Military badges for ABU's

[Okayish Aviator]

I've got to say, this problem to which I'm about to ask you is a good one to have. I've searched the forum the best I can for the answer before posting but to no avail...

My squadron has been growing pretty solidly, and we just obtained 4 new senior members, all of whom are former or current military. Here's the question:

Is there a place to get their badges that would go over the CAP tape (such as a cyberspace wings, missile, or other qualification badge) in the ABU color so they can wear them once we have all the paperwork on file in their records? I've not found a way to have Vanguard do it so I'm considering looking outward to other companies. Thanks all!

[Abby.L]

Have you called Vanguard? I could swear I saw some Senior Command Pilot wings in another thread that were supposedly made by Vanguard. If not, there may be a shop near a nearby military base(If you're lucky) that specializes in military nametages that might be able to get whatever they need embroidered. That's what I did. I had to source the fabric, but they did a good job with the embroidery and were fairly cheap.

[Jester]

https://www.nametags4u.com/product/?pid=1671

I got some of the first ones they did and the navy blue fabric isn't a perfect match but fairly close. I emailed them when the ABU nametapes finally came out from Vanguard and let them know. I'm sure others did too but I don't know if they changed their fabric.

I don't recommend the folded option. They aren't folded to standard. I had to redo mine.

The embroidery seems great.

Vanguard only offers AF pilot wings and jump wings in the silver on dark blue option. I asked if they'd make any other badges and they said they would have to see some demand for them.

[GaryVC]

I was able to get Master Navigator wings and an intel badge from Name Tags for You (see link above). I had them sewn on by one of the local places that does military alterations (near Nellis AFB NV) and they look great. I sent them some rank insignia I had received from Vanguard and I think they did a good job matching the color.

[HandsomeWalt_USMC]

If any of your seniors are prior Navy or USMC Aviation, Navy coverall insignia is a very close color match for the CAP dark blue tapes. You can get all USN warfare devices and wings in silver/gold on dark blue direct from vanguard, as well as some multi-service insignia (jump wings, EOD and such). I got Naval Aircrew wings gold on dark blue to put on my BDUs.

[unmlobo]

If you are okay with them in the Blue Fabric versus ABU Tan this site is a good one.  If you are looking for actual ABU breast badge insignia I would ask if people near bases would buy the item for you and send it.  Just my two cents.  Hope this helps.

https://www.nametags4u.com/civilairpatrol/

[SWChief]

......Vanguard only offers AF pilot wings and jump wings in the silver on dark blue option. I asked if they'd make any other badges and they said they would have to see some demand for them.

Former Seabee Here. I contacted Vanguard about getting a Seabee Combat Warfare badge in CAP colors.  They said they wouldn't do it unless I ordered 100 of them. Strike one Vanguard.
They also mentioned the coverall version colors wouldn't match.  Although I do think they look similar.
Anywhos, planning on calling 1800nametapes or nametags4u. just haven't gotten around to it.

[HandsomeWalt_USMC]

Chief, the coverall insignia is not an exact match, but very very close. I'll try to get a photo of the Aircrew wings I have on my BDUs for you.

Edit: hope this picture works!

[SWChief]

WOW...looks pretty close to me in the picture.

So, My question to you HandsomeWalt, Would you recommend the coverall version then for ABU's?

If so, I might just pick up mine at Vanguard and take the chance,  Probably going to do an order with them here shortly anyways, Worth a few bucks to try I guess. 

Thanks for posting up the pic.

[HandsomeWalt_USMC]

Yes, the tapes and insignia on my BDUS are the new style authorized for all utility uniforms in terms ABU change letter.

[SWChief]

Yes, the tapes and insignia on my BDUS are the new style authorized for all utility uniforms in terms ABU change letter.

Thanks! I will give it a go then!

[SARDOC]

Chief, the coverall insignia is not an exact match, but very very close. I'll try to get a photo of the Aircrew wings I have on my BDUs for you.

Edit: hope this picture works!

As a former Naval Aircrewman myself, I can't tell you how much I dig this.

Old Cadence Ditty: "I don't know but it's been said, Air Force Wings are made of lead" "You don't know what you've been told, Navy wings are made of gold"

[SarDragon]

 :clap:

[NIN]

Chief, the coverall insignia is not an exact match, but very very close. I'll try to get a photo of the Aircrew wings I have on my BDUs for you.

Edit: hope this picture works!

Daggone, that looks sharp.

[NIN]

If you are okay with them in the Blue Fabric versus ABU Tan this site is a good one.  If you are looking for actual ABU breast badge insignia I would ask if people near bases would buy the item for you and send it.  Just my two cents.  Hope this helps.

https://www.nametags4u.com/civilairpatrol/

I got crew wings from Williams & Williams, and their "dark blue" was lighter than Vanguard's (plus the fabric was a little odd..)

I also ordered crew wings from Spur on "midnight blue", and it was darker than Vanguard's (can't win!)

I wound up using the ones from Spur because its not obvious except in bright light.   I've been a huge fan of Spur for years.

A friend of mine wound up having his uniforms done here: https://www.kellac.com/h/Uniforms/  and they did his security forces badge in silver on dark blue and, according to him, it was "right on." I'd guess they'd have some of the other military badges that Vanguard doesn't.  Might be worth a call to them.

