| The history of Military Shoulder Patches began during | | | | military shoulder patch was made. They became a |
| World War 1. In 1918 an army unit, the 81st Division, | | | | mandatory part of the field uniform on July 1, 1970. |
| based in Fort Jackson, South Carolina was sent to | | | | These changes were made so that they would not |
| France. On their uniform, worn on the left shoulder | | | | stand out against the uniform itself. It was believed |
| was a drab olive colored felt patch of a wildcat. On | | | | that the bright color of the patches would stand out |
| the circle shaped patch, black outlined the edges. | | | | if a soldier was in hiding or during combat missions. |
| Olive green filled the background and a black wildcat | | | | The history of most military shoulder patches varied |
| was centered. The Army unit's patch featured a | | | | in color, size and general design. The exception is the |
| wildcat because of Wildcat Creek, a creek flowing | | | | United States Armored divisions. All armored divisions |
| swiftly back at their home base in South Carolina. | | | | have the same military shoulder patch on their |
| Other soldiers in fighting units that were different | | | | uniforms. The armored military shoulder patch is a |
| from the "Wildcats" challenged their right to wear the | | | | triangle that is colored red, blue and yellow and has |
| drab olive patch on their uniforms. Finally, it was ruled | | | | the symbol for armor in the center. The number of |
| by General John J. Pershing that not only could the | | | | their brigade or department was placed in the yellow |
| 81st division "wildcats" keep their beloved patch, he | | | | part, located near the top. The military shoulder |
| not only encouraged but suggested that all divisions | | | | patches of the divisions that served in the Cold War |
| should have their own patches made. The "wildcat" | | | | were pentagons that were irregular in size with a |
| patch of the 81st division became the first official | | | | rectangle near the bottom. These military patches |
| patch of the U.S. Army on October 19, 1918. | | | | had the division name or U.S. Armor Center. |
| During World War II all major Army commands had | | | | The military patch was also redesigned for desert |
| distinctive Shoulder Service Insignias of their own. | | | | camouflage uniform. These unique military shoulder |
| This included divisions, field army, and corps. The | | | | patches were light brown or tan to match the |
| 82nd Airborne Division had "AA" on their patch | | | | camouflage colors of the Desert Camouflage uniform. |
| because it contained soldiers from every state. The | | | | This uniform was replaced by the Army Combat |
| "AA" on the patch meant "All- American". The 29th | | | | uniform. Military Shoulder Patches for the Army |
| Infantry Division's patch was blue and gray because | | | | Combat uniform are green, tan and black and have a |
| the soldiers that fought in this division were on both | | | | Velcro backing to be attached to the Velcro pocket |
| the North and the South sides of the American Civil | | | | on the shoulder of the uniform. A military shoulder |
| War. | | | | patch that is in full color is only own on a Class A |
| The history of the military shoulder patch changed | | | | uniform which a soldier wears when not engaged in |
| again during the Vietnam War when a subdued | | | | combat. |