Patches & Badges at Recon Company – Rubber patches, Velcro badges and Bundeswehr badges for service and equipment

In a tactical context,patches and badges fulfil two functions: marking and identification. Blood group, medic status, unit affiliation – these are not mere accessories, but information relevant to operations. Our range covers both: official Bundeswehr badges and Velcro badges for clothing and equipment, as well as morale patches for personal expression. You’ll find suitable mounting systems in our ‘Accessories’ category.

Rubber patches, embroidered or woven – an overview of the differences

PVCrubber patches are waterproof, dimensionally stable and mud-resistant – and can be repositioned in seconds thanks to their Velcro backing. Note for extreme conditions: In very cold weather, PVC patches can become brittle; when exposed to extreme heat, they tend to stick together. Anyone operating in alpine or tropical conditions should bear this in mind when making their selection. Embroidered badges have a raised, three-dimensional texture and are the classic standard for uniform clothing and beret badges. Woven patches are flatter and more detailed – and, thanks to their smooth, thread-free surface, are often more resistant to mechanical abrasion than embroidery, as there are no individual threads protruding that could be torn by thorns or undergrowth.

Beret badges – metal, embroidery or wire mesh

The standard Bundeswehr beret badge is made of metal – standardised, compliant with service regulations and widely used. The high-quality alternative is the hand-embroidered beret badge made from wire mesh: it features finer workmanship and a more three-dimensional effect, and is particularly popular amongst officers and for the dress uniform. We stock both variants in our range – the metal badge for day-to-day service, and the wire mesh badge for ceremonial occasions.

Velcro insignia – compatibility with clothing and MOLLE systems

Velcro patches are only as effective as the Velcro surface to which they are attached. Combat shirts, field blouses and tactical jackets have standardised Velcro surfaces on the shoulders, chest and sleeves – our patches are designed to fit these standard sizes. Additional Velcro surfaces can be fitted to MOLLE carriers and plate carriers. Important: The hook side of the Velcro fastening must always be on the patch, and the loop side on the clothing – not the other way round, as this could damage other fabrics.

Medic, IR patches, blood group, morale – which patch for which purpose

Medic patches and blood group insignia are mission-critical: clearly positioned, instantly legible – leaving no room for creative interpretation. In professional contexts, IR (infrared) patches are also used: they are invisible to the naked eye but clearly visible under night-vision devices and serve to distinguish friend from foe in the dark. Glow-in-the-dark (GID) patches complement the medic marking for situations without night-vision technology – they continue to glow for several hours after exposure to light. Moral patches, on the other hand, are a personal expression on one’s kit – ranging from classic unit motifs to Recon’s own rubber patches.

Recon service for public authorities and emergency services

• Discounts for government agencies and their personnel – available on request
• Field post delivery worldwide for soldiers and emergency services personnel abroad
• Expert advice from the Recon team – online or in person at the shop in Salzgitter
• ISO 9001 certification: Recon Company is certified to ISO 9001 – audited quality processes in procurement and order fulfilment