Putting patches on an Army uniform is not just about looks. Every patch has its own home.
US Army patch placement follows clear rules, and this guide explains every one of them in plain, easy words.
Whether you are a new soldier, a proud family member, a patch maker, or just curious, you will find your answer right here.
This guide covers army patch placement on every uniform the Army uses today and in the past. That means the OCP combat uniform, the older BDU uniform, and the Army dress uniform.
It also covers name tapes, flags, unit patches, and combat patches. By the end, you will know army uniform patch placement inside and out.
US Army Patch Placement at a Glance
Here is a fast look at army patches placement before we go deeper into each part of the uniform.
| Patch or Item | Correct Side | Simple Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unit patch (SSI) | Left shoulder | Shows your current unit |
| Combat patch (SSI-MOHC) | Right shoulder | Shows past wartime service |
| US flag patch | Right shoulder, above the combat patch | Stars face forward |
| Name tape | Above the right chest pocket | Last name only |
| ARMY branch tape | Above the left chest pocket | Reads U.S. ARMY |
| Rank insignia | Center of the chest (OCP) | Centered, level, and straight |
| Skill tabs (Ranger, Sapper, etc.) | Above the unit patch on the left shoulder | Worn in a stack if more than one |
What Is Army Patch Placement and Why It Matters
Army patch placement refers to the rules that dictate where each badge, tape, and insignia should be placed on a soldier’s uniform.
Such rules are mandatory and contribute to a soldier’s ability to stand in a formation as a unit.
Moreover, they allow for the rapid identification of a soldier based on the insignia on their shoulder and chest.
The insignia indicate the unit, previous service, rank, and name of the soldier. This is why army patches placement is of particular importance during the inspection of a soldier’s uniform.
You should know what Army patch colors and symbols stand for and the army patch placement before you order any army patch, no matter if it is a unit patch, combat patch, or shoulder sleeve insignia.
What Regulation Covers Army Patch Placement?
The short answer to what regulation covers Army patch placement is Army Regulation 670-1, known as AR 670-1.
This is the official Army rulebook for uniforms and insignia. It tells soldiers what they can wear and where each item goes.
A second document works next to it. It is called DA Pamphlet 670-1, or DA PAM 670-1. AR 670-1 sets the rule. DA PAM 670-1 shows the exact picture, the exact measurement, and the exact spot.
Soldiers, family members, and patch makers often use both together to get army uniform patches placement exactly right.
US Army OCP Patch Placement (Today’s Combat Uniform)
The Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform, called OCP, is the Army’s current combat uniform. It replaced the old woodland and desert patterns.
Army OCP patch placement uses hook-and-loop pads that are already sewn onto the coat at each spot, so patches can be swapped fast without any needle or thread.
This makes US army OCP patch placement simple once you know where each pad sits.
Below is a full breakdown of US army uniform patch placement on the OCP coat, piece by piece.
Unit Patch on the Left Shoulder
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI), or shoulder patch, is worn on the left shoulder of your current unit. This is army unit patch placement.
It is positioned directly under the shoulder seam, in the center of the sleeve’s inbuilt hook-and-loop pad.
The hook and loop backing makes changing a fast and easy process because the patch changes each time you change units.
Combat Patch on the Right Shoulder
A second patch is placed on the right shoulder and usually referred to as the combat patch.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for Military Operations in Hostile Conditions, or SSI-MOHC, is the full name of the patch.
Many soldiers still call it by its older name, SSI-FWTS. This patch shows a unit a soldier deployed with during a qualifying combat tour, and it stays with the soldier even after they leave that unit.
US Flag Patch Placement
The American flag patch sits on the right shoulder pocket flap, above the combat patch. The stars always face forward, toward the front of the uniform.
This is sometimes called reverse orientation. It is done on purpose, since it makes the flag look like it is flying forward as the soldier moves ahead.
Name Tape and Branch Tape Placement
Army uniform name tag placement is simple once you know the pattern. The name tape, showing the soldier’s last name, sits above the right chest pocket.
The branch tape, which reads U.S. ARMY, sits above the left chest pocket. Both are centered and sit about a quarter inch above the top seam of the pocket flap.
