flying jackets; and Military Police Operational Patrol Dress shirt and jacket. The slip-ons are worn on a similar-style strap located in the centre of the chest (and sometimes centre of the back as well) of the CADPAT shirt, jacket, parka, and raincoat. Slip-ons are not worn on the Service Dress jacket, or with Mess Dress.

Canadian Forces slip-ons[2]
Uniform Base fabric Officers' rank insignia Non-commissioned members' rank insignia Shoulder titles
Navy Service Dress Navy Blue (which is a tone of black) [3] Rows of gold rank braid Embroidered in "CF Gold" thread "CANADA", embroidered in "CF Gold" thread, only for NCMs. Officers have "CANADA" marks as shoulder flashes.
Army Service Dress Rifle green Embroidered in full colour, including branch-specific backing colour None (rank insignia are worn on enameled pins on lapels or collar points) Regimental or branch title, or the word "CANADA", in "CF gold" cotton thread
Air Force Service Dress Air Force blue Rows of "pearl grey" (silver) and black rank braid Embroidered in "pearl grey" (silver) thread "CANADA", embroidered in "pearl grey" (silver) thread
Naval Combat Dress and Naval Enhanced Combat Uniform - not a slip-on for NECU, but velcro-backed patch Navy Blue Rows of gold rank braid Embroidered in "CF Gold" thread "CANADA", embroidered in "CF Gold" thread
Navy CADPAT TW (Temperate Woodland) Olive green Embroidered in black thread Embroidered in black thread "CANADA", embroidered in black thread
Army CADPAT TW CADPAT TW Embroidered in "high visibility" silver thread Embroidered in "high visibility" silver thread "CANADA" or an applicable branch, regimental, or air unit title embroidered in "high visibility" silver thread
Air Force CADPAT TW and flying suit Olive green Embroidered in blue thread Embroidered in blue thread "CANADA" or an applicable branch, regimental, or air unit title embroidered in blue thread
Navy, Army, and Air Force CADPAT AR (Arid Region) CADPAT AR Embroidered in tan thread Embroidered in tan thread "CANADA" or an applicable branch, regimental, or air unit title embroidered in tan thread
Former uniforms
Olive green combat uniform (replaced by CADPAT in the early 2000s) Olive green Embroidered in light olive green thread Embroidered in light olive green thread[a] "CANADA" or an applicable branch, regimental, or air unit title embroidered in light olive green thread
Air Force Service Dress prior to 2015 Air Force blue Rows of gold rank braid Embroidered in "Old Gold" thread (darker in colour than "CF Gold") "CANADA", embroidered in "CF Gold" thread

United States

[edit]
Firm shoulder board, with two small white loops on the shirt for fixing
Blue Service Uniform with shoulder strap rank resp. shoulder board insignia, as worn by General George W. Casey, Jr.

Military

[edit]

Based on the shoulder boards used by the United States Navy, the United States Army and United States Air Force developed the shoulder mark, a cloth tube with embroidered or pinned rank insignia. The United States Space Force adopted the USAF version when the Space Force was established as a separate service in 2019.

Army officer shoulder marks are colored depending on the branch with which the officer is affiliated. They have an 1⁄8-inch (3.2 mm) gold stripe below the embroidered grade insignia (the end far from the collar).

In the Air Force and Space Force, a similar stripe is limited to senior officers (majors and above). Air Force general officers have an additional stripe at the near end. Enlisted and junior officer (also known as company grade officer) shoulder marks lack these distinctions. These are worn on all class B uniform shirts.

U.S. Navy officers wear shoulder boards on Summer White, Service Dress White, Full Dress White and Dinner Dress White uniforms, and wool overcoats and reefers. "Soft shoulder boards" (shoulder marks) are worn on long sleeve white shirts and on black sweaters worn with Service Khaki or Service Dress Blue uniforms.

U.S. Coast Guard officers wear Naval style shoulderboards on all class B uniform shirts. Service dress uniforms in the U.S. air and land forces also have a different style of shoulder board, a firm material with an underlying longitudinal strap. The corresponding jacket shoulder has two small loops traversing from rear to front, and the open end of the shoulder board's strap is drawn through the two loops and affixed to the underside of the board. This effectively hides all the means of attachments, leaving a firm, finished surface. This particular style is what U.S. Air Force personnel call a shoulder board. The shoulder sleeve is called an epaulette, and the two are never confused.

