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The military is always looking to boost morale and build unit pride (esprit de corps) and while there are more than a few ways to get it done, one that seems to be increasing is the use of morale patches. Morale patches are simply patches similar to standard military unit designators that are non-sanctioned and unofficial. These morale patches are typically irreverent or funny and either support a different view of a unit or job or poke fun at other military aspects.

The military is always looking to boost morale and build unit pride (esprit de corps) and while there are more than a few ways to get it done, one that seems to be increasing is the use of morale patches. Morale patches are simply patches similar to standard military unit designators that are non-sanctioned and unofficial. These morale patches are typically irreverent or funny and either support a different view of a unit or job or poke fun at other military aspects.




MEDAL OF HONOR MORALE PATCH HISTORY*
In Medal of Honor's most recent game release, each playable group involved in the story was set under the identifying banner of a patch - not a real unit patch so technically they come under the heading of morale patches. This is especially true of the Tier 1 Operator units as even in the real world such units bear very little identifiable markings. Let's recap with a quick reminder walk-through.






AFO NEPTUNE PATCH
AFO (Advance Force Operations) Neptune is the team of Navy SEALs in Medal of Honor. This is the U.S. Navy's Special Operations unit and gets its name because SEALs are trained for combat in the SEa, Air and Land. Due to their training in unconventional warfare, the SEALs were deployed to Afghanistan even though it is not near the ocean. In Medal of Honor, this AFO Neptune patch represents the Tier 1 unit of the U.S. Navy SEALs and thus incorporates the number "1" to further distinguish this elite team.




AFO WOLFPACK PATCH
AFO Wolfpack is the U.S. Army Special Forces unit in Medal of Honor. These operators are highly trained in special reconnaissance and unconventional warfare and sometimes designated as part of SFOD-D (Special Forces Operational Detachment 'Delta'). As with the unit patch for the U.S. Navy SEALs Tier 1 unit in the game, the AFO Wolfpack patch incorporates the number "1" to further designate this team as Tier 1.




1ST BN 75TH RANGER RGMT PATCH
1st Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment represent the U.S. Army as the elite light infantry fighting force. Rangers often operate in larger scale support of special operations forces work.








GUNFIGHTERS PATCH
1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment "Gunfighters" are the aviation unit of the U.S. Army tasked with CAS (Close Air Support) to ground troops. They are also tasked in search and destroy missions via the units AH-64D "Longbow" Apache attack helicopters capable of engaging all types of targets at varied ranges.




MILITARY HISTORY OF THE MORALE PATCH (OFFICIALLY UNOFFICIAL)
Morale patches by their very nature have been kept quiet over the years as units kept out of trouble with regulations. It’s believed that the current crop of patches got their start from other, older elements. In WWII, aircraft nose art was a popular way to add a little personalization to a crew. These art pieces gave the aircraft a life of its own as the 'face' of the always female 'she' mentioned in regards to the airframe they put their lives into each mission. Years later, Velcro made it possible to quickly remove distinctive markings for fliers downed in combat. The patches got easier to wear selectively as well and offered the wearer a quick way to add or remove a little piece of personal pride.

While the troops in the air seem to have started this idea, the gang on the ground found ways to express themselves as well. From WWII to the Vietnam War, helmets were also used to creatively include personal markings. From peace symbols and skulls to 'death cards' stuck in the bands, here again was a place for the uniform to get a little personality. There’s even evidence of hand stitched patches being made in the late 1960s for special operations groups that didn't have formal commands.

Jump to current day with uniforms for most branches utilizing Velcro for everything including backpacks, bags and hats. It's easy to see how a cleverly handled patch can be easily affixed to a troop and just as easily removed while in more strict company. These days there is a myriad of patches available from helpful medical types (blood type or allergies) to stuff your mom wouldn't want to see you wearing during the live field report on the news. The morale patch is mostly meant as a stress reliever in order to get a laugh or start a conversation in a place and time when either is a welcome break from the day to day stress of combat operations.




VETERAN PRIDE
Morale patches are most prevalent in the military veteran community. Worn on hats and jackets long after the uniform is retired, veterans use these patches as a mark of pride, pointing out specialty jobs, dates of service, conflicts and anything else they are particularly proud of or feel strongly about. Some patches are so distinctive in character that they are given out as recognition from active units to veterans, family and friends. Some morale patches aren't patches at all but pins from patch designs which have been created to be more easily worn. These symbols act as identifying marks, a living resume of who the bearer is, where they've been and what they've been through. Next time you find yourself near some veterans, take a moment, scan the hats, jackets and of course leather vests and see you find. If you look close enough, you can get quite a history on the individuals you're sharing company with before ever being introduced.

Art imitates life and sometimes life imitates art. Not long after the development team at Danger Close Games came up with the distinctive patch for its in-game aviation asset, the design drew the interest of real world Apache pilots. CPT Jon Ryder from Bearcats of Bravo Company, Task Force No Mercy was presented with a unique opportunity around the recent Medal of Honor game. At the time of the introduction to the Medal of Honor development team, he was part of the 1BN 2nd Aviation Regiment’s Gunfighters Apache Battalion and had this to say in a recent interview. "As a military member with certain interests, and as a video game player myself, the chance to help out with the making of a video game in any aspect was incredible. When EA games contacted my Attack Aviation Battalion, I was surprised to know that I had been chosen as one of the pilots to talk with the developers. I took it as another opportunity to get to know some very cool guys that were genuinely interested in what I did for a living as an Apache pilot and cared about getting it right."

Symbols are a powerful thing in the military and for those who find it hard to express themselves something as simple as a patch or a pin can do a lot of talking and even find another in a crowded street or room. Have you got a good one, seen a great one? Let's hear it or better yet, see it!

Stay safe out there and thank a veteran every time you pass one.

*Some content from Prima Official Medal of Honor Game Guide



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