Military Patches

Each branch of the military has various patches for soldiers to wear to show which division or squad they belong to. Each soldier also wears patches for personal identification and to show which country they fight for.

During the Civil War, soldiers would wear patches that denoted their rank, but any kind of squad or unit identification was limited to a badge or pin. In World War I, soldiers began wearing military patches that designated their unit or squadron. The practice rose in popularity throughout the war until General Pershing ordered all divisions wear a patch. The patches then became official and each division had its own unique logo. The oldest surviving patch is the patch for the 1st Infantry Division of the Army, which features the "Big Red One" on a forest green background. The division still wears the same design to this day.

By World War II, all divisions had their own distinct patch, and squads or units in these divisions would have a variation of the design to further stand out. Designs could sometimes be similar or have similar colors, with the only difference being the number featured on the patch corresponded to the number of the unit. Designs were usually either a type of mascot or a vehicle or weapon that the division used often, although some designs were more basic. The 8th Air Force division, for example, features the number 8 with wings.

In current times, soldiers still wear military patches, and the designs are as varied as ever. The colors of patches are usually more subdued than in the past, due to not wanting to have bright colors on the battlefield that can clash with a soldier's camouflage. Modern soldiers even wear a special infrared flag patch which to the naked eye appears to be a dark color, but in night vision shows up with bright colors to help differentiate between friend and foe.

Military patches are also hot items for collectors. Patches that were actually worn by a soldier in combat are always the most popular among collectors. Many collectors will trade patches they may have extras of with other collectors to help build their collection. Collectors don't focus solely on the United States military either. A number of collectors focus on patches from foreign countries, especially if the country was a former ally or enemy in a past war.

At WholesalePatches.com we pride ourselves in being a top supplier of military patches. Our dedicated team of graphic artists are experts at replicating any of the official military patch designs. You can also design something completely new that's in the style of your favorite military patch here! Quotes for your patch ideas are always free, and if a design isn't exactly what you wanted the first time, revisions are always free as well. Contact us at 1-866-720-7467 or fill out our free quote form today!