Squadron Patch Opinions

[RicL]

I've been working on a mockup for a squadron patch. The cadets have decided pretty much unanimously that we're the "Eagles of the North Country". They also wanted to work in the initial 10 members that decided to organize the squadron so they're represented as stars. Let me know what you think.


As soon as I figure out how to do the border correctly in illustrator I'll fix it. Still not quite sure on the border color at this point either.

[davidsinn]

I've been working on a mockup for a squadron patch. The cadets have decided pretty much unanimously that we're the "Eagles of the North Country". They also wanted to work in the initial 10 members that decided to organize the squadron so they're represented as stars. Let me know what you think.


As soon as I figure out how to do the border correctly in illustrator I'll fix it. Still not quite sure on the border color at this point either.

Nifty. You might add a star in the state to denote your location. Other than that looks pretty good.

[Eclipse]

I would expand the font to fill the rockers and make them white or a brighter color., add the star for your location (or perhaps a prop/shield?), and make the state stand out more.  On a patch it may get lost due to a low thread count.

Otherwise very nice.

[arajca]

Make the state a different color than green. On a dark green, the black outline of the state will get lost.

Consider changing "COMPOSITE" to "COMP" or just dropping it. It'll help the lettering fill in better. Also, increase the contrast between the lettering color and the scroll color.

It's a nice design, just a few minor detail issues.

[Eclipse]

Consider changing "COMPOSITE" to "COMP" or just dropping it. It'll help the lettering fill in better. Also, increase the contrast between the lettering color and the scroll color.

+1 I missed that. The unit's designation doesn't mean much to the external people who will see it, and without that you can increase the lettering size and balance it better against the top.

[RiverAux]

Disagree.  It is an integral part of the squadron's name.  Like it or not, these are the squadron designation types we're stuck with.

[Ranger75]

My thougts run to using a combination of the Big Dipper and Polaris in the upper field of the design.  The Big Dipper is an asterism of seven stars that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial.  The two stars forming the pouring edge of the Big Dipper's bowl (on the side away from the handle) point to Polaris, the north star.  A ninth star could be used to denote the squadron's location within the state outline.  If maintaining ten stars is important, a tenth could be added outside of the constellation's formation, where it does not interfere with recognition of the formation. 

[O-Rex]

I like the fact that you kept with USAF squadron heraldry and used a circle instead of a shield: that gets lost on a lot of units.

[flyboy53]

As soon as I figure out how to do the border correctly in illustrator I'll fix it. Still not quite sure on the border color at this point either.

Excellent Job!!! If you want to keep to Air Force standards, the border needs to be in gold. Very colorful and dignified. Don't forget to submit it up channels for appropriate approvals.

[RicL]

Well, this is about the extent of my skills with illustrator. If someone else wants to tweak it I can send them the file. Here's the second draft and it's definitely not final because NY state isn't staying red. I did that just to remind myself to figure out something to do with it to help it stand out. Adding another color at this point probably isn't the way to go.

[SarDragon]

Send it on. I'll give it a shot. Email's in my profile.

[MIKE]

Make the state bigger, maybe overlap it with the eagle.  There is still a lot of green and a little NY.

I don't think all the stars will translate very well in patch form.  The scale of the disc and the scrolls looks off to me.  Maybe it is the text and the thin border, and the text and boarder color should match: http://www.afhra.af.mil/documents/hgc3/index.asp

[A.Member]

Get rid of the state all together.  It doesn't fit well with the rest of the image and looks like an after thought.  Enlarge the eagle or move it to the left to fill some of the space.

In addition, while it's a gray area, if could be argued that the state is a specific geographic element that goes against Air Force heraldry standards:
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI84-105.pdf

3.7.2.6. Don't include symbols or caricatures associated with foreign nations, extremist groups, games of chance, or a specific geographical location. 

Text/rockers also need to much larger.

