Flight Suit Question

[2d Lt Lee Ashley]

I am fighting a real mental block tonight!

I am trying to get my flight suit ready for wear and I am having trouble remembering the name for the black square name plate and where to find them. 

2d Lt Lee Ashley

[Eclipse]

Its called a flightbadge.

Vanguard would be the primary source, but there are others - Google is your friend.

[MSgt Van]

http://www.flightbadge.com/cap.htm#Black

[Hawk200]

39-1 refers to it as a leather name patch. They're also referred to as Leather Nameplates, Aircrew Style Name Plate (ASNP), and leather nametags. There's probably a few other things they're referred to, but those are probably the most common.

[a2capt]

I need to figure out where the nicer looking ones that have really decent stitching around the borders, nice consistent imprinting and are not so glossy you can use it as a signal mirror .. Even paying for Vanguard's "premium" one, thats what I got and the printing wore off within months.

[SarDragon]

39-1 refers to it as a leather name patch. They're also referred to as Leather Nameplates, Aircrew Style Name Plate (ASNP), and leather nametags. There's probably a few other things they're referred to, but those are probably the most common.

Isn't the ASNP the embroidered version that we aren't allowed to wear?

[ColonelJack]

And if you're the 2d Lt. Lee Ashley that I know ...

Welcome to CAPTalk!!!

(Same applies if you aren't, but remove the bold-italic-underline bit.)

Jack

[MSgt Van]

At flightbadge.com you can get with or without border stitching.

[Hawk200]

Isn't the ASNP the embroidered version that we aren't allowed to wear?

Not in the context that I know it. The Air Force referred to it as such when they went to it on BDUs some years ago. Only a leather one was allowed on BDUs.

[PHall]

At flightbadge.com you can get with or without border stitching.

But will they do CAP badges?
 
Most of the places that do this stuff have stopped doing CAP stuff because they got a C&D letter.

And our minuscule marketshare usually isn't worth the time and effort to fight it.

[Hawk200]

But will they do CAP badges?

They do. Check the site for the options available.

[JC004]

But will they do CAP badges?

They do. Check the site for the options available.

NO!  BAD!  BAD!  BAD!  Now I feel a C&D letter coming.  BAD! 

[Eclipse]

But will they do CAP badges?

They do. Check the site for the options available.

NO!  BAD!  BAD!  BAD!  Now I feel a C&D letter coming.  BAD!

They are an official CAP sponsor, as has been discussed here before.

[JC004]

But will they do CAP badges?

They do. Check the site for the options available.

NO!  BAD!  BAD!  BAD!  Now I feel a C&D letter coming.  BAD!

They are an official CAP sponsor, as has been discussed here before.

What is an official CAP sponsor?  Like the corporate members?  Regardless, does National allow them to do these?

[Eclipse]

As-in they have officially sponsored Regional Conferences, so NHQ is fully aware of their existence.

[JC004]

As-in they have officially sponsored Regional Conferences, so NHQ is fully aware of their existence.

I don't know if that means anything.  One hand and another hand - that kinda thing.

[PHall]

As-in they have officially sponsored Regional Conferences, so NHQ is fully aware of their existence.

And the Hock Shop used to advertise in the CAP News too...

[JC004]

As-in they have officially sponsored Regional Conferences, so NHQ is fully aware of their existence.

And the Hock Shop used to advertise in the CAP News too...

that turned out well

[Eclipse]

As-in they have officially sponsored Regional Conferences, so NHQ is fully aware of their existence.

And the Hock Shop used to advertise in the CAP News too...

Not relevant - that was during a time before CAP had an exclusive contract with an outside company which is contractually bound to enforce that exclusivity.

[2d Lt Lee Ashley]

Wow!! Thanks for opening the info floodgates!!

Last night got put on standby for a ELT launch time and could have really used my flight suit. Look out Vanguard here i come! Thanks for all the info.

BTW, Hello Col Bagley.

2d Lt Lee Ashley
SER-GA_153

[SarDragon]

Isn't the ASNP the embroidered version that we aren't allowed to wear?

Not in the context that I know it. The Air Force referred to it as such when they went to it on BDUs some years ago. Only a leather one was allowed on BDUs.

OK, I sit corrected. 

[Fuzzy]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

[FARRIER]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It actually gave the uniform a clean look.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It actually gave the uniform a clean look.

I remember it.  It was around the same era as the Tony McPeak uniform.

It did give the uniform a clean look, and it was designed to lessen wear on the uniform from sewing insignia on, but eventually I think it was scrapped because of officer recognition.  When approaching, you couldn't see the rank until you were close enough to read the nameplate.

[cap235629]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It actually gave the uniform a clean look.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little at the memory. CLEAN?

[SarDragon]

Different strokes for different folks!

[JayT]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It was just the BDU's with a leather nameplate over the left pocket. If you look at a lot of pictures of Airmen from the first gulf war you'll see it.

[PHall]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It actually gave the uniform a clean look.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little at the memory. CLEAN?

Yeah, clean. Only thing attached to the BDU blouse was that 3" x 5" black leather name tag.

Real common during the First Gulf War when we were trying to get everybody into the Desert Cammo Uniforms as quick as possible.

This only applied to the Air Force.

[cap235629]

This only applied to the Air Force.

Yes and us Army guys were glad to let them have it.....

[PHall]

This only applied to the Air Force.

Yes and us Army guys were glad to let them have it.....

Wasn't our choice. But our ground guys were pretty happy to get out of those Woodland BDU's though.
To those of us who wore flight suits it was just another day in the fun zone.

[Eclipse]

I've seen photos, but can't find anything now - the nearest thing I can find is Navy DCU's with a name badge area.

