Veterans for Christ (VFC) Seal

Recently I was contacted by Rob Johnson, Christian Advisor, USMC Veteran and founder of the Veterans for Christ (VFC).  Rob inquired if there was anything I could do for their official seal. Sadly, lately due to lack of time I have to turn down numerous projects and requests, as demand for my unique style of artwork is growing exponentially. However, every time I get a request having anything to do with helping veterans or related non-profit causes, I would push all things aside and try my best to keep these guys happy. Well, it is the least I can do anyways…  This time was no different, and below is the result.

VFC is a Veterans ministry started around 2005 by Rob Johnson within the Nursing Home Ministry led by Mrs. Michael Weaver, at the City Temple SDA Church in Dallas, Texas.   

According to the nursing home director his veteran had only one constant visitor, Rob Johnson.  Seeing a need, he consulted with the church pastor and 5 other veterans about an idea. This idea was also met and push by Charles Watley, Thea Walker and the late Sammie Price. The idea was formed to just acknowledge some of their veteran members and to include ones outside the church.  Weeks before the event…the nursing home veteran died. Deciding to go through with the event, the acknowledgements went on to include the five Vietnam and WWII church veterans. These awards were presented by the ministry, Congresswoman Eddie B. Johnson and State Representative Yvonne Davis respectively.   As the years passed the ministry has grown to become outreach organization of its own rightly named Veterans for Christ. VFC now includes a project for aging veterans, a founding member of North Central Texas Veteran Coalition (NCTVC), co-laboring on city government boards and to include a yearly Veteran and Memorial Day celebrations.  

Tactical Linguist Concepts (TLC) Logo and NSW JTAC Badge

In the mid-December of last year I was contacted by Mr. Kip Keune, CEO of the TacticalLinguist Concepts (TLC), a company specializing in Asymmetrical Conflict Analysis & Training, Intelligence–Surveillance–Reconnaissance (ISR) and Global Communications Solutions for worldwide operations. Tactical Linguist Concepts currently serves all services within the Department of Defense, National Intelligence Agencies, Defense Contractors and Commercial Corporations across the globe. Mr. Keune was wondering if I could help them with makeover of their company logo as well as turning their shoulder patch into one of my 2.5D versions. It seemed like an interesting project in a few ways. First off, the originals I had to work with were in one case was just a picture of an existing patch, and in another – a 3D rendering of their logo. Both meant only one thing – drawing from scratch. On the other hand – I did not have to work on the concepts, which was a huge time-saver.

 Below is the work I have done for these guys… 

As the company was heavily involved with Navy SEAL and Special Boat Teams training, Mr. Keune has also inquired if I could put final touches for a NSW JTAC operator’s badge/coin design.  These badges/coins were to be awarded to JTAC operators upon successful completing of the training course with their company. Joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) provide final clearance for aircraft weapons release during close-air support operations. I have accepted the challenge. Below are the four final versions of the emblem, accepted by the company as a result of our alliance…

Task Force ODIN: The Sequel…

So it happened that my Task Force Odin saga had a nice and unexpected sequel. I was talking about creation of the both coins in detail in Part 1 and Part 2. Just to recoup, in early February of 2012, I was contacted by Maj. Brian “Blue” Simms, member of Task Force ODIN (name is an acronym for Observe, Detect, Identify, and Neutralize). It is a United States Army aviation battalion created in August 2006 to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) operations to combat insurgent operators of improvised explosive devices in Iraq. At the time, the battalion command decided to create two challenge coins for the unit. A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. Such coins can also be awarded for excellence. In addition, they are also collected by service members. Being a big fan of my work, Brian wanted to see if I could help with the design. If you are interested in how it all went down, you might want to check back my earlier articles. Today I have received a package from Afghanistan, containing the two very coins in a flesh, as well as a nice certificate of appreciation from the TF Odin Command. And of course I couldn’t resist the opportunity to showcase all of the above on this blog, as well as to thank my friends at TF Odin for this wonderful token of appreciation.

