Tactical recognition flash
Tactical recognition flash is the official British military term for a coloured patch worn on the right arm of combat clothing by members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. A TRF serves to quickly identify the regiment or corps of the wearer, in the absence of a cap badge. It is similar to, but distinct from, the DZ Flashes worn by members of Airborne Forces.
TRFs should not be confused with formation signs or insignia, which are used to denote the formation and are worn in addition to TRFs by a member of any regiment or corps serving in that formation.
Naval Service
In 2007, the Royal Navy introduced a TRF, the RN corporate logo. This short lived idea was abolished in late 2008 by a decision of the Naval Service Clothing Committee, along with the large "Royal Navy" breast patch, and replaced by a curved shoulder patch with the same wording. Royal Marines wear the 'Royal Marines Commando' or 'Royal Marines Band Service' shoulder flashes once qualified.Royal Navy | Royal Marines |
Army
Royal Armoured Corps | Army Air Corps | Royal Regiment of Artillery | Royal Corps of Signals | Corps of Royal Engineers |
Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers | Royal Logistic Corps | Intelligence Corps | Royal Army Chaplains' Department | Infantry |
Adjutant General's Corps | Royal Army Medical Corps | Royal Army Veterinary Corps | Royal Army Dental Corps | Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps |
Special Air Service | Corps of Army Music | Royal Army Physical Training Corps | Small Arms School Corps | |
Honourable Artillery Company | ||||
Royal Armoured Corps
Army Air Corps
1st Regiment, Army Air Corps | 2nd Regiment, Army Air Corps | 3rd Regiment, Army Air Corps | 4th Regiment, Army Air Corps | 5th Regiment, Army Air Corps |
6th Regiment, Army Air Corps | 7th Regiment, Army Air Corps | 9th Regiment, Army Air Corps | ||
Infantry
Adjutant General's Corps
Royal Military Police | Military Provost Staff | Military Provost Guard Service | Army Legal Services | Staff and Personnel Support | Educational and Training Services |