"Regimental Badge Area"

[ryanwood]

Dear all,

I am hoping for some help! I am a former RAMC doctor. In the medical world we use the term "Regimental Badge Area" to describe a patch of skin over the outer aspect of the shoulder. I am hoping to write a paper of interest about this to submit to the Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps suggesting that 1) this have never been an entirely accurate term and 2) we should now be referring to this area of skin as the "Tactical Recognition Flash patch".

My understanding is that British regiments generally did not wear regimental badges on their sleeves; the hat, cap or helmet being the usual places; and that during the First World War, metal regimental shoulder titles (usually initials) were worn but not an actual badge.

Is someone able to clarify this for me? Have regimental badges ever routinely been worn on the upper, outer part of the shoulder??

Many thanks!!!

[Peter Brydon]

I just wonder what the area you refer to is called in the ( non RAMC ) medical world ?

P.B.

[Milmed]

Hi Doc,
I would have to say it may refer to the Regimental Title. A curved cloth badge worn on the shoulder seam (lower aspect) of battledress c. WWII

Regards
Steven

[Fatboy Ken]

Regimental Badge Area,

This is an area whereby the soldier would wear either an Epaulette or Shoulder title badge [or a tattoo; such as Parachute Wing/Commando Dagger] I know of a number of soldiers who have tattoos of their Corps badge on their upper shoulder, as I expect most of the old soldiers on here do.

All of these would have been and still are worn by soldiers.

Unit Formation Badges
Trade Badges
Rank Badges

It is an area where "we" can see the rank of whom we are talking to, and to also know if this individual is capable of any tasking we ask of him, is he a commander or sub-commander etc.

TRF's are not a new addition to the army, but have been reintroduced lately, as in the 70's & 80's we in the RCT never had them, but !! we wore shoulder titles, so in that aspect, a TRF would not be an approapriate badges to look for, also as a doctor, it is important to realise that you'll not only be treating UK soldiers, but a number of other countries soldiers, including enemy soldiers, of whom the international war crimes lawyers may be looking for, and the only way to recognise these individuals is through their "REGIMENTAL ARM BADGES", which will give lots of information to those with the knowledge.

IMO it would be more important for you to be looking for any number of badges, and not just a TRF.

Ken

[ryanwood]

The term "regimental badge area" is used by everyone in medicine in the UK to describe a small patch of skin over the shoulder that is just supplied by a branch of the Axillary nerve. This can be damaged when you, for example, dislocate your shoulder. At medical school - students in the UK are all taught that this is the regimental badge area.

My slightly tongue in cheek paper is suggesting that actually the regimental badge (which non-military people and most docs in the country would think of as something looking like a cap badge) is never really worn in this position (which Fatboy Ken has very accurately located).

Today - that area is really where the TRF sits so my co-author (a serving RAF doc) and I are proposing a change in terminology to TRF area. As I say, it is all a bit tongue in cheek but I know that the guys who read the Medical Journal of the RAMC will be interested in the historical side of things as much as anything.

Thanks for the replie sop far though...! Have been reading through the forum a lot and wound not have come to this site if it wasn't for this little project of mine. Some fascinating stuff on here

[Sunray9]

I know one former Royal Marine who had the face of an RSM tatooed on his bum !

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by Fatboy Ken

Regimental Badge Area,

TRF's are not a new addition to the army, but have been reintroduced lately, as in the 70's & 80's we in the RCT never had them,

Ken

Hi Ken,

Us Air Despatchers did but have to admit not on No.2 Dress.

They were worn on Dennison smocks, DPM, shirts, overalls and flying suits.

Regards

Chris

[Fatboy Ken]

Hiya Chris,

How did i miss this !!

You Air Despatchers always thought you were slightly "above" the rest of us. (Giggle)

Ken

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by Fatboy Ken

Hiya Chris,

How did i miss this !!

You Air Despatchers always thought you were slightly "above" the rest of us. (Giggle)

Ken

That's cos we wus flying around looking at the view in between chucking boxes out the back of a C-130.