On the United States Army Blue Service Uniform, officers wear embroidered rank insignia "shoulder straps" (attentes[citation needed]) mounted lengthwise on the outside shoulder seams. These are 1+5⁄8 inches (41 mm) wide by 4 inches (100 mm)/3+1⁄2 inches (89 mm) (large size/small size) long, and are sewn, snapped, or clipped onto each shoulder.[4]

Boy Scouts of America

[edit]

The Boy Scouts of America uses colored shoulder loops worn on the shoulder straps to indicate the program level. Webelos Scouts wearing tan uniforms and all Cub Scout leaders wear blue loops, Boy Scouts and leaders wear forest green loops (changed from red in 2008),[5] Varsity Scouts and leaders wear blaze (orange) loops, and Venturers and leaders wear emerald green loops.[6] Adults who hold a district or council position wear silver loops; those with section, area, regional, or national positions wear gold loops, and those with international positions wear purple loops. The only youth permitted to wear gold loops are the National Chief, National Vice chief, and Region Chiefs of the Order of the Arrow.

United Kingdom

[edit]
British Lord-lieutenant with braided shoulder boards i.e. shoulder knots

Military

[edit]
See also: Uniforms of the British Armed Forces

Rank slides are used by all of the UK Armed Forces, primarily on working dress uniforms. Similar rank slides are also worn on a single tab/strap on the chest of operational (Multi-Terrain Pattern) clothing.

Royal Navy

[edit]

Shoulder boards are worn by officers on tropical dress uniform, bearing the same insignia carried on the cuffs of the dress uniform. A slide worn on the chest indicates rank for all RN personnel in Action Working Dress (No.4 dress).[7]

Army

[edit]

In the British Army, shoulder straps are worn with dress and service uniforms. In combat dress, however, rank insignia is displayed on 'rank slides' worn on the chest.

Royal Air Force

[edit]

In the Royal Air Force, rank slides are worn by all ranks (except Aircraftman, which has no insignia) on the shoulders of working dress uniforms, and also on flying clothing and overalls.

St. John Ambulance

[edit]

As a ranked organisation, members of St. John Ambulance wear rank slides on all uniforms. Colours are used to differentiate between different health care professionals (e.g., green for paramedics, red for doctors).

Police

[edit]
See also: Police uniforms and equipment in the United Kingdom § Uniform

The uniforms of most police forces in the United Kingdom feature rank slides. At ranks below Inspector, the collar number is also displayed on the shoulder, although some Inspectors and above are starting to display their collar number alongside their rank insignia. The most notable exception to this is Kent Police, whose officers display their collar number on the stab vest instead of the rank slides.

Public order officers' shoulder slides are often colour-coded according to their role:

  • Silver commander – Grey
  • Bronze commander – Yellow
  • PSU commander – Red
  • PSU sergeant – White
  • Medic – Green
  • Tactical advisor – Royal blue
  • Evidence gatherer – Orange[8]

HM Prison Service

[edit]

The uniform of public sector prison officers and OSG's[clarification needed] in England & Wales feature shoulder slides on their uniform indicating rank, unique identification number and specialist role.

Specialist role identifiers include:

  • DH – Dog Handler
  • W – Works Officer
  • H – Healthcare Officer

Lords-lieutenant

[edit]

The uniform of lord-lieutenant as the head of a lieutenancy area shows many military features. Their ranks, and those of their deputies (vice lord-lieutenant, deputy lieutenant) are indicated by braided shoulder boards resp. shoulder knots.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Shoulder mark

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A shoulder mark is an of grade worn on the shoulder loops or straps of uniforms to denote rank, typically consisting of a flat cloth or embroidered device that slides onto or attaches to the uniform's shoulder area. Shoulder marks are used in militaries worldwide, with designs and terminology varying by and ; for example, in the United States Army, they are specified for uniforms such as the (ASU) and Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU), featuring a heritage green base with a silver stripe below the grade for officers on the AGSU, while enlisted versions display grade on heritage green loops. Similar devices are employed across U.S. branches and internationally to indicate and roles. , soft shoulder boards are worn on epauletted shirts with service dress uniforms, bearing combination for grade and . The mandates placement of shoulder mark as close to the shoulder seam as possible on uniforms (as of 2025). These markings, available in sizes such as 4-1/4 inches and 3-1/4 inches long, attach via hook-and-loop fasteners or buttons. Beyond denoting rank, shoulder marks may include unit affiliations or special designations, especially for retirees or ceremonial use, reflecting military tradition. For instance, retired U.S. Army personnel wear modified on the AGSU. Specific implementations vary by nation and uniform type, as outlined in later sections.

