A shoulder-pad system includes various components, including a set of shoulder pads that comprises a right-shoulder pad assembly, a left-shoulder pad assembly, an anterior plate, and a posterior plate. Each shoulder-pad assembly may include an epaulette and a discrete shoulder sleeve that is releasably attachable to the epaulette. The discrete shoulder sleeve may further include an epaulette attachment mechanism that releasable attaches the discrete shoulder sleeve to the epaulette when the epaulette is positioned within the cavity.