[jb512]

I concur with NIN. I ordered my mil badge from Spur (1800nametape.com) and after emailing them with the special request they were done and shipped in two days at $5.00 each, $3.50 for shipping.

[kwe1009]

I concur with NIN. I ordered my mil badge from Spur (1800nametape.com) and after emailing them with the special request they were done and shipped in two days at $5.00 each, $3.50 for shipping.

Agreed.  That is where I got mine from as well. 

[PHall]

I solved my military badges on ABU's by deciding to not wear them.
I wear only the mandatory insignia (name tape, branch tape, grade insignia, CAP wings).
Saved enough money for a couple 12 packs...

[Luis R. Ramos]

Ya sound ominous!

Just give your name, service number and rank...

Helloo! How are you doing?

[Eclipse]

I solved my military badges on ABU's by deciding to not wear them.
I wear only the mandatory insignia (name tape, branch tape, grade insignia, CAP wings).
Saved enough money for a couple 12 packs...

A couple?  Must be one of those high-end imports!

[PHall]

I solved my military badges on ABU's by deciding to not wear them.
I wear only the mandatory insignia (name tape, branch tape, grade insignia, CAP wings).
Saved enough money for a couple 12 packs...

A couple?  Must be one of those high-end imports!

Firestone-Walker 805.

[SarDragon]

That almost looks like Budweiser in special SeaWorld cans.

[jb512]

Update:

So I placed the order on the 11th and they arrived today on the 15th (from Spur) so excellent review on timeliness. The center seal is slightly off from mil-spec but not enough to be noticeable, and the material looks black instead of midnight blue. I am waiting until I receive my Vanguard patches to make a comparison.

[If someone can direct me on how to post a picture I will...]

[SarDragon]

Images must be hosted externally, and linked in.

[stabuma]

Ordered from https://nametags4u.com/civilairpatrol




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[stabuma]

Ordered from https://nametags4u.com/civilairpatrol



Forgot to mention that they will also embroider them on the navy blue background.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Eclipse]

Nice badges, but they look too far apart, might be the angle

[HandsomeWalt_USMC]

Ordered from https://nametags4u.com/civilairpatrol




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Outfrigginstanding! I don't know but it's been said, Air Force wings are made of lead. You don't know but now you're told, Naval wings are made of gold! :clap:

[Майор Хаткевич]

Didn't mil wings have to go on top of cap wings?

[SarDragon]

That, too.

NFO wings at that - Non-Functioning Officer. 

[stabuma]

Didn't mil wings have to go on top of cap wings?

Maj Hatkevich,

Good question. There seems to be some ambiguity in the 35-1 paragraph directly relating to military badges on the BDU/ACUs in regulation.  Para 5.1.1.3.6., which pertains to the BDU uniform, reads that military aviation badges should be worn in "the second position" without clarifying where, specifically, is the "second position".  Yet the same paragraph also reads that "Chaplain and CAP Aviation badges are mandatory and will always be worn in the highest position." 

However, for all other uniforms it is clearly spelled out. For example, the following paragraphs 4.1.1.3.4.1., 4.1.2.3.4.1., 4.1.5.4.4.1., 4.1.7.4.4.1., all state "If military aviation badge is worn, it will be worn below any CAP aviation badges."

So, in the absence of unambiguous guidance, I made the logical assumption that the placement on BDUs should match all other CAP uniforms.

Счастливой Пасхи!



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[stabuma]

That, too.

NFO wings at that - Non-Functioning Officer. 

I prefer "self loading baggage"


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[stabuma]

Nice badges, but they look too far apart, might be the angle

You're correct. They should be spaced 1/2 inch apart as measured from the emblem to emblem, not the blue edge to blue edge. I shall have them adjusted.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[SarDragon]

That, too.

NFO wings at that - Non-Functioning Officer. 

I sit corrected.

[NIN]

You're correct. They should be spaced 1/2 inch apart as measured from the emblem to emblem, not the blue edge to blue edge. I shall have them adjusted.

When done correctly, that is, the first badge's embroidery 1/2" from the *edge* of the nametape, and then the subsequent badge is 1/2" embroidery-to-embroidery, the open space between the badge's surrounding fabric will look "off".  The space between the first badge and the nametape will be wider than the space between the first and second badge.

I "cheat" my badges just a tiny bit to compensate (like 1/16" of an inch), either by leaving the first badge 100% correct and then moving the 2nd badge up a bit more to create a more equal space, or by cheating both badges, the first down a tiny bit and the 2nd up a tiny bit.  It looks "more correct" visually, and nobody is going to give you any business over 1/16" of an inch.

(Plus, it proves out my old adage "if it looks wrong, it is wrong."  The old way, I always had someone saying "Are your badges correct? They look off.." and then they whip out a ruler, whereas by adjusting it slightly, nobody's ever said anything but "Wow, looks great!" Then again, basically nobody whips out a ruler on me anymore, anyway, so maybe its a little confirmation bias there...LOL.)

   

[NIN]

Oh, but I did mean to say "That looks pretty boss regardless."