If you need durable, correctly sized tapes for a uniform or a themed project, The American Patch makes custom name patches built to the right dimensions.
Rank Insignia Placement
On the OCP coat, enlisted rank is located on a hook-and-loop rank tab in the middle of the chest, between the branch and name tapes.
Officers often wear rank on the center chest tab as well, or on the front of the patrol cap. Rank should sit level, centered, and straight, never tilted to one side.
Every OCP patch position require extra detail on Army and Air Force differences. Since OCP relies on hook-and-loop pads, it also helps to understand how the backing itself works.
What Side Does the US Army Patch Go On? (Simple Answer)
A lot of people search for what side does the US army patch go on and just want one clear answer. Here it is in plain words.
The current unit patch goes on the left shoulder. The combat patch and the flag patch go on the right shoulder.
So, if someone asks what side does the US army patch go on, the answer depends on which patch they mean. If it is the unit patch, it is left.
If it is the flag or the combat patch, it is right.
US Army BDU Patch Placement (Rules for the Classic Combat Uniform)
The Battle Dress Uniform, or BDU, was the Army’s woodland and desert camouflage uniform used for decades before the ACU and OCP came along.
Many people still search for US Army BDU patch placement even though the Army has since moved on to newer patterns.
This is because the term BDU is still used by many people as a general name for any camouflage Army field uniform. The placement rules from that era still guide how shoulder patches are measured today.
Army BDU Shoulder Patch Placement
Army BDU shoulder patch placement follows a simple measurement rule.
Every shoulder sleeve insignia is centered and set a specific distance below the shoulder seam which keeps every soldier’s patches sitting at the same height in formation.
Army BDU Unit Patch Placement
The active unit SSI is positioned on the left sleeve, at the center half of an inch below the shoulder seam, according to the Army BDU unit patch placement.
The tab rests half an inch below the seam if the soldier wears a tab above the patch, such as an Airborne or Ranger tab.
The unit patch is located a quarter of an inch below the tab’s bottom.
Army BDU Combat Patch Placement
Army BDU combat patch placement mirrors the unit patch, just on the other side. The combat patch centers on the right sleeve, one half inch below the shoulder seam, the same distance used on the left.
Army BDU Flag Patch Placement
Army BDU flag patch placement puts the American flag on the upper right sleeve, above the combat patch with the stars facing forward, following the same reverse-flag rule used on today’s OCP uniform.
Army BDU Name Tape Placement
The U.S. ARMY branch tape is set up in the same area above the left chest pocket, whereas the Army BDU name tape placement is located squarely above the right chest pocket.
Letters are typically block style and a consistent height across the whole uniform. Since many BDU-era patches were sewn directly onto the fabric rather than attached with hook-and-loop.
Getting the stitching neat and straight mattered even more, and The American Patch can also produce accurate, uniform-ready embroidered patches sized to match classic BDU specifications.
US Army BDU Patch Placement Measurements
For anyone who wants exact numbers, here is a table covering army BDU patch placement measurements.
These are the classic distances used across BDU and early combat uniforms, they still guide army BDU patch positioning on many field jackets and reproduction uniforms today.
| Item | Measurement | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Unit patch (SSI) | 1/2 inch below the seam | Centered, left shoulder |
| Combat patch (SSI-FWTS) | 1/2 inch below the seam | Centered, right shoulder |
| Skill tab (over unit patch) | 1/2 inch below the seam | Patch sits 1/4 inch below the tab |
| Name tape | Centered above the pocket | Right chest |
| U.S. ARMY tape | Centered above the pocket | Left chest |
| Flag patch | Above the combat patch | Right shoulder, stars forward |
These measurements are the traditional standard. Always check current unit guidance or the official regulation before finishing a real uniform
Since local commands can add attaching patches without sewing rules on top of the base US Army BDU patch placement rules.
Army Dress Uniform Patch Placement (ASU and AGSU)
Army dress uniform patch placement is slightly different from that of the combat uniform.
On the Army Service Uniform (ASU) and the new Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU), patches share space with ribbons, badges, and pin-on grade.
The current unit SSI is worn on the left sleeve, centered on the sleeve near the shoulder seam.
Enlisted grade insignia is worn on both sleeves, centered on the sleeve about midway between the shoulder seam and the bend of the elbow.
