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Military Patches, Badges and Insignia: How to Identify Them
A practical guide to military patches, badges and insignia: the main categories, an identification routine, reproductions and how to preserve them.
Medals, Badges and Insignia
Patches and Insignia
Division patches, chevrons, marksmanship badges, lapel pins and shoulder boards, and how to date a patch by its construction.
Epaulettes and Shoulder Boards on Military Uniforms
Learn what epaulettes, shoulder boards, shoulder straps and aiguillettes are, how they differ, and how to identify the shoulder pieces on military uniforms.
How do morale patches work?
Learn how morale patches work, why they are unofficial, where they may be worn, how they attach, and how collectors judge a vintage morale patch.
How to Date a Military Patch by Its Backing and Stitching
Learn how to date a military patch from its backing, stitching, edge finish, materials and wear, and which clues on reproductions can mislead you.
How to get marksmanship badge in the Army?
Find out how soldiers earn the Army marksmanship badge, what the Marksman, Sharpshooter and Expert levels mean, and how re-qualification works.
Military Lapel Pin Identification
Learn how to identify a military lapel pin from its design, back, maker's marks and construction, plus where it is worn and how to store it safely.
US Army Chevrons: What Each Enlisted Rank Insignia Means
Learn how US Army chevrons show enlisted rank, how to read a sleeve insignia on a uniform, and how the system changed from WWII to later eras.
US Marksmanship Badges and Obsolete Military Badges
Learn how US Army and Marine Corps marksmanship badges work, what their clasps mean, and how to tell obsolete badges from today's designs.
What are different types of patches?
Learn the main types of patches, including embroidered, woven, PVC, printed and bullion, and how their backings show a patch's use and period.
WWII US Army Division Patches: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Meanings
Learn what WWII US Army division patches, or shoulder sleeve insignia, mean, how they were worn, and how to read their numerals, symbols and nicknames.
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