 Just to remind, here is the final draft of the first coin:

And here is the coin itself:

Here is the final draft of the second coin:

And the actual coin:

The images don’t really do a full justice to the actual pieces. When you have them in your hands, they feel and look outstanding…

And last, but not least -- the awesome certificate of appreciation I was talking about…

Cool stuff. Thanks guys! Stay frosty and come home safely…

2BN, 307th Regiment

While working on my “Military Insignia 3D” project, quite often I am being approached directly by unit commanders with various requests to recreate their unit insignia for them. The reason being is that the only available images of such insignia are usually of extremely low resolution and poor quality. I see this demand growing exponentially, and not sure if I’ll be able to keep up with it. However, these, by far, are my most cherished and exciting projects. This time it was no different. I was contacted by LTC. Johnny Workman Jr., commander of the 2BN, 307th regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade.  He sent me the best available image of their regimental insignia, which I include below, and asked if there was anything I could do. As I usually do when I get requests like that, I out on hold all my ongoing work and rolled up my sleeves. This was indeed a challenging one, considering the poor quality and low resolution of the “best” image I had to work with. Usually, cases like this mean that I have to start from scratch, having to build an entirely fresh vector image of the insignia, and then work my M-LETT 3D magic in Photoshop. The more challenge – the more exciting it gets (at least for me). Below is the result; you be the judge.

But first, a little bit of regiment’s history. The regiment was constituted on the 5th of August 1917 in the National Army as the 307th Infantry and assigned to the 77th Division. It was Organized 29 August 1917 at Camp Upton, New York and Demobilized 9 May 1919 at Camp Upton, New York.  During World War I, the regiment participated in the following campaigns: Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 1918 and Lorraine 1918. On 24 June 1921, it was reconstituted in the Organized Reserves as the 307th Infantry and assigned to the 77th Division (later re-designated as the 77th Infantry Division).

On 25 March 1942, the regiment was ordered into active military service and reorganized at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. During World War II, the regiment fought on Western Pacific, at Leyte (with arrowhead) and at Ryukyus (with arrowhead). The regiment was inactivated on March 15, 1946 in Japan. On December 17, 1946, the unit was re-activated in the Organized Reserves with Headquarters at Bronx, New York. On May 1, 1959 the 307th was reorganized as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System to consist of the 1st Battle Group, an element of the 77th Infantry Division. On the 26th of March, 1963 it was reorganized to consist of the 1st and 2d Battalions, elements of the 77th Infantry Division. Consequently, the 1st and 2d Battalions were inactivated on December 30th, 1965 and relieved from assignment to the 77th Infantry Division. On October 17th, 1999, the 307th Infantry was withdrawn from the Combat Arms Regimental System, redesignated as the 307th Regiment, and reorganized to consist of the 1st, 2d, and 3d Battalions, elements of the 87th Division (Training Support); 1st, 2d, and 3d Battalions concurrently allotted to the Regular Army. On December 15th, 2009, the 1st, 2d, and 3d Battalions were relieved from assignment to the 87th Division.

The 2nd Battalion, 307th Regiment is currently assigned to 157th Infantry Brigade. The 157th Infantry Brigade plans, synchronizes, and executes pre-deployment training and validation in support of mobilized Reserve Component (RC) units in accordance with Combatant Commander, Department of the Army, FORSCOM, and First Army directives. On order, provides pre-mobilization training assistance for RC units within capabilities.

The Distinctive Unit Insignia consists of a silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, a mailed dexter hand grasping an oak branch fructed Or debruised by a bend wavy Argent charged with a broken chain Sable, on a chief of the last a portcullis of the third. Attached below the shield is a Silver scroll inscribed "CLEAR THE WAY" in Black letters. The mailed gauntlet grasping the oak branch symbolizes the drive through the Argonne Forest in World War I; “A” company of this regiment was part of the famous Lost Battalion. The broken chain represents the rescue of the battalion by the 307th. The bend commemorates the Vesle River and the portcullis of Grand Pre.  The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 307th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves on 21 Apr 1927. It is amended to withdraw the "Organized Reserves" from the designation in 10 Aug 1959. On 28 Jul 1970 the insignia was amended to revise the symbolism. The distinctive unit insignia was redesignated for the 307th Regiment on 8 Apr 1999.  

As always, the above insignia will be available on a limited number of selected quality products via my “Military Insignia” galleries at Zazzle. You may simply follow the direct links in the article to navigate to the corresponding galleries

I will also make my insignia designs available free of charge to any military units and personnel, for any non-profit/non-commercial and charitable causes, benefiting troops and their families. In addition, I would make my designs available free of charge to any military branches, formations and units for any non-commercial internal duty-specific purposes, such as unit-related web design, training materials or presentations, as I did on many occasions in the past.