[FARRIER]

Here is a fuzzy photo.

[lordmonar]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It actually gave the uniform a clean look.

I remember it.  It was around the same era as the Tony McPeak uniform.

It did give the uniform a clean look, and it was designed to lessen wear on the uniform from sewing insignia on, but eventually I think it was scrapped because of officer recognition.  When approaching, you couldn't see the rank until you were close enough to read the nameplate.

Actually it was the SNCO's who were pissed off the most.

[PHall]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It actually gave the uniform a clean look.

I remember it.  It was around the same era as the Tony McPeak uniform.

It did give the uniform a clean look, and it was designed to lessen wear on the uniform from sewing insignia on, but eventually I think it was scrapped because of officer recognition.  When approaching, you couldn't see the rank until you were close enough to read the nameplate.

Actually it was the SNCO's who were pissed off the most.

Okay Pat, I'll bite. Why would the SNCO's be upset? Amn Snuffie salute them by accident or something?

[Hawk200]

USAF wore leather sytle name patches on the BDU? That must have looked horrible.

I tried to google it but does anybody have a picture of such animal?

It actually gave the uniform a clean look.

I remember it.  It was around the same era as the Tony McPeak uniform.

It did give the uniform a clean look, and it was designed to lessen wear on the uniform from sewing insignia on, but eventually I think it was scrapped because of officer recognition.  When approaching, you couldn't see the rank until you were close enough to read the nameplate.

Actually it was the SNCO's who were pissed off the most.

Okay Pat, I'll bite. Why would the SNCO's be upset? Amn Snuffie salute them by accident or something?

They were annoyed about losing their big stripes. Some people would call it compensation issues.

And it was a 2"x4" nametag, not a 3"x5" inch one. It's the exact same size as the one on the flightsuit.

Initially, any black leather nametag could be worn. It later changed to a non-glossy leather with stitching around the border. I got away with one of the "patent" leather ones for several months, usually with "Well, I'm gonna order some today after work". Truth was, I kept forgetting to do so.

The officer thing was a bit of an issue, and the biggest reason was that many officers were removing the rank on their headgear. Don't know why they would, but it was a fairly common problem. Had more than a few that challenged me on failure to salute, and I'd look at their hat and ask where their rank was. The usual response was "We don't wear hat rank with this leather nametag." I would usually reply "Sir (or Ma'am), the leather nameplate change only addresses insignia worn on the BDU shirt. The message clearly states that no other parts of the uniform are affected."

I remember a later message that circulated stating that rank was still required on headgear for officers, but it was kind of moot by that point, as all rank insignia came back a few months later.

[PHall]

I would be perfectally happy to go back to the ASNP on BDU's/ABU's/BBDU's/whatever.
Minimal sewing and it is distinctive. And minimal investment in Vanguard's profit pool.

[Hawk200]

I would be perfectally happy to go back to the ASNP on BDU's/ABU's/BBDU's/whatever.
Minimal sewing and it is distinctive. And minimal investment in Vanguard's profit pool.

I hear that. I do know of one unit where the seniors wore them that way. Yeah, I know, not legal, but they did it. Of course, they also got in trouble for wearing subdued grade insignia on headgear.

Have you ever noticed that if you did it early and it was adopted, it's setting a trend; but if it's not adopted, you're a rule breaking black sheep?

[MSgt Van]

No patches, just the leather name tag. Simple. I wore this sometime around '88. It didn't last long.

[Mustang]

As-in they have officially sponsored Regional Conferences, so NHQ is fully aware of their existence.

And the Hock Shop used to advertise in the CAP News too...

Not relevant - that was during a time before CAP had an exclusive contract with an outside company which is contractually bound to enforce that exclusivity.

....which sorta renders your earlier post "not relevant" too...

But will they do CAP badges?

They do. Check the site for the options available.

NO!  BAD!  BAD!  BAD!  Now I feel a C&D letter coming.  BAD!

They are an official CAP sponsor, as has been discussed here before.

A word to the wise, folks: if you have a favorite non-Vanguard supplier of CAP stuff, don't post their name/website out in the open (and don't tell Eclipse, either  ). They WILL get a C&D letter from NHQ.

Exclusive means exclusive.

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

No patches, just the leather name tag. Simple. I wore this sometime around '88. It didn't last long.

That long ago?  I remember seeing them in the early to mid '90s...

I would be all for CAP adopting this for both the BDU and BBDU.  It's distinctive, looks good, and adheres to the K.I.S.S. philosophy.

[MSgt Van]

I remember wearing it while at Lowry AFB - '88 - '92. Fell in there somewhere. 
This would never fly in CAP - no patches!

[Hawk200]

That long ago?  I remember seeing them in the early to mid '90s...

That's when I wore them. Started out with tapes and stripes (and patches), went to nameplate, then back to tapes and stripes in a ten year time period.

I could go for it, it would be a lot simpler.

[MSgt Van]

Wasn't there a short time when we had the patch, and stripes?

[The CyBorg is destroyed]

Wasn't there a short time when we had the patch, and stripes?

I remember seeing both.

I went browsing on various AF sites and I found this photo from 1995 BMT at Lackland.

The MTI is wearing both the patch and stripes.

http://www.bmtflightphotos.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/031101-F-1995A-011.jpg

[Hawk200]

Wasn't there a short time when we had the patch, and stripes?

Yeeaahhh, I try to forget that time period....

[PHall]

Wasn't there a short time when we had the patch, and stripes?

Yeeaahhh, I try to forget that time period....

Thank [insert your favorite deity here] my duty uniform was the Flight Suit. I didn't have to play those silly games with the eternally changing BDU's. :clap: