The Squadron Patch

CAPR 110-3 | Civil Air Patrol Heraldry Program

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6. Standardized Heraldry for CAP Squadrons. Squadron emblems are displayed on discs (see figure 2).

6.1. A squadron with a motto has two scrolls. Display the unit's motto on a scroll above the disc and the unit's name in a scroll below the disc.

6.2. If a squadron has no motto, display the unit’s name in a single scroll below the disc.

6.3. Squadron names and mottoes may not exceed 30 characters and spaces. Scrolls are generally 90, 120, or 150-degree arcs to accommodate the characters. If two scrolls are used, they will be the same size.

6.4. Squadron designation should include full name and type of unit, i.e., “Maxwell Air Force Base Composite Squadron.” However, unit names too long for the space allotted may be shortened, i.e., “Maxwell AFB Comp Sq.” Additionally, if abbreviations are required to shorten the name, only the following standard abbreviations for type of unit will be used: Comp Sq, Cdt Sq, Sr Sq, Gp.

6.5. Previously approved emblems and mottoes that do not meet the requirements of this regulation do not need to be revised immediately. Modifications to existing emblems and mottoes must be updated prior to the next production of the item.

7. Heraldic Standards for all CAP emblem designs and mottoes (region, wing, group, squadron).

7.1. Emblem designs and mottoes must reflect favorably on Civil Air Patrol and the United States Air Force; be original, distinctive, dignified, and in good taste; and be noncontroversial.

7.2. Organizations without an approved emblem may submit their own design proposal through channels as described in Section 2. Organizations at all levels are strongly encouraged to request advice on heraldic composition from the Senior Manager of Heraldry on the National History Staff. Organizations that wish to inquire about an approved emblem, should contact their wing history office. Seeking assistance early will help avoid delays.

7.3. Design Element Instructions: Keep in mind the purpose of Civil Air Patrol and Air Force heraldry as stated in the opening paragraph:

7.3.1. Use accepted heraldic symbols or stylized elements. See Attachment 1, References, for further guidance.

7.3.2. Keep emblem design uncluttered and as simple as possible. A simple, clean design is much easier to reproduce as a patch, letterhead, or other rendition.

7.3.3. All symbols and elements must be placed within the parameters of the disc or shield.

7.3.4. Do not exceed three elements (see definition of element in Attachment 1).

7.3.5. Do not include symbols or caricatures associated with foreign nations, extremist groups, or games of chance. If a globe element depicts landmasses, the landmasses must be unrecognizable unless North America is prominently displayed at center. A globe element may not depict both gridlines and landmasses.

7.3.6. Do not duplicate the Air Force symbol, existing emblems, military occupational badges, CAP specialty badges, military or CAP qualification badges (or other types of badges). Do not depict undifferenced flags of any kind. CAP organizations may incorporate into their own emblems one element common to their parent organization.

7.3.7. Unless there are justifiable identity reasons, do not include emblems that represent instruments of war (i.e., rockets, missiles, attack or fighter aircraft, battleaxes, maces, arrows, spears, knifes, swords, fasces, suits or parts of armor, eagles in attack mode, etc.). Justifiable identity reasons could include using an arrowhead for “Lake Arrowhead Composite Squadron,” or a suit of armor for “Armorville Cadet Squadron,” as examples. Units that trace their lineage to historic costal patrol bases may have a justifiable reason to incorporate original design elements form the costal patrol base emblem or patch, which might include instruments of war. Exceptions such as those must be thoroughly explained in the design submission.

7.3.8. Unless there are justifiable identity reasons, do not include emblems of royalty or nobility, such as crowns, scepters, castles, etc. (Justifiable identity reasons could include designs for “Crown City Senior Squadron,” or “Castletown Cadet Squadron,” as examples. Exceptions such as those must be thoroughly explained in the design submission).

7.3.9. Do not include numbers or text on the design outside of the scroll(s). Numerals may be used if incorporated into the design, but not as text. Do not depict symbols of a gruesome or morbid nature, gambling devices, cartoon-like characters, recognizable aircraft (stylized aircraft are permissible).

7.3.10. Do not violate trademark or copyright laws.

7.3.11. Do not include very small detail features and accent lines which would be difficult to reproduce or embroider on small emblem reproductions.

7.3.12. Face horizontal elements to the bearer’s right side (Dexter), which in heraldry is the position of honor (see Figures 1 and 2).

7.3.13. Do not duplicate existing insignia of past or present military units or organizations. In instances where squadrons have developed relationships with active, Reserve or National Guard units, and where permission has been granted to incorporate heraldic elements from the military unit insignia, a copy of the authorization letter must accompany the proposal. Also, the design must be heraldically “differenced” to show that the design has not been copied verbatim. (The Senior Manager of the Heraldry Division may be consulted for further explanation as to differencing).

7.3.14. The CAP logo may be, but is not required to be, incorporated in the design. The former Civil Air Patrol Emblem, as defined in CAPR 900-2, may not be used. However, the former CAP roundel, consisting of the former CAP emblem minus the text and the red stripe, may be used to honor CAP heritage.

7. 4. Mottoes:

7.4.1. Mottoes are a simple phrase of meaningful words reflecting the vision or heritage of the organization. A unit may adopt a nickname as a motto, if in good taste.

7.4.2. Do not use functional words that repeat the organization's designation, e.g., “Cadet” in the motto of a cadet squadron.

7.4.3. Do not use punctuation such as dashes, dots, commas, explanation marks or quotation marks in the motto. Apostrophes for possessive words are permitted.

7.4.4. Do not use acronyms, abbreviations, or numerals unless space considerations require.

7.4.5. Mottoes in English are preferred, but if in a language other than English, provide an English translation in the request for approval. The originating organization is solely and completely responsible for the accuracy of the translation.

7.5. Colors:

7.5.1. Do not use metallic colors, glitz, highlights, dilution, shading, or other special effects.

7.5.2. Do not use more than six colors; black and white included.

7.5.3. Follow the heraldic “rule of tincture,” meaning that colors must be placed over metals, or metals placed over colors, with no colors over colors or metals over metals. (Colors are red, blue, black, green, orange, brown, purple, etc. Metals are silver, gold, and representations of silver and gold, including white, gray, yellow). Note that there are limited and specific exceptions to the rule of tincture. The Senior Manager for Heraldry may be consulted for use of and exceptions to the rule of tincture.

7.5.4. Use the official Civil Air Patrol colors and metals (whenever possible): Ultramarine Blue (Pantone Reflex Blue C), Silver Gray (Pantone 422 C), Pimento Red (Pantone 200 C), and Air Force Yellow (Pantone 116 C). See the CAPR 150-2 Brand Identity Program for more details. Use Air Force Yellow (Pantone 116 C) on the border of a shield.

7.5.5. Group and higher scrolls incorporate a white field (background), edged in Air Force Yellow (Pantone 116 C) with Ultramarine Blue (Pantone Reflex Blue C) lettering. Squadron scrolls may be any color, as long as the overall design has six or fewer colors, border of disc and scroll is not white, the border of the disc and scroll are the same color as the lettering, and chosen color scheme provides contrast (one light color, one dark color) for easy readability of scroll text.

7.5.6. For additional guidance on emblem submission, designs, and colors, contact the CAP Senior Manager of Heraldry on the National History Staff.

Guide to Air Force Heraldry