Misc Visuals
What Every Patch and Insignia Means on a U.S. Military Uniform
Military uniforms in the United States are as recognizable as they are iconic. Whether it’s in films such as Top Gun Maverick, television shows like M.A.S.H., video games like Call of Duty, or in real life, Americans are exposed to U.S. military uniforms on a regular basis. Most often represented is the active duty combat uniform which is officially called the battle dress uniform or BDU. This camouflaged uniform is complete with a series of patches indicating the identity of the soldier, the branch the soldier is enlisted in, their rank and so much more. What do all of those patches and pins mean? Luckily, the folks at Wizard Pins have created this ultimate visual guide to what every patch you might find on a military uniform means.
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Differences between military patches on Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and even the newly formed Space Force are surprisingly similar. Differences appear to be largely thematic between each military branch. For example, rank patches on U.S. Air Force uniforms resemble wings. Other patches are reserved for those belonging to special divisions, units, and those who have special skills. The visual does an exceptional job of explaining what each patch signifies and where they can be found.
On combat uniforms, rank patches are intentionally modest in appearance to prevent enemy combatants from being able to easily identify leadership from a distance. U.S. Army uniforms, U.S. Marine Corps uniforms, U.S. Navy uniforms, U.S. Coast Guard uniforms, U.S. Air Force uniforms, and U.S. Space Force uniforms may have subtle differences, but they are all uniforms representing one of the largest military forces on the planet.
The team at Mortgage Calculator released a study examining COVID-19’s impact on the American housing market. The pandemic hugely impacted the global economy, creating shifts in the prices of groceries, cars, gas, and homes. Generally, home prices skyrocketed all around the country. Their research showed that these ten U.S. cities had the largest home price increases:
- Irvine, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Fayetteville, NC
- Miami, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Buffalo, NY
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Newark, NJ
- San Bernardino, CA
- Petersburg, FL
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There are many reasons that home prices rose so much between 2020 and 2024. The economy was chaotic and uncertain during the pandemic, with average people feeling unequipped to navigate the changes. Many people lost jobs, especially those who held public-facing positions. Others switched to remote work, forcing them to make their home their workspace. For some, this was an ideal situation; others wished for a new home to accommodate their new way of working. Unemployment rose to a higher rate than it had in 80 years. This situation left many seeking new situations, but just as many felt they should plant deeper roots instead.
There were not enough houses to fit the number of people searching for a move or first-time home ownership. Interest rates soared. People moved out of city centers to rural and suburban communities. This left the housing market in flux with skyrocketing prices, as we can see from the in-depth research presented in this chart.
The team at Sightmark offered us a look into the world’s most impressive sniper shots with a chart showing how the longest shots ever made measure up. Their display is rich with details, including the sniper’s origin country, the weapon and ammo used, and, of course, the length of the shot with handy comparison visuals that highlight the skill needed to make these incredible shots.
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These were the longest sniper shots made, according to their research:
- Viacheslav Kovalskyi (Ukraine) – 2.36 mile shot
- JTF 2 Sniper (Canada) – 2.2-mile shot
- 2 Cdo Regt Sniper (Australia) – 1.75-mile shot
- Ukrainian National Guard Sniper (Ukraine) – 1.68-mile shot
- Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison (United Kingdom) 1.54 mile shot
- Corporal Rob Furlong (Canada) – 1.51 mile shot
- Master Corporal Arron Perry (Canada) – 1.44 mile shot
- Sergeant Brian Kremer (United States) – 1.43-mile shot
- Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock (United States) – 1.42-mile shot
- South African Special Forces Sniper (South Africa) – 1.32-mile shot
We can see that some of the names of the top snipers have been withheld from public records for reasons of military confidentiality. Many of these snipers belong to their nation’s most elite military units, undertaking dangerous and highly secretive missions. The data shows us the precision skill it takes to be one of the world’s best long-distance marksmen. Helpful context provides further jaw-dropping statistics. For example, Kovalski’s shot over 2.36 miles was longer than the Washington Mall. He had a spotter helping him with conditions, but he missed his first shot, breaking the record with his second.
The United States is home to a wealth of incredible amusement parks, offering experiences for both families and adrenaline junkies. With so many options, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. Fortunately, a new chart from the Florida Rentals team ranks the nation’s top parks, making it easier to plan your next adventure.
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The rankings are based on several key factors:
- Park size
- Total attractions available
- Number of roller coasters in operation
- Themed areas within the park
- Ticket pricing
- Reviews from Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, claimed the top spot. Known as the second-oldest theme park in the country, Cedar Point boasts the highest number of mechanical rides worldwide that earned it a Guinness World Record. This iconic destination is celebrated for its legendary roller coasters, including fan favorites like Raptor, Millennium Force, Maverick, Gatekeeper, and Steel Vengeance.
The top ten parks featured in the chart include:
- Cedar Point
- Six Flags Great Adventure
- Six Flags Great America
- Kings Island
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Hersheypark
- Disneyland
- Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s California Adventure
This chart serves as a handy resource for anyone planning a theme park getaway. With insights on locations, ticket prices, and standout features, it’s the ultimate tool for choosing your next thrilling escape.
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