The above information provided in part by U.S. Army Center of Military History, The Institute of Heraldry, Global Security, and official websites of the above-mentioned units.

Task Force ODIN: Commander’s Coin of Excellence

In the beginning of June 2012, I was once again contacted by my friends from US Army Military Intelligence Task Force ODIN, currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of operation Enduring Freedom.  Just to remind, name is an acronym for Observe, Detect, Identify, and Neutralize. Initially, it was a United States Army aviation battalion created in August 2006 to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) operations to combat insurgent operators of improvised explosive devices in Iraq.


The unit was formed at Fort Hood, Texas, and first deployed in October 2006. At the time, TF ODIN was the Army's only unit, which flew MQ-1C Warrior UAVs. Since then, TF Odin has substantially increased in size. Apparently, this new TF Odin [Enhanced] found themselves in need for a new challenge coin. This time it was supposed to be a Commander’s Coin of Excellence. And since they liked the first coin I helped to create, they got back to me with the task of designing the second one, which I gladly accepted.  The thing is, even though it is fairly time-consuming and rigorous task, I love working on those coins. I have to admit, they are a lot of fun to work with…
Just to recap - a challenge coin is a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. Such coins can also be awarded for excellence. In addition, they are also collected by service members.

This time, the guys knew exactly what they wanted, and I was presented with the full-blown concept. It was based on the original TF Odin emblem on the front and several units’ insignia along with Afghan coat of arms on the back.

However, one obvious problem has presented itself almost immediately.  The back of the coin was not an issue, since it was very similar to the one I designed for them earlier. But the front… This was a full-scale disaster. The original TF Odin emblem resembled a very dark watercolor painting, pretty much a black-greyish blob of Odin on a horseback, accompanied by a pack of wolves, with menacing red-glowing eyes. Not that anything was particularly wrong with it. It’s just that it was almost impossible to implement by using my M-LETT 3D method. The solution was although unfortunate, yet pretty obvious – to completely re-design the entire front of the coin, while staying true to the original concept. The good thing about it was the fact that I was able to give Odin the same appearance as I gave the one from my first coin, hence achieve certain continuity and consistency in the series.  This was a true labor of love, with a few minor back-and -force revisions, but overall my design was accepted pretty much instantly, and here is the final result…

Task Force ODIN (306th MI Bn): Challenge Coin

In early February of 2012, I was contacted by Maj. Brian “Blue” Simms, member of Task Force ODIN (name is an acronym for Observe, Detect, Identify, and Neutralize). It is a United States Army aviation battalion created in August 2006 to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) operations to combat insurgent operators of improvised explosive devices in Iraq.


The unit was formed at Fort Hood, Texas, and first deployed in October 2006. An Army article says the unit is meant to meet "the critical requirement to 'win back the roads' using Army Aviation assets to maintain a persistent stare over demonstrated at-risk areas for IEDs." Army leaders said they created the unit because the United States Air Force provided inadequate or inaccurate close air support. ODIN is the Army's only unit that flies the MQ-1C Warrior unmanned aerial vehicle. Built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the extended-range multi-purpose hybrid UAV has an advanced sensor package incorporating electro-optical sensors, including FLIR, and synthetic aperture radar together with a laser rangefinder and a laser designator, the latter for "painting" targets for strikes with Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs.  By September 2007, the Warrior-Alpha had flown more than 6,000 hours and had contributed to the killing of 3,000 insurgents in Iraq. The Task Force trains operators for active, reserve, and Army National Guard. These analysts work with every type of unit including the military's top secret units. Task Force ODIN received a Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for their work with the 25th Infantry Division. The Army formed a similar unit in Afghanistan, where information provided by ODIN had resulted in the killing or capture of 365 militant leaders, detained 1,335 insurgent foot soldiers, and killed another 1,031 Taliban.

The TF Odin was about to become 306th Military Intelligence Battalion, and the battalion command decided to create two challenge coins for the unit. A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. Such coins can also be awarded for excellence. In addition, they are also collected by service members. Being a big fan of my work, Brian wanted to see if I could help with the design. As I mentioned, the initial plan was to create two coins: one regular and another one specifically for the upcoming Afghanistan rotation. The idea of the unit coin was in the works for quite some time, and Brian supplied multiple ideas and drafts in form of several PowerPoint presentations. The timeframe for the coin was very tight – I would have only two weeks to come up with final draft for the first coin. I also happened to be extremely busy at the time, with few projects on the go. Nevertheless, I decided to accept the challenge, especially considering the fact that this would be my first challenge coin project. As I already mentioned, there was extensive amount of materials provided, however they already had their own version if the final draft, which they were about to present to several manufacturers for quotes. In fact, their final draft wasn’t bad at all (see below); I liked the overall idea. However, I was not blown away by implementation – it needed some serious professional touch. And so I got to work.