Officer grade insignia is worn centered on the shoulder loop on the officer’s ASU instead of on the sleeves.
Ribbons, badges, and nameplates each have specific spacing requirements for the dress uniform.
Many soldiers use a ruler and a printed placement guide for the first time when dressing in the uniform.
Step-by-Step: How to Measure and Place an Army Patch
Follow these simple directions when manually checking or setting army patch placement on a garment. These directions apply to uniforms, costumes, jackets for display, etc.
- Locate the shoulder seam. (The seam up the side of the sleeve where it meets the shoulder.)
- Measure one half inch down from the shoulder seam for the placement of a shoulder patch.
- The center of the patch should be placed one half inch below the seam and centered front to back on the sleeve.
- Pin or press patches in place temporarily so that their position can be seen and checked.
- Make sure they are centered and the same distance from the bottom of the sleeve.
- Check the position and angle of the patch before sewing or permanently pressing in place.
- Repeat for the other sleeve, making sure the patches are approximately the same height.
Common Mistakes with Army Uniform Patch Placement
- Putting the unit patch on the right shoulder instead of the left.
- The first thing I see in paragraph six is sewing the flag patch on the opposite side with the stars facing backward instead of forward.
- Then, measuring from the collar instead of the shoulder seam.
- Finally, crowding the chest with unauthorized badges.
- Letting a patch sit crooked because it was placed by eye instead of measured.
- Mixing up the name tape and the branch tape sides.
OCP vs BDU vs Dress Uniform: Patch Placement Compared
| Feature | OCP (Current) | BDU (Classic) | ASU / AGSU (Dress) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit patch | Left shoulder pad | Left sleeve, 1/2 in. below seam | Left sleeve, near seam |
| Combat patch | Right shoulder pad | Right sleeve, 1/2 in. below seam | Not typically worn |
| Flag patch | Right shoulder, above combat patch | Right sleeve, above combat patch | Not worn |
| Attachment | Hook-and-loop | Sewn | Sewn or pin-on |
| Name tape | Above right pocket | Above right pocket | Nameplate above right pocket |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Army unit patch go on a BDU?
The Army unit patch, or SSI, goes on the left sleeve of a BDU coat, centered and set one half inch below the shoulder seam.
What side does the Army patch go on?
The current unit patch goes on the left side. The combat patch and the flag patch go on the right side.
Where does the combat patch go on an Army uniform?
The combat patch, formally called the SSI-MOHC or SSI-FWTS, goes on the right shoulder, below the flag patch.
Where does the American flag patch go on a BDU?
The flag patch sits on the upper right sleeve, above the combat patch, with the stars facing forward.
Where does the Army name tape go on a BDU?
The name tape sits centered directly above the right breast pocket, with the U.S. ARMY tape above the left pocket.
What are the regulations for Army BDU patch placement?
AR 670-1 and its companion, DA PAM 670-1, set the official rules. They cover exact measurements, colors, and approved insignia for every uniform, including the classic BDU.
How far below the shoulder should an Army patch be?
Shoulder patches are traditionally centered one half inch below the shoulder seam, both for the unit patch on the left and the combat patch on the right.
What is the correct BDU patch placement?
Unit patch on the left sleeve, combat patch on the right sleeve, flag above the combat patch, and name and branch tapes above the chest pockets, all measured and centered.
Can Army BDU patches be worn on either shoulder?
No. Each patch has one correct side. The unit patch always belongs on the left, and the combat and flag patches always belong on the right.
What regulation covers Army patch placement?
Army Regulation 670-1, supported by DA Pamphlet 670-1, is the official source for all Army patch and insignia placement rules.
Keep Your Army Patches Regulation-Ready
US Army patch placement does not have to be as hard as it seems. Once you know the basic rules, like the unit patch is on the left, the flag and combat patch are on the right.
The name and branch tapes are above the chest pockets, the rest will come together with ease.
This same advice applies for the modern OCP uniform, following the traditional US Army BDU patch placement rules, or in preparing a dress uniform.
It applies to insignias on the scout badge for your family too. Just remember to take careful measurements.
Center everything as per the latest regulations for any authorized insignia or patches for the US Army uniform you are working with.
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