Which of the following is NOT an authorized item on a patrol cap?

The item that is not authorized on a patrol cap is decorative pins. In military regulations, the patrol cap is designed to maintain a uniform appearance and uphold standards of discipline and professionalism. Authorized items include the name tag, unit insignia, and rank insignia, as these elements clearly communicate the soldier's identity, affiliation, and rank within the military structure. Decorative pins, on the other hand, do not serve an official purpose or convey necessary information and can detract from the cap’s intended simplicity and military integrity. Therefore, maintaining the authorized decorations ensures that the focus remains on the essential elements of military identification and unit cohesion.