Webster’s Dictionary defines uniform as n: clothing of a distinctive or fashionable design worn by members of a particular group and serving as a means of identification. Insignia is defined as a badge of honor authority and an emblem as a distinctive mark or sign. Wikipedia’s definition also verifies: “Insignia (plural of Latin insigne: emblem, symbol) is a symbol or sign of personal power, status, or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction. Badges are used especially as an emblem of a specific or general authority.
In most applications today, groups that are organized to protect something or someone wear uniforms and shoulder sleeve patches. This would include military, law enforcement units eg police, sheriffs, state police, government security organizations, government civilian police units eg Homeland Security, park rangers, and private security units to name a few. The various military patches available to an authorized person to wear on their dress uniforms will tell the full story of that person’s service.
The concepts behind uniform patches have a well-documented history dating back over 5,000 years to China and Egypt. The effectiveness of visual impact is well known and has many reasons to be firmly established in modern implementation. Whether it is a casual information contact or a possible hostile action, the identity of a person in authority must be established quickly and unequivocally. Badges on an appropriate uniform do this quickly and efficiently.
Certain custom-made patches in the US are even authorized for use on the civilian clothing of veterans and retired veterans. It would include pins, medals, and ribbons earned while in the service of their country and when worn for certain occasions related to military duties. This use of uniform emblems and other insignia can follow a person to the grave. It is very common for a fallen comrade, especially in military and police units, to be honored on his death by being buried in uniform.
The multi-color variety of uniform emblems and rank emblems and insignia make it easy to differentiate one officer from another by the uniform and the insignia placed upon it. This has been a standard for American uniforms since the beginning of the American Revolution.
The need for a uniform identity in a hostile environment merits different considerations. This also generates some identity conflicts. One has to be specifically identified, protected from bodily harm, and at the same time not seen. These conflicting needs have spawned some novel solutions.
Saunders’ vast inventory of military insignia appeals to individuals who are serving or have served in various military units, military insignia collectors who love the armed forces and the beauty of the uniforms and the various insignia they represent. We have assisted collectors of US military insignia in over 30 different countries and have supplied US unit museums and enacters in several countries with the items they need to further their programs. We have done many custom patches including badges for law enforcement. We’ve even provided several movies with the appropriate US Army insignia that represents the time period of the movie’s history.
