About Civil Air Patrol

Heraldry of our Units

The art of creating crests and coats of arms is not a modern invention; rather it dates back to the 12th century to the times of knights, kings, lords, and ladies. Designing and preserving these crests is an art that aims to serve the tradition and keep it alive.

The elements in heraldry design are not just random symbols; each detail, no matter how small, defines a message, and the use of colors can never be overlooked in the famous crests of history. Understanding crests can be pretty easy if you know the meanings of the colors. Each color is a statement, giving you insight into the history and story. The colors in heraldry are an incredible voyage of discovery.

In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson directed the War Department to establish an office that could organize military insignia such as metal badges, ribbons, patches, and flags.

Heraldry is not a relic of feudal or imperial times of old. Heraldry is alive and well, still helping to solve the timeless problem of making identification as effective as possible.

Click on each unit's emblem or symbolism link to review its heraldry documentation.