History of the Patch

NEAT patch
National Emergency Assistance Training
Version 1

In 1974, Brigadier General Leslie Westberg, Civil Air Patrol National Commander, attended the Hawk Mountain Ranger School in Pennsylvania. There he completed the requirements for, and was awarded the grade of Ranger 1st Class. General Westberg then tasked National Headquarters staff to begin documenting member's emeregency services training, and to recognize and in some manor link together the various related schools being held around the organization. These programs were officially designated by National Headquarters as "National Emergency Assistance Training" (or NEAT) schools.

           
Emergency Services programs that were recognized as NEAT schools, included: Pennsylvania Wing's Hawk Mountain Ranger School, North Central Region's Special Service Corps (aka Blue Beret Encampment), Washington Wing's Challenger School, and Missouri Wing's Pathfinder Technical School. A graduate of any one of these programs was authorized by National Headquarters to wear the NEAT cloth insignia on the left pocket of their olive drab fatigue uniform.


Information provided by:
Christopher Yaroch
February 10, 2011

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