Flag and Etiquette
Committee
Uniform FAQ

USPS Name Tag Specifications

For greater area of identification and when engaged in a USPS activity, members should wear a regulation name tag (or name plate), especially when among those with whom they do not frequently associate. This applies whether in uniform, blazer or any other attire

Style. A name tag is made of black plastic, measuring roughly three inches in length and one inch in width; however, dimensions may be increased to accommodate exceptionally long names, a second title line or a burgee. The name tag has a narrow white border, either beveled or flat. The lettering may be done using either engraving or dye sublimation techniques.

Lettering. The name tag bears on the top line the name of the wearer, without rank or grade. First names (or the second if the first is not preferred) may be spelled fully or appropriately abbreviated by initial or by “Wm.”, “Chas.”, “Robt.”, etc. Nicknames such as Bud, Chick or Ginny may be used if in good taste. The name is in white Gothic capital letters, no larger than seven thirty-seconds inch in height (letter height, as defined by manufactures, is the distance between centers of top and bottom horizontal strokes of the capital letter E.) The second line (and third if more room is needed) bears, in white Gothic capital letters, no larger than three-sixteenths inch in height, one of the following on each line:

• The name of the member’s squadron (without the words “Power Squadron”).
• The wearer’s office (not rank) or past office or the name of a committee on which he serves (treasurer, membership committee, etc.). The appropriate department head may, if he so elects, prescribe the limits of such designations, particularly if the cost of the tag is assumed out of official funds. Committee names and positions may be appropriately abbreviated if necessary but full spelling is preferred. See “Common USPS Abbreviations”. Squadron, district and national information should not be mixed (i.e., a district or national office should not appear on a name tag with a squadron name.) A name tag with a past district or squadron office should not contain the name or flag of a squadron or district different from the one where the office was served.
• The words “U. S. Power Squadrons” (with periods after "U" and "S"). This style is appropriate when outside USPS environment and may be added as a third line where appropriate.
• Unless the wearer is a chief commander, a vice commander or a “past” of either, the name tag should not include the wearer’s rank.
• Name tags should not contain a date or term of office.

Burgees on. Members may include on their name tag a miniature representation of their squadron burgee, but such a device is not appropriate on a tag with a district or national designation. District officers may, during their tenure in office, include a miniature representation of their district’s flag, provided that the officer’s district is identified and his/her squadron is not named. In both of these instances the depiction is to be consistent with the organization named. A member may wear, in lieu of his/her squadron burgee or district flag a depiction of the United State ensign, shown flat rather than waving.

Placement. The name tag is worn on the uniform on the right breast at approximately the same level as grade or senior member insignia and in a comparable position on the blazer. It is recommended that is also be worn on casual attire to promote identification.

The following information is from the Tailor's Guide in Appendix B of the USPS Operations Manual:

Name plate. The standard USPS nameplate (name tag) measures one (1”) inch in width and roughly three (3”) inches in length. These dimensions may be increased to accommodate exceptionally long names, a second title line or a burgee, either beveled of flat.

The name, on the first line, is in white Gothic capital letters, no larger than seven thirty-seconds (7/32) inch in height (Letter height, as defined by manufactures, is the distance between centers of top and bottom horizontal strokes of the capital letter E.) Subsequent lines should be no larger than three sixteenths (3/16) inch in height and bear one of the following:

1. The name of the squadron, or if appropriate, the district;
2. A current or past office or a current committee or
3. The words U.S. Power Squadrons (note the use of periods in this context). If desired, “U. S. Power Squadrons” may be shown as a third line. (Neither rank nor grade should be on the name plate.)

The name tag may contain a depiction of the squadron burgee or district flag. The depiction must be consistent with the squadron or district named. A depiction of the U.S. ensign displayed accurately and flat may be portrayed in lieu of either of the above.

       

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