We’re big fans of tactical patches ‘round these parts! And so are many tactical folks! Tactical patches (aka morale patches) are brash, cheeky and badass Velcro badges that make a statement. They have their roots in a proud military tradition, and they go awesomely with tactical gear and clothing.
As cool as these patches are, you may be wondering: is there any practical use of patches? Sure is! Here’s a quick rundown of the practical purposes a patch might have:
- Serving as one’s badge of identity
- Providing a boost to one’s morale
- Emphasizing a group’s team identity
- Displaying a bold warning
Our guide goes into greater detail about these purposes! And it’s also got a quick foray into teasing out the aesthetic value of patches.
A Badge of Identity
Flags have become important symbols of personal identity in recent times. That’s one practical use of patches as well. We can see them growing in popularity based on this use case alone. In our society, it’s become commonplace to wear one’s identity on one’s sleeve—and with tactical patches, you can literally do so!
What do patches say about you? Their association with the military is undeniable. Wearing tactical patches is a way of proclaiming your ties to the military—or else your admiration for them, if you haven’t served. But patches are not heavily militaristic, either! They’re often goofy and irreverent, they’re not meant to be taken too seriously. They offer a way to express your pro-military stance in an approachable and friendly style.
Tactical patches also give off attitude. You don’t want to talk aggressively to people all the time, as that’s way too combative. That creates more problems than it solves. It ain’t tactically smart! But one aesthetic value of patches is to display attitude. Make a bold statement. You gotta let the patches do that for you!
A Boost to Morale
We have different ways of achieving a morale boost. For some people, what works is hanging onto a motto, a slogan—a statement of purpose. Repeating it in one’s head to fire up one’s drive.
Other folks get a lift in their spirits from jokes and humor. Anything to lighten things up in a tough situation is welcome, don’t you think? Laughter offers a way to shake off a dour attitude and refocus your mind on your goals.
Tactical patches are also called morale patches because they can help boost your morale. The patches come in different styles, so you can get the ones that best work for you. A plain, straightforward motto on a patch would be a good choice for many tactical types. Others will prefer to get patches that are funny and make them laugh.
Team Identity Patches
Morale and camaraderie are closely connected. Tactical folks often need to work in teams, and team morale is every bit as vital as individual morale. One way to boost team morale is to foster a strong team identity in the minds and hearts of its members.
Tactical patches can be part of that equation. The team leader is still the main contributor to establishing team identity and getting every member to buy into it. Custom made team identity patches can support the initiative, though! With custom patches, you can have every member wear the insignia of their team. The visual reminder of their team identity is helpful and good for morale.
Team identity patches hark back to the military origins of tactical patches. The first modern patches, used by the the US Army’s 81st Division Wildcats, had every member of the unit wearing a symbol that signified their solidarity—a wildcat. (Did that pique your interest in morale patch history? Check out this article to learn more!)
Warning Patches
Now let’s talk about a more practical use of patches: delivering immediate warnings. This is the function of many specialized patches, including ones made to be worn by service animals.
A lot of people are still unfamiliar with the concept of a service dog, and may seek to treat them as they would any other pet. Having a service animal sport warning patches goes a long way toward avoiding such misunderstandings. K9 morale patches may spell out “DO NOT PET” or “ASK TO PET” to prevent a service dog from being disturbed by an unfamiliar individual. That can be especially helpful if the animal is going to be around children.
Check out these 14er K9 morale patches to see several fine examples! You’ll find that not all patches of this type are serious minded. Some K9 morale patches say things like “HOOMAN PROTECTOR” or “FUR MISSILE”! You can have fun with your pooch’s patch collection, too!
Decorative Items
Many tactical folks appreciate the aesthetic value of patches so much, they even use them as wall decor! It’s an often overlooked use for tactical patches. They’re cool, they’re creative, they can be pithy and hilarious! And since they’re removable, you can display your entire collection in batches, if you wish.
You can purchase a wall-mounted display case for your patches, or you can make your own. We’ve got a guide on how to create a patch panel for your home or office. It takes a bit of work, but you can get it done. Then you’ll have a nice conversational piece for your guests to admire.
If you’d like a more portable means of showing off your collection, go for a roll-up storage mat like the 14er Morale Patch Panel. It’s lightweight, easy to carry or attach to your gear, and its micro-fleece surface holds patches quite securely. If you require a good way to store and organize your collection, look no further!
Custom Made Patches
With the endless variety of tactical patch styles nowadays, you’re sure to find something that suits you big-time! If not, you can always make your own custom patches. You will need to embroider a design on a durable base material (such as high-quality PVC), then cut it out and use a strong adhesive to apply a Velcro surface.
Don’t have embroidery skills? You can find services that can craft custom patches based on the design you give them. Try your local tactical gear provider, perhaps! You can also search for an online service that can do that for you.
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