What is the heraldry for the patch?  Initially you had ten stars for a stated reason and that made sense.  Now you have a ton of stars?  Why?  The heraldry should explain this.

[Eclipse]

In addition, while it's a gray area, if could be argued that the state is a specific geographic element that goes against Air Force heraldry standards:
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI84-105.pdf

3.7.2.6. Don't include symbols or caricatures associated with foreign nations, extremist groups, games of chance, or a specific geographical location. 

Text/rockers also need to much larger.

What is the heraldry for the patch?  Initially you had ten stars for a stated reason and that made sense.  Now you have a ton of stars?  Why?  The heraldry should explain this.

Unlike most military units, CAP units are tied to specific geographic locations and I disagree they should be avoided - one place not having regs to be bound by is a "nice-to-have".  Though in this case it kind of looks like the eagle is "rescuing" the state.

As to the stars - I don't think anything has changed.  RiCL took it upon himself to redraw the art as vector and just put in a bunch of stars that don't match - I like the idea of the "original 10".

The eagle looks a bit off to me as well, but that's a style call.  I will say, though, that it looks to have been "borrowed' from somewhere?  If so, permission and attribution should be obtained and provided.

I have used elements from the art section of af.mil in insignia and their response has always been "that's what its there for...".

[RiverAux]

Though in this case it kind of looks like the eagle is "rescuing" the state.

Eagles don't do much rescuing -- looks like he's dropping in for the kill. 

[PHall]

Get rid of the state all together.  It doesn't fit well with the rest of the image and looks like an after thought.  Enlarge the eagle or move it to the left to fill some of the space.

In addition, while it's a gray area, if could be argued that the state is a specific geographic element that goes against Air Force heraldry standards:
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI84-105.pdf

3.7.2.6. Don't include symbols or caricatures associated with foreign nations, extremist groups, games of chance, or a specific geographical location. 

Text/rockers also need to much larger.

What is the heraldry for the patch?  Initially you had ten stars for a stated reason and that made sense.  Now you have a ton of stars?  Why?  The heraldry should explain this.

The Air Force doesn't want unit locations shown on unit patches because of OPSEC. Doesn't really apply to us.

[SJFedor]

put your unit motto in latin :p

[A.Member]

Get rid of the state all together.  It doesn't fit well with the rest of the image and looks like an after thought.  Enlarge the eagle or move it to the left to fill some of the space.

In addition, while it's a gray area, if could be argued that the state is a specific geographic element that goes against Air Force heraldry standards:
http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI84-105.pdf

3.7.2.6. Don't include symbols or caricatures associated with foreign nations, extremist groups, games of chance, or a specific geographical location. 

Text/rockers also need to much larger.

What is the heraldry for the patch?  Initially you had ten stars for a stated reason and that made sense.  Now you have a ton of stars?  Why?  The heraldry should explain this.

The Air Force doesn't want unit locations shown on unit patches because of OPSEC. Doesn't really apply to us.

I don't know that OPSEC is a primary concern (I happen to think it probably has more to do with the fact that units relocate) but regardless AF standards state they should not be included and that's why I referred to it as a "gray area".  However, I also think it shows a lack of creativity/originality.  Like most, the patch is not in need of a geographic reference.

[jimmydeanno]

The Air Force doesn't want unit locations shown on unit patches because of OPSEC. Doesn't really apply to us.

Not arguing, but what does that have to do with it?  In the day of Google, all I have to do is type in the unit name and it tells me what base they're from...

[Nick]

The Air Force doesn't want unit locations shown on unit patches because of OPSEC. Doesn't really apply to us.

Well, more to the point, because units can be moved (I give you exhibit A: units gained by AF Global Strike Command).  Once a unit is activated, its heraldry remains no matter where it goes. 

But yeah, it doesn't apply to us.  Once a unit is activated, it will typically always stay in the same "metro" area -- hence why 20-3 recommends using the location as the unit name.