Air Force Historical Research Agency

Chapter 4: Processing Air Force Emblems
The commander of an active organization desiring a new emblem or the change of an old emblem should consult with the wing or MAJCOM historians to ensure compliance with USAF requirements and to avoid delays in the approval process. Parent organizations of units scheduled to be activated, or existing units that expect to be redesignated, must submit to the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) the DAF numbered letter and/or the command special order authorizing the action. AFI 84-105, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3.6. should serve as the authoritative guide in the processing of Air Force emblems. The information in this chapter of the "Guide to Air Force Heraldry" supplements the AFI. Organizations seeking a new or redesigned emblem should always follow the chain of command, going first to the wing, then the MAJCOM, historian for consultation, guidance, and endorsement of the proposed emblem.

Base Level Action

Organization submits a proposed emblem design to the wing historian's office.
Since each organization will pay for its emblem from its own funds, the emblem design submitted must be accompanied by a Department of Defense Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (DD Form 448) for the proper amount.
Wing historian reviews the emblem package and verifies that the request includes:
1. A cover letter signed by the organization's commander. If the emblem designer holds a copyright to the design, the request for approval must have attached a signed copyright release.
2. Department of Defense Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (DD Form 448) certified by the organization's accounting and finance office. This form should specify each type of requested emblem items, such as Artwork for Emblem Design (the usual emblem package), Flag Drawing for Establishment, and/or Patch Manufacturer's Drawing.
3. A paper copy of the emblem design in primary colors, and a diskette or CD of the proposed emblem in Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG; .jpg) format.
4. Ensure that the design:
  1. Contains the colors Air Force yellow and ultramarine blue.
  2. Is limited to six colors within the disc or shield(including black and white).
  3. Is dignified and in good taste.
  4. Contains elements that are either vertical, horizontal, crossed, or face to the right (emblem left).
  5. Contains no more than three elements (see Glossary for definition of an element). Does not contain very small, detailed art work that will be rendered unrecognizable in reductions to patch size. The most effective patch designs are simple and bold with high color contrasts.
  6. Is symbolic of history, accomplishments, and mission.
  7. Has no specific types of aircraft, missiles, or other equipment.
  8. Has no symbols of a morbid character, games of chance, caricatures, or cartoon-type characters.
  9. Has no maps or outlines of specific geographic landmarks.
  10. Has no numbers or letters within the design area.
  11. Does not duplicate any known, existing emblems.
5. Two copies of a statement (one page maximum) explaining the significance of the design and (if desired) motto.
  1. The emblem significance statement explains what the emblem's symbolic elements portray or signify to the organization's personnel. Each element in the design must have a meaning, representing either the organization's history or mission. For different organizations, identical elements will have entirely different meanings. A stylized aircraft symbol may represent the flying mission in the emblem of a tactical squadron, and the same symbol in a supply or maintenance squadron may represent support rendered to the flying mission.
  2. An emblem motto must not infringe on registered trademarks such as a corporate slogan, be in good taste, and avoid the use of words that may be offensive. The motto should not be more than 36 letters and spaces for shields or 30 letters and spaces for discs. No numbers, commas, dashes, or dots may be used in the motto. In years past, the motto was almost always written in Latin. Although English is now preferred, other languages may be used (See AFI 84-105, paragraph 3.7.3).
6. The name and DSN telephone and telefax number of the emblem project officer.
The wing historian either endorses the request or returns it to the organization for corrections, if needed.
If endorsed, the historian forwards the emblem package to the MAJCOM, SOA, FOA reviewing/endorsing history office.
The history office at higher echelon reviews the emblem package using the same criteria as the wing historian, and either endorses it to AFHRA/RSO, or returns it for correction.

Guidance and Administration
All requests for emblems and flag drawings are processed through command channels (history offices)to AFHRA/RSO, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6424. The history offices at each echelon above the organization requesting the emblem review can return the package to the originator for reaccomplishment, but the reasons for doing so must be clearly identified. The MAJCOM/HO must endorse the emblem before AFHRA will process it. In all cases the AFHRA will support the decisions of the MAJCOM/HO on the design or disapproval of a proposed emblem. When all requirements are met, AFHRA sends the emblem package to TIOH for final rendition. TIOH will standardize designs for correct sizes, colors, and manufacturing needs; improve elements, if necessary; provide blazon or description and manufacturing notes including cable numbers for full or subdued insignia (patches); insure heraldic correctness; and prepare paintings for patches and drawings for flags. AFHRA receives the final emblem painting within 60 to 90 days of sending it to TIOH and forwards the package (except for flag drawings) to MAJCOM/HOs for distribution to the requesting organization. No organization should order patches, decals, or other renditions until it receives the final emblem package.

Frequently, organizations ask why they should pay for emblem packages when they have good graphics capabilities to design and draw their own emblems. Several good reasons exists to justify the expense of an officially procured emblem package. First, AFI 84-105, paragraph 3.2. requires that an organization use an officially approved and registered emblem. Such an emblem can only be obtained by following the process outlined in the AFI. Second, having a registered emblem provides continuity and standardization in Air Force Heraldry, particularly in an organization when it undergoes personnel change or organizational changes, such as station change, redesignation, or inactivation and subsequent activation. Through all such changes, the organization retains its emblem, with its associated history and symbolism. Third, a registered emblem package provides the organization with a digital copy of the emblem, the approval letter, finished line drawing, subdued color rendition, description including significance and color codes, and, if ordered, flag drawing for an establishment or manufacturing drawing for a unit. Copies of all these are held at the MAJCOM and at AFHRA as backup, in case the emblem package is misplaced at the organization.

AFHRA has observed that units often have quality control problems in procuring patches. The best way to overcome such problems is to include a request for a Manufacturing Drawing in the proposed emblem package. This drawing gives the specifications for correctly manufacturing patches, including the size, which is based on MAJCOM patch specification of 3 and 1/16th inches high and 3 inches wide. TIOH provides such a drawing, for a reasonable extra fee. Some MAJCOMs require that every unit submitting an emblem package order the Manufacturing Drawing, and AFHRA strongly encourages all other units to do so.

When a Organization Inactivates or Moves Without Personnel or Equipment
Every organization's emblem belongs only to that organization and cannot be used by any other organization. Regardless of name changes through redesignations, the emblem remains with its original organization. When an Air Force permanent organization with an approved emblem is scheduled to be inactivated, the flag or guidon and other heraldic items held at local level must be included in the organization's History Box, so that these items can be reissued the next time the organization activates. See AFI 84-103, "Museum Systems," for further guidance on compiling the History Box. When an Air Force organization with an approved emblem is scheduled to move without personnel or equipment but will remain in the same command, it should send its emblem and lineage and honors history files to the MAJCOM history office; that office will pass the files to the reassembled organization at its new location. If the organization is transferred to another command, the heraldic files should be forwarded to AFHRA/RSO, which will process the files to the gaining command.

Requests for Emblem Data
The wing or organizational historian retains a heraldic file of each assigned organization's registered emblem and will provide copies if the information is not available from the unit itself. The MAJCOM history office also retains a heraldic file on each registered emblem of subordinate organizations to answer requests for emblem information. Requests for unit emblems from outside the command may be referred directly to AFHRA/RSO. AFHRA generally treats unofficial requests for emblems as it does all other unofficial inquiries. The inquiry is placed in a queue and answered in turn. Usually, several months are required to answer unofficial inquiries, but veterans and their organizations receive priority. On the other hand, AFHRA lacks the resources to answer requests involving extensive research, such as those sometimes submitted by patch collectors. Such requesters are generally referred to published sources and commercial enterprises.

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