Overview and History

Definition and Purpose

A shoulder mark, also known as a shoulder slide, slip-on, or rank slide, is a flat cloth sleeve or detachable worn on the shoulder strap of a or uniformed service to display rank, unit affiliation, or other identifying symbols. It functions primarily to indicate and role within an organization, allowing for quick visual recognition among personnel without the need for more rigid structures like traditional shoulder boards. This design makes it particularly suitable for lightweight or informal uniforms, such as shirts, sweaters, or service dress, where flexibility and ease of attachment are essential. The primary purpose of shoulder marks is to denote authority, branch of service, or regimental identity, promoting discipline and by clarifying command structures in diverse settings. Unlike embroidered patches sewn directly onto fabric, shoulder marks can be easily removed or replaced, accommodating changes in assignment or uniform type while maintaining a professional appearance. They are commonly used in military contexts to signify or enlisted ranks through symbols like chevrons, stars, or crowns, and extend to for similar affiliation purposes. Shoulder marks are typically constructed from embroidered cloth in colors matching the uniform, such as khaki, blue, or olive green. Designs feature rectangular or tubular shapes that slide over epaulette loops or straps, secured by buttons or friction fit, with elements like gold or silver wire embroidery or fabric loops for added distinction. Branch-specific variations include gold borders or piping for officers and regimental colors, such as scarlet backings or purple edging, to highlight specialized roles. Originating from naval traditions in the , where flexible shoulder pieces evolved from protective knots to rank indicators, shoulder marks have been broadly adopted across military and civilian for their practicality and symbolic value.

Historical Development

Shoulder marks trace their origins to the , when European coats featured bunches of ribbons on the shoulders to protect against strikes and secure shoulder straps from slipping. By the , these evolved into epaulettes in the , where the number, size, and arrangement of fringes indicated rank, with a single epaulette on the right shoulder for subalterns and pairs for higher grades. This system influenced British and other European forces, spreading through colonial armies and ; in the , rigid shoulder boards began replacing fringed epaulettes for practicality on naval uniforms, while armies retained flexible versions for dress coats. In the early , the pioneered modern adaptations by adopting metal pin-on rank insignia in 1941, worn on shirt collars for uniforms, enabling easier attachment without altering garments. This led to cloth versions for shirts, providing a lightweight alternative to rigid boards while maintaining visibility. The U.S. Army followed suit, transitioning from embroidered shoulder straps to pin-on devices in the early 1900s, but retained cloth elements for field wear during . Post-World War II, the U.S. Army and newly independent Air Force developed cloth tube shoulder marks for combat and service uniforms, sliding over shoulder straps to display embroidered rank without metal for reduced weight and noise in operations. This design, inspired by innovations, emphasized versatility and influenced nations like and the , where similar fabric slip-ons replaced metal boards on battle dress. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, shoulder marks shifted toward removable fabric slip-ons with hook-and-loop () attachments in the –, allowing quick changes between field and dress contexts; the U.S. Army integrated them into digital patterns with the 2004 uniform for seamless blending in diverse environments. These evolutions prioritized functionality amid mechanized warfare.

Usage by Country

Australia

In the Australian Defence Force (ADF), shoulder marks are primarily utilized on service dress uniforms across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, where commissioned officers attach slip-on rank insignia to shoulder straps or epaulettes. These slip-ons feature embroidered rank symbols, often with a metal or embroidered "AUSTRALIA" title beneath, mirroring British-influenced patterns adapted for local use. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and warrant officers similarly employ shoulder slides on service dress, positioned on epaulettes or straps, while airmen and sailors use soft rank insignia on shoulders for formal wear. For operational and combat uniforms, such as the Australian Multicam Camouflage Uniform (AMCU) introduced in 2014 to replace the earlier (DPCU), all ranks across services have shifted to hook-and-loop attached rank patches, typically placed on the chest or right sleeve to minimize snag hazards in field environments. These AMCU-compatible patches include embroidered ranks in black thread on a or background, with an "" band, and multi-terrain variants for enhanced operational concealment. Pre-2014 DPCU uniforms retained traditional shoulder strap placements for officers and sleeve chevrons for NCOs, but the transition to modular hook-and-loop systems improved practicality and uniformity across the ADF. Outside the military, shoulder marks see limited application in the Australian Scout movement, where patrol leaders wear striped scarf slides—often navy blue and white—as leadership , occasionally adapted to shoulder positions on section for identification during activities. In September 2024, unveiled a nanofibre designed to enhance protection for soldiers, potentially influencing future ADF combat clothing systems with advanced features like nanofibre protective layers.

