Yeah, SF members are a little sketchy to begin with, they accept the lowest ASVAB score into SF. Throw in a loaded weapon…watch out!
Anyway, does anyone else with Photoshop skills want to try their hand at the symbol?
Quick and dirty mock-up, using a basic AF patch - it has the muted colours (browns), but that’s up to you guys how combat you want it. I assumed colour would be wanted to some degree, hence the logo kept colours and the wings are in (mock-up) gold. All elements can be tinkered with, colour-wise.
The logo works pretty well, but I’m not so sure on the “Who ya gonna call?” tagline being where the unit/MAJCOM designator would be. Unfortunately, I’m willing to bet that something like “USAF GHOSTBUSTERS” would get shot down due to use of the USAF name without authorization. :-/
I drew up a patch a while back of the no-ghost guy in fatigues saluting, with “US MILITARY GHOSTBUSTERS” under it, but due to my artistic shyness, I’ll leave others to find a link to it if they want to see it. >_>;
Yeah, I kind of had the same thought, that the sub-banner probably shouldn’t directly reference the military - not having a lot of time to ponder what else to put there, I just put in the tagline. It can be replaced with pretty much anything.
Repost your saluting guy - don’t be shy. If the artistically inclined see what you had in mind, maybe someone can run with it. I can certainly see good uses for it.
In fact, a certain someone might have a copy of the Sony GB style guide and have access to some silhouettes that might work.
Haven’t had much time to refine it in GIMP (too poor for Photoshop, and have gone ‘legit’ on software since joining the military), but here’s what I got so far. The saluting hand needs some work, I know.
Forgive the ZOMG-green background; was using it as a high-contrast background while filling in areas and whatnot.
EDIT: Haven’t gotten around to patching in the ABU print onto the uniform, either. Job’s been really demanding of late and I haven’t had much time on my hands.
Some units and commands have their motto’s written out in Latin on their patches. How would “Qui Tendis Vocare?” look? (I didn’t take latin so that’s an online translation of “Who are you going to call?”)
The Latin would work very well, IMO. Our own wing’s patch (the Mighty Ninety of FE Warren) has our “Impavide” on our patch. If we could get an accurate translation, that would be impressive-looking as hell.
If you go down that route, I have access to a Latin speaking academic for grammar verification.
(Google’s Latin is about 80%, apparently, and the learning algorithm hasn’t had enough time yet to fill it out)
OH! And as an alternative (and equally applicable to the armed forces)
Venimus, Vidimus, Calcimus Asinum
(or whatever it turns out to be - I’m not good at third person latin)
So, slightly tweaks - I don’t have the (nor the skill, I don’t think) to attempt a uniform and cap on the ghost. And certainly that mock-up salute needs proper doing (he’s got wee stubby arms!)
There’s nothing specific that denote a branch of the armed forces and I had a thought - what if you extend the shield up and create a negative space, where a member can get a small patch of service, and put it there, on top. That way, only one patch needs production, and the individual modifies on top to suit their personal situation.
This is assuming that all armed forces have little wing, rifle, anchor insignia, like the Canadian armed forces (I’ve seen these in surplus shops a lot.) Or small regiment/unit flash, like below (no disrespect to the Dirty Four Dozen, I just had a tough time quickly finding another patch like I had in mind);
Guys, I LOVE the patch!!! A little PDG quote for those of you in the Air Force…and for those wondering…yes, the Air Force symbol and the name are copywrited…but…Every AF member has the intrinsic right to use the symbol or name as they wish…
I would say, in the top rocker, i would put where each member is stationed…like I am stationed at Whiteman AFB, I would put “Whiteman AFB Branch”
Where they’re stationed could work - what happens if you’re reassigned to a new base?
The other thing I was thinking about is if it’s kept military themed, but not specific to branch of service, then the patch could be used almost universally, including service members in other armed forces (I’m pretty sure we have at least a few in the Canadian and British armed forces.) Just a thought, as a generalized system better allows for the possibility of a bulk order of patches.
I think when you guys nail down a final patch, this is going to be extremely cool - an excellent idea, right from the get-go.
When we were still wearing our BDU’s, we would have to change our patch to the new MAJCOM or unit…so it could be the same idea here. We could also incorporate each branches symbol in the top rocker for different branches…the air force wings, for someone in the air force; a star for someone in the army…an anchor for someone in the navy…eagle globe and anchor for marines…
The top rocker seems to be more of a fit to text than symbols (upswept wings would make it a very tall patch, plus we don’t have anything for our Coast Guard brethren!). Perhaps just sew on another patch under the shield-style no-ghost patch to designate branch of service using symbols mentioned by AF-Ghostbuster?
Smaller patches must be easy to come by or produce; I see them every time I dispatch to the field and interact with ICBM capsule crew in their flight suits. I’ve seen small rectangles with their alma mater’s logo on it, and even a small black bomb with a big, red “F” on it, and all seem to be authorized to wear somehow. >_>; I’ll ask around when I dispatch next and see what those officers can suggest when it comes to patches like those.
I asked around today while on a 13-hour maintenance day, and could only manage to get what the patch I’m thinking of is called out of any officer I asked. Apparently, the small patch I was thinking of as to be worn underneath the “generic military no-ghost” logo is called a “pencil pocket patch”, named for the small velcro strip on top of the pencil pocket on a flight suit.
http://www.usafpatches.com/terms.shtml explains and gives examples.
There are a number of online manufacturers that will custom-make these kinds of patches, just like those that can make a no-ghost patch customized to whomever orders it. I will look further into it, regarding pricing and whatnot, as soon as we get a no-ghost design ironed out. Branch-specific pencil pocket patches would be easy to order, I’m sure.
Check this out!
I checked & they don’t have an ABU patch. I’m thinking of getting a desert one w/some velcro for when I go back to the desert later this year.
elsoldao, where are you deploying to? I am headed to Al Udied in April.
Headed to Afganistan in Aug.
Ouch, have fun with that! Well, let me know when your heading out, you will be heading through the Deid, we can meet up and have your last beer for 6 months!
Please keep me in mind in you guys ever figure out a USAF thing. I was an SP during the first Gulf War. It’s ok, I wasn’t one of those shady ones. For those still active here, stay safe and thank you for your service.
I thought I answed already, my bad.
We’ll keep in touch through here, I’ll really need a couple of cold ones before I get there!
In other news: look what I stumbled onto: