Army patches

Learn more about Army patches

Army Combat Patch – SSI (Shoulder sleeve insignia)

The SSI (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) is the patch the Army uses to denote which command or unit a soldier is serving with.
The US Army is the only branch of the US Armed Forces which requires all soldiers to wear the SSI of their headquarters as part of their military uniforms, both when overseas in combat deployments and back in their garrison.

Army Patch Placements on Uniforms

The American flag is worn on the right sleeve and has to be placed on top of other patches as proof of respect to the country. The SSI of the unit the soldier is attached to is placed on the left arm. However, the SSI can be placed on other locations like the side of the helmet.

Soldiers who are deployed in combat zones for 30 days or more are awarded with a combat patch. It’s officially known as the “shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service” (SSI-FWTS). This is an SSI worn on the right shoulder just below the US American flag to denote the unit served in former wartime service.

The combat patch is something that each veteran desires as an emblem of personal sacrifice and commitment. Obviously, not every US Army soldier wears a combat patch on the right sleeve. Only those who proudly can display what unit they were deployed into combat zones with.

Finally, soldiers who have earned multiple combat patches may choose which patch to wear. Soldiers may also elect not to wear a combat patch.

Laser-cut? And VELCRO backed? What’s the point of laser-cut Army VELCRO patches?

We specialize in producing VELCRO-backed patches made with a CNC laser cutting process.

Laser-cut patches provide a number of significant advantages compared to other technologies (embroidered, PVC, …):

• strength and durability, able to endure hard combat conditions, built to last,
• clean and precise cuts, providing better detailed texts and designs,
• ability to feature standard reflectivity (white light) and infrared reflectivity (IR) when in low or no visibility conditions,
• ease to configure your desired color combination to match your gear

Our IR patches feature true infrared reflectivity, 100% guaranteed. In fact, they’ve passed several tests made by a number of US Army units we’ve supplied IR patches to in the past.

VELCRO® Brand hook and loop fasteners provide a fast and easy method for removing or replacing a patch. VELCRO is extremely sturdy and durable, and it allows for a convenient and standard attachment method independently of the surface. Using VELCRO you can attach patches to helmets, clothing, bags and backpacks, plate carriers, IFAK jackets, etc.

Some examples of Army patches which use VELCRO backing and are made with laser cutting technology are: American flags, callsigns, IFAK patches, blood type and allergy information patches, identification patches (MEDic, EOD), etc

US Army OCP patches

All patches in our store can be ordered in OCP pattern. However, unless explicitly requested, we may use Multicam instead given the fact that both patterns are extremely similar. In fact, their differences are hardly noticeable in small products like patches.

In any case, should you need OCP instead of Multicam, we will offer OCP as well starting Q2 2002. Learn more about OCP.

Tactical Freaky, your one stop shop for highly customizable Army patches.

We strive to build the best and largest catalog of laser-cut Army VELCRO patches in the world, offering a myriad of customization options. It will be really easy for you to match your patch with your gear:

• 40+ backgrounds (solid colors and camos), including OCP,
• 20+ options for texts and logos, including Infrared Reflective (IR) and standard reflectivity (white light),
• and 10+ sizes available, from 1×1 to 10×4 inches.

No other Army patch maker around is able to offer so many customization options like Tactical Freaky.

Also, we offer a number of standard and genuine patterns and camouflages (some of them discontinued but still of interest by many of our customers).

All our fabrics are Mil-Spec and are procured from certified suppliers in the US: Multicam/OCP, US Woodland (M81), Vietnamese Tiger Stripe, ACU, etc.

Should you need an Army subdued patch to give away your position when in the field, you can easily configure it by playing with the myriad of backgrounds and texts/logos color options we offer.

Looking for a custom Army patch? Missing your Army unit patch? Interested in a custom Army veteran patch?

No matter if you need a custom design, your unit patch, a particular Army Special Forces patch, or an Army airborne patch, we’ve got you covered.

We will gladly assess your project in terms of feasibility, cost, and MOQ (minimum order quantity). Just get in touch with us—we’re always interested in adding new US Army insignias to our growing catalog.

Don’t forget to check out our Custom Patches section in the store. There, you will find some pre-designed custom patches which may fulfill your needs at affordable prices, no setup fees, and no minimums.

In the store you will find listings to order callsigns, Army name tape patches, Army rank patches, or blood type and allergy info patches, among others. Check it out!

We’ve had plenty of experience designing and producing custom patches, and in fact, we’ve shipped thousands of custom items around the world since 2017!