Canada

In the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), shoulder marks, also known as rank slip-ons or slides, are flat cloth sleeves worn on the shoulder straps of various uniforms to display rank insignia, environmental identity, and national or unit titles. These slip-ons are designed for compatibility across orders of dress from No. 1 (ceremonial) to No. 5 (operational), with materials including doeskin cloth, , and embroidered elements for durability and visibility. Following the 2015 restoration of environmental uniforms, rank slip-ons were unified in structure across services but differentiated by branch-specific colors and designs to reflect pre-unification traditions while maintaining NATO-compatible rank symbols. For the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), shoulder marks consist of blue slip-ons worn on white mess dress or uniforms, featuring embroidery for officers' rank pips (small roundels) and executive curls, while non-commissioned members (NCMs) use black or subdued thread for stripes on operational variants. Flag officers incorporate lace on doeskin shoulder boards measuring 13.5 cm by 5.5 cm, with the emblem pointing rearward. These are applied to No. 1C/D through No. 3 orders of dress, including shirts, sweaters, and outerwear. The Canadian Army employs olive green or rifle green slip-ons on service dress, overlaid with (Canadian Disruptive Pattern) camouflage for operational clothing, displaying NATO-style ranks such as embroidered pips, bars, and crowns for officers, and chevrons for NCMs. Warrant officers feature unique cloth distinction marks, including specialized embroidered badges like the warrant officer class insignia on green-based slip-ons with "" or approved unit titles at the base. These are centered on epaulettes for No. 1B to dress, with metal pins optional for senior ranks. In the Royal Canadian (RCAF), blue slip-ons (midnight or Oxford blue) are used on uniforms, with pearl-grey edged in black or gold for officers on formal orders of dress; pilots and often incorporate wedge-shaped embroidered elements for flying classification alongside standard rank pips and stripes. NCM ranks use thread on bases for visibility. Slip-ons are worn on removable boards for No. 1C/D to No. 3 dress, including sweaters and parkas. General features of CAF shoulder marks include bilingual inscriptions, where English/French unit or national titles (e.g., ""/" or bilingual regimental identifiers) are selected based on unit language profile or personal choice in bilingual environments, embroidered in gold or environmental thread at the slip-on base. This reflects the CAF's official bilingual status and is applied across all branches for No. 1 to No. 5 dress. Post-2015, the unified rank slide framework standardized embroidery techniques and interoperability while preserving branch colors, reducing procurement variations. Civilian extensions appear in youth programs, where the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and wear simplified versions of branch-specific slip-ons—navy blue for sea cadets and Oxford blue for air cadets—with basic rank stripes or pips on shirts and parkas, mirroring CAF designs but scaled for training uniforms. These promote discipline and familiarity with military structure without full operational elements. As of 2025, enhancements to MT (Multi-Terrain) integration on shoulder slip-ons support arctic operations through specialized variants, featuring subdued on white or low-visibility bases for cold-weather parkas and overgarments, improving concealment in snow-covered environments while maintaining rank visibility. This builds on the 2024 Multi-Terrain (MT) rollout for broader operational adaptability.

United States

In the United States, shoulder marks serve as rank and organizational insignia on military uniforms and scouting attire, emphasizing practicality for combat and service roles. The U.S. Army and Air Force utilize cloth shoulder marks that slide over shoulder loops on shirts and sweaters for service uniforms. In the Army, these marks for officers on the Army Service Uniform (ASU) are black fabric with a 1/8-inch yellow stripe positioned below the embroidered grade insignia, distinguishing them from enlisted versions that lack the stripe. For the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU), officer shoulder marks are heritage green fabric (color 564) with a 1/8-inch silver stripe below the insignia, reflecting the uniform's historical "pinks and greens" design revived in 2018 as the primary service uniform by 2020. Enlisted personnel wear similar marks without stripes, centered 5/8 inch from the shoulder seam. In the Air Force, shoulder marks for service dress and mess uniforms are blue fabric with embroidered silver or gold rank insignia, worn on epaulets close to the shoulder seam; no additional branch-specific stripe is specified beyond the uniform's ultramarine blue heritage. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps employ flexible soft boards as slip-ons for service and working , adapting rigid hard boards for everyday wear while maintaining rank visibility. These soft boards feature embroidered or metal rank devices on a fabric base matching the uniform color, such as or , and are secured via hook-and-loop or buttons on shoulder loops. Metal collar pins serve as alternatives on collared shirts for these branches, particularly in working uniforms where full shoulder boards may be impractical, ensuring quick identification without bulky attachments. For combat-oriented uniforms like the Army's (OCP) and former (ACU), shoulder marks integrate via hook-and-loop patches on Velcro-backed shoulder pockets, allowing rapid attachment of subdued rank insignia for tactical utility. Historically, shoulder marks evolved in the 1940s during when the U.S. Army shifted from rigid epaulettes to cloth-based designs and loops on field jackets like the M1941 for enhanced practicality in combat, reducing snag risks and enabling pinned or slipped . This design influenced modern integrations, with recent changes as of 2025 including the full adoption of embroidered slip-on shoulder marks on the revived AGSU, featuring detailed branch-colored embroidery for officers to align with the uniform's heritage aesthetic. In the Boy Scouts of America (now Scouting America), shoulder loops are colored fabric epaulets worn on uniform shirts to denote program levels and roles. loops identify Boy Scouts () participants and leaders, while blaze orange loops signify Varsity Scouts; these loops slide over shoulder seams and may display position-of-responsibility badges or pins for roles like patrol leader. Red loops, once standard for Boy Scouts until 2008, remain authorized but are largely phased out in favor of green to match updated uniform standards.

