In essence, morale
patches are ornamental military insignia that often feature imagery and
expressions. They playfully symbolize morale — or esprit de corps — which is a group's ability to believe in the
objective or intuition that binds them together in spite of adversity. Morale
patches are found on gear, garments, and patch boards. Here, we'll dive into
Where Did Morale Patches Come From?
The history of morale patches is closely tied to military and law enforcement. Some experts consider the blood chit, issued by President George Washington in 1793, to be the very first morale patch.
During the Civil War,
soldiers wore patches — made by friends and family on the homefront — to
identify themselves. The embroidery was done by hand, meaning each patch was made
individually. This period predates the invention of sewing or embroidery
machines, rendering it impossible to mass-produce military morale patches.
The Early 20th Century
Morale patches have been around since at least the early 20th century, even before World War I. British soldiers would wear distinct designs to identify allies and the unit, such as a division, they belonged to. However, military morale patches weren't prevalent on U.S. uniforms until after World War I. By that time, the development of technology made the standardized production of morale patches possible. The inexpensive, efficient rollout meant patches could be used on a great scale. During World War I, the patch was approved to be worn by the 81st Division Wildcats to build morale and identify the division. Shortly thereafter, morale patches spread to other divisions after an order by General Pershing.
In the early to
mid-1900s, World War II navy pilots created their own morale patches that
featured art from the noses of their plans. Eventually, ground soldiers created
and wore their own patches as well. Some two decades later, morale patches were
a normalized part of military uniforms.
Patch Trading
Shortly after their
introduction, soldiers customized morale patches to show off their
personalities and indicate their loyalty to a brigade — a practice that led to
patch trading. While it began with soldiers trading their patches, it
eventually spread to civilians. Law enforcement agencies started creating their
own morale patches, too, leading both law enforcement and the armed services to
appear more approachable to the general public. From thrift stores to flea
markets and beyond, you can still find morale patches in circulation, as they
have become incredibly popular collector's items.
Modern Morale Patches
Morale patches' use can vary between divisions, with some being stricter on uniform regulations. Most modern uniforms include Velcro on backpacks, bags, and hats, which allow for easy application and removal of morale patches. Today, morale patches have an even wider array of uses they were originally designed for; you can find patches with medical information, inspirational quotes, meaningful symbolism, and beyond. These can be used to create solidarity with fellow soldiers while showcasing a soldiers' unique personality. In addition to being carried by military personnel, patches are popular among others who protect our country, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical teams. Even canine units sport morale patches.
Morale patches are available in a wide variety of styles. While embroidered are among the most common, woven and dye sublimation patches are also available.
Are you ready to take
part in the future of morale patches? Turn to RAMA World — your premier
resource for military items. For more information about everything from patches and Air Force leather name tags to bag tags and
beyond, contact us today.