First off,   the central image of the coin – the Viking’s face had to be re-designed from scratch, since they were using a copyrighted image found on DeviantArt, and were yet to hear back from the designer… Also, the coin could greatly benefit from my 3D technique when it came to the insignia elements of the design. I also decided to revamp all the fonts and overall composition. They also opted for black metal look with raised silver and gold elements, so the right textures were paramount.  I had less than a week to come up with my version of the final draft, and there it was… They immediately liked it although a few minor changes were suggested. The changes were made, and version 2.1, which you can find below, was born.

At this point, they liked my design to such extent that the battalion's CO made a radical decision: to combine a unit coin with an Afghan rotation coin into just one. However, this would mean a serious re-design of the back. They suggested that 3D map of Afghanistan should be added to the mix (see below).

I instantly disliked the idea of 3D map… First off, it had a serious potential of resembling a giant cow pie in the middle of the design. Secondly, it wouldn’t be obvious enough to convey the Afghan connection, since not everyone is intimately familiar with geography Afghanistan. And so I came up with my own idea for the back of the coin.  It also helped that I already developed this idea earlier for my World Heraldry project. The premise was to combine Afghanistan’s flag, map and coat of arms into one full-color 3D-looking design. This time unit command was sold, and the final version 3.2 was approved for production. My first challenge coin was about to manifest in black metal silver and gold. Can’t wait to have one of these babies in my hand…

USMC Advisory Team, AAT-11, 1st Tanks (Afghanistan): Unit Emblem

In late December of 2011, I was contacted by Maj. Robert Burton, CO of the USMC Advisory Team, AAT-11, 1st Tanks in Afghanistan.  He was asking whether I could help turning a sketch made by one of his Marines into a professional looking logo for his advisory team here in Afghanistan. I liked the sketch, and I instantly liked the challenge. It was a hand-drawn B&W pencil sketch, which actually wasn’t bad at all. That Marine sure could draw. However, once again, this would mean that I had to start from scratch, re-creating multiple complex elements, such as a skull, revolvers, a hat and a ribbon. I also had to come up with my own color scheme and textures for the entire design. Robert also requested that I change the “Wild rebel” text to "Simple Man", and incorporate a scroll with "AAT-11, 1st Tanks". As to the colors scheme, Robert’s only suggestion was to somehow incorporate the colors of the Afghan flag – black, red and green into the design… 
  

The challenge was pretty obvious. But at least in this case I had a workable concept. I accepted the challenge. My first step was to create base vector images for all the separate elements of the design. After vectors of the skull, hat, revolver and scroll were ready, I have decided to recycle one of my Eagle, Globe and Anchor USMC emblems created earlier, and add it to the hat. I also added a bandana, which I planned to texturize into USMC digital desert camo. The next step was to bring it all to life, utilizing my M-LETT 3D technique. Since we were dealing with an armor unit, I decided to give the skull that unbreakable stainless steel look and feel. I also decided to replace somewhat antiquated revolvers from the original sketch with the two modern-day 44. Magnum Colt Anacondas.  On a side note, I have to admit, I have a lot of fun creating my weapons, even though it is an extremely time-consuming and mind-numbing task. A small collection of my side arms designs can be found here. I pay attention to every small detail of the actual weapon, and each design usually involves enormous number of layers and delicate texturing. For my dual-weapon designs, I would usually create just one side view, and then flip the duplicate copy of it. Even though the second gun will not be entirely accurate, since the other-side view should not be a mirror image, I usually let it go… And so I did in this case. 

And last, but not least, I incorporated the Afghan flag colors into the scroll, adding the required text. This one was an enormous fun to work on. What made it even better, apparently Marines were very happy when they received their brand new unit emblem on the Day 1 of the New Year 2012. Stay frosty, Marines, and come home without a scratch! Hopefully this emblem will scare shit out of every bad guy you manage to come across…