United Kingdom

In the , shoulder marks, also known as epaulettes or slip-ons, are integral to uniforms across branches and civilian , featuring color-coded designs to denote rank, branch, and role while adhering to standards for interoperability. In the Royal Navy, officers wear white or slip-ons on mess dress uniforms, incorporating an —a looped lace—for commanders and above to signify executive branch roles, while ratings use blue slip-ons with embroidered anchors or crowns for rank indication on working and ceremonial attire. The employs green slip-ons on No. 2 service dress, featuring pips (stars) and bars in gold or bronze for officers to indicate rank, with regimental distinctions provided through colored cloth backing such as crimson for the or black for . officers utilize blue slip-ons embroidered with eagle motifs facing rearward to denote commissioned status, while wartime adaptations incorporated these on (DPM) camouflage for field uniforms during conflicts like the . Beyond the armed forces, various civilian organizations adopt shoulder marks for role identification: uses red epaulettes with white rank bars or Maltese crosses; police forces employ grey epaulettes bearing silver rank chevrons and numerical collar identifiers; features purple epaulettes for operational officers with crown and bar motifs; and Lords-Lieutenant wear ceremonial gold-embroidered shoulder boards with rose emblems on formal attire. UK shoulder mark designs align with NATO-harmonized rank structures for cross-alliance recognition, and since 2010, (MTP) uniforms have incorporated attachments for modular slip-ons to facilitate quick changes in operational environments. As of 2025, shoulder marks integrate with the updated Personal Equipment System (PES), including the platform, enabling secure -mounted rank displays on field gear for enhanced visibility and modularity during deployments. These UK-specific applications have influenced shoulder mark conventions in Commonwealth nations, such as standardized slip-on formats in and .

Other Nations

In , shoulder marks in the (NZDF) follow patterns similar to those in and the , utilizing slip-on rank badges on uniforms to denote hierarchy and branch affiliation. These include black shoulder slides for combat and service dress, often featuring the emblem as a national alongside rank pips or bars. The design emphasizes practicality for operational environments, with attachments on multi-terrain uniforms to facilitate quick adjustments during deployments. The employs cloth shoulder tabs on combat uniforms, retaining British colonial influences while incorporating the as a central to symbolize national and . These tabs, typically in olive green or digital patterns introduced post-2020, display ranks through stars, crossed swords, or the lion surmounted by a for officers, sewn or hooked onto shoulders for visibility in field conditions. This adaptation balances tradition with modern , ensuring remain secure during maneuvers. In European militaries, variations include France's use of reinforced shoulder tabs on legacy F1 uniforms, styled for compatibility with the kepler headdress in airborne and legion units, featuring embroidered ranks in subdued colors for operational discretion. Germany's integrates epaulettes with Velcro-attached ranks on camouflage, allowing modular placement of stars and bars on field jackets to enhance in exercises. These designs prioritize rapid reconfiguration over rigid sewing, reflecting post-Cold War standardization. Non-Western forces exhibit distinct adaptations, such as Russia's shoulder straps on field uniforms, which use metallic stars and branch-specific piping in VDV camouflage to indicate ranks from private to general, evolving from Soviet-era boards for tactical visibility. In , the (PLA) utilizes cloth shoulder marks on uniforms, incorporating branch symbols like crossed rifles for ground forces or anchors for alongside loop and bar ranks, designed for digital woodland patterns in joint operations. Adoption of shoulder marks remains limited in non-Commonwealth militaries, where chest badges or arm patches often supplant them for reduced profile in , though emerging uses appear in UN contingents to denote national contributions under blue berets. As of 2025, global trends favor modular, Velcro-based shoulder for enhanced , enabling swift attachment in multinational coalitions while minimizing weight and snag risks.

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  49. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/pla-uniforms.htm
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQWPGzJTY-E
  51. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/global-military-badges-market-trends-analysis-future-growth-izmve
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