2026 Compliance Guide

JBSA & San Antonio Uniform Patch Standards

JBSA (Joint Base San Antonio) Specs

We serve Military City USA. Here is what runs through our machines for the Air Force and Army units stationed here. As a local expert, San Antonio Patch Co. manufactures the official standards for Military City USA.

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2026 Joint Base San Antonio Uniform Guide showing correct placement of name tapes, OCP rank insignia, and spice brown US flags.
// TECHNICAL REFERENCE //

Visual Placement Standard

Ensure your squadron is inspection-ready. Reference this schematic for the precise positioning of rank, unit identifiers, and flags on the OCP uniform.

2026 JBSA OCP Uniform Patch Placement Guide

A. Air Force (Lackland & Randolph)

The Standard:
Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
The Rules:
Thread Color: You MUST use Spice Brown (TIOH Cable 67196) for all lettering and principal design elements. If you use black thread for text, it’s out of regs (unless you are a First Sergeant).
Officer vs. Enlisted: Officers wear rank in Spice Brown (except First Lieutenants and Lt. Colonels who use Black).
Size: Squadron patches generally cap out at 4 inches height/width.
Backing: Velcro “Hook” side. It needs to be stitched with a box-x pattern so it doesn’t peel off during field training.

B. Army (Fort Sam Houston)

The Standard:
OCP / Multicam.
The Rules:
Thread Color: Bagby Green (TIOH Cable 67204) is the standard for lettering, often paired with Black for contrast.
The Reverse Flag: We get asked this constantly. “Why is the star field on the right?” On the right shoulder sleeve, the flag must look like it is moving forward into battle (stars leading), not retreating.
IR Tabs: For field gear, we use infrared-reflective honeycomb material for IFF (Identification Friend or Foe).

C. The “Morale Patch” Exception

The Rules:
On Fridays or for flight gear bags, the rules loosen up.
Design:
This is where you can use PVC, funny mascots, or inside jokes.
Restriction:
Keep it professional. If it crosses the line, your Commander will pull it.

Section 2: San Antonio Law Enforcement & Security

It’s not just the military; we outfit the SAPD and private sectors too.

A. SAPD (San Antonio Police Dept) Style

The Look: Classic Embroidery in the Texas “Shield” shape is the standard for local law enforcement.
Shape: Texas law enforcement favors the “Shield” or “Badge” shape, unlike the circular patches common in other states.
Colors: Official Navy Blue background with Gold or Silver metallic thread (depending on rank).
Night Shift: We recommend Reflective Thread. It looks like standard grey in daylight but lights up white when headlights hit it.

B. Private Security (The “Bodyguard” Niche)

The Regulation: Texas DPS Private Security Bureau has strict rules.
Text: Your patch (and back panel) must clearly state “SECURITY” in letters at least 1 inch high.
Material: We recommend PVC (Rubber) for plate carriers. It wipes clean and doesn’t fray like embroidery does when rubbing against a vest all day.

Section 3: Materials & Manufacturing

Why does the material matter? Because San Antonio gets hot.

Woven

Use this for Unit Crests with tiny text or intricate heraldry. Standard embroidery needles turn small text into a blob; Woven Patches keep the heraldry sharp.

PVC (Rubber)

PVC patches are the modern tactical standard. It is waterproof, mud-proof, and doesn’t fade in the Texas sun. Highly recommended for Plate Carriers and Field Gear.

★ Berry Amendment Compliance

If you are a Supply Officer ordering on a federal contract, you might see a “Berry Amendment” clause. This means the patch must be 100% US-made (thread, fabric, and labor). As a factory-direct manufacturer, we can source US-made materials for federal contracts.

Our Capability: We can source US-made materials for these contracts. You must specify this upfront, as standard commercial orders often use imported components to keep costs down for the unit.

Factory Insight

The “Ghost Stitch” Trick

For OCP rank patches, visibility can be tricky with low-contrast colors.

We use a technique called “Ghost Stitching.” We change the direction of the thread grain (vertical vs. horizontal) rather than changing the color. This makes the rank visible up close due to how the light hits the thread, but it stays camouflaged from a distance.

Split-screen macro comparison of an OCP rank patch, showing how ghost stitching blends into camouflage at a 90-degree angle and becomes visible at a 45-degree angle.

Section 4: Ordering for Your Unit or Precinct

I know how the military procurement process works. You have a budget, a GPC card, and a deadline before the next inspection or graduation. Here is how we make the approval process painless for your CO.

A. The “No-Headache” Approval Process

1

Send Your Crest

Email us your unit crest or existing patch design. A vector file (.AI) is best, but a clear photo of an old patch works too.

2

The TIOH Match

We don’t guess colors. We match your design to the official The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) thread codes (Spice Brown 67196, etc.).

3

The Sample Photo

Before we run 500 patches, we stitch one. We email you a high-resolution photo of the actual sew-out. Show this to your Commanding Officer. Once they give the “Thumbs Up,” we run the production line.

B. Turnaround Times

“I need these for BMT Graduation.”

We hear this every week from Lackland.

Standard Production 10–14 Days

Business days (approx).

Rush Services ⚠ Expedite

If you have a BMT graduation or a deployment ceremony and you waited until the last minute, tell us immediately. We can often expedite production to hit the date, but capacity is limited during peak training cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Answers regarding OCP compliance, materials, and ordering.

OCP Standards

What is the official thread color for Air Force OCP patches?

Spice Brown (Cable 67196). This is the required color for all lettering and the primary element of the design. Black thread is only authorized for specific rank insignia (1st Lt / Lt Col) and specific occupational badges.

Uniforms

Do you make custom name tapes for JBSA uniforms?

Yes. We manufacture regulation 5-inch name tapes with 1-inch lettering. We use the official OCP ripstop fabric background and sew the hook backing on with a reinforced stitch so it doesn’t separate from the tape after a few washes.

Backing Options

What is the difference between hook-and-loop and iron-on for tactical vests?

Use Hook-and-Loop (Velcro). Never use iron-on for tactical vests.

Durability: Iron-on glue does not bond well to Cordura nylon (plate carriers). It will peel off in the heat.
Utility: You need to be able to remove the patch to wash the vest or swap unit identifiers. Iron-on is permanent (until it fails); Velcro is modular.

Services

Can you copy a vintage patch for a retirement shadow box?

Yes. We do this often for retirements at Randolph and Fort Sam. If you have an old, faded patch from a decommissioned unit, send us a photo. We can re-digitize it and restore the original colors to make it look brand new for the shadow box display.