When you think of a military uniform, you likely imagine them adorned with colorful patches. Military patches are a well-known and staple component of uniforms across the world — but where exactly did they come from, and why did soldiers begin wearing them in the first place? To learn more about shoulder sleeve insignias and other military patches, here's an overview of their history and why they're worn today.
Where Did Military Shoulder Patches Come From?
Since the time of the Roman Empire, military forces have adorned themselves with a variety of badges and insignia. These insignia were worn for many reasons throughout the ages, such as to show off accomplishments and promotions. However, perhaps the most important reason why military uniforms had patches was for identification. By looking at the patch on a soldier's uniform, one was able to learn which rank and division they belonged in. The modern iteration of uniform patches came from the British Army in the 1800s, and Americans would soon incorporate the practice into their military tradition as well.
Military Patches in the Civil War
The American Civil War in 1861 marked the official use of army unit patches in the United States. Before this time, the main method of identifying a soldier was through their uniform. With the help of a military patch, the rank and experience of a soldier could be more easily determined at a glance. However, these weren't the only uniform patches worn during the Civil War. As the army grew bigger and its uniforms became more standardized, soldiers sewed on their own unique embroidered patches. These special Civil War patches were handmade by soldiers' family members and loved ones back home.
Uniform Patches Grow More Common During the World Wars
The introduction of new machinery during the Industrial Revolution forever changed how military patches were made — and how many are made. Thanks to more advanced embroidery machines, far more patches could be made at a much lower cost. This made machine-embroidered patches common during the first World War and eventually a regular part of United States military uniforms.
After the United States entered the war in 1917, the 81st Infantry Division of the Army designed and made the very first shoulder sleeve insignia. The insignia depicted a wildcat with an olive drab background in reference to the WildCat Creek next to Fort Jackson, where the 81st Division trained. However, while an officer first challenged the patch — believing it was unbecoming of the uniform — General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing disagreed. He thought it was a good idea and ordered other units to have their own unique patch.
And so, the shoulder sleeve insignia was born. Wearing these distinctive patches spread throughout the US Army and by World War II, all army groups donned their own unique shoulder sleeve insignia. As the years passed and they became standard, the insignias became more colorful and their designs grew more detailed. Their uniqueness is loved by both the soldiers who wear them and the collectors who gather them for fun.
If you're searching for professionally-made shoulder sleeve insignias, reach out to RAMA World today. We offer a wide variety of patches and designs, including Task Force 69 patches, 427 Special Operations Squadron patches, and many more. For more information on our combat patches and other products, call RAMA World today!