Depending on the type of garment, Air Force subdued cloth rank insignia is attached either by being sewn directly onto a piece of clothing, with a Velcro “hook and loop” fastener, or by being slid over a tab created just for that purpose. Subdued cloth insignia also comes with the rank insignia set against one of two camo-pattern backgrounds used on utility uniforms—the Airman Battle Uniform and the Operational Camouflage Pattern, or ABU and OCP for short—or a drab, monotone field. Between 1 October 2018 and 1 April 2021, uniforms manufactured with either camo pattern may be worn as the Air Force phases out the ABU, which was officially introduced with a mandatory wear date of 1 November 2011.
Use the “Pattern” and “Style” selections to the right to specify a subdued cloth insignia for the E-8 First Sergeant ranking that has the appropriate camo and attachment method for your uniform need. For example, select “Rank with Velcro” and “OCP” for a rank insignia that attached to the Velcro pad on front of the OCP coat. (
Note: the subdued cloth E-8 First Sergeant rank insignia for the ABU coat is not available on this page.
Click here and select “ABU” along with the appropriate size.)
Use the reference chart below if you’re unsure of the insignia type and don’t have access to AFI -36-2903.
| Uniform/Garment | Selections |
| OCP Coat | Rank with Velcro, OCP
Sew-on, OCP |
| ABU Coat (Officer) | Sew-on, ABU |
| ABU Coat (Enlisted) | Shoulder chevrons (go) |
| OCP Patrol Cap (Officers) | Sew-on, OCP |
| ABU Patrol Cap (Officers) | Sew-on, ABU |
| APECS | Gortex Loop, ABU |
| Improved Rain Suit | Gortex Loop, ABU |
| Sage Green Fleece | Rank with Velcro, ABU |
| Coyote Brown Fleece | Rank with Velcro, ABU |
| Woodland Gore-Tex Jacket | Gortex Loop, OCP |
| ECWCS | Gortex Loop, OCP |
More E-8 First Sergeant Insignia and Devices