Do Pathfinder wings have to be flush with the pocket on ASUs?

I consider myself an expert on this subject since I am the President of The National Pathfinder Association. The original torch worn on the sleeve by WWII a Pathfinders was canted to resemble flight or descent from the sky. When the larger cloth torch was designed Pathfinders in the 50s and 60s wore the cloth torch on the pocket of their duty uniforms canted in the traditional way. In the 60s it was still worn on the sleeve of the dress greens canted. In AR 672-5-1 (awards)dated May 1961
Doesn't specify if it should be canted but we know it was canted because it was still a cloth torch. When the badge came out in 1968 the regulation (AR 672-5-1 change 19 dated 20 June 1969) doesn't specify in writing if it should be straight or canted but the 9 photos clearly show it straight. 166.1 d. States; for purposes of centering the Pathfinder the center of mass of the entire badge should be considered not the vertical axis of the torch.
Having said all this, The NPA is a strong proponent of the torch being canted in the original style without regard to if you served in a Pathfinder unit or not.

current DA Pam 670-1 doesn't specify in writing if it should be straight or canted but the 2 photos show them straight.

Eric H.

They can tilt them if they want.. But if you want to get promoted maybe make you uniform look more professional, we tilted ours as well, and even folded corners back when seeing them on BDU's/DCU's I would tell my NCO's "go for what you know"..... But it's a selection process and you photo says A LOT about you. Just food for thought.

I'm not sure what you/he mean by tilt the "wings." I know I wear mine with the torch as close to straight up and down as I can. The pathfinder badge is hard to wear because it is not symmetrical. But I can pretty much guarantee that if he has to caveat it with "active pathfinders" do something, he is probably wrong.

Bogus. My torch is straight per 670-1, and I'm an E7 as well.

It is my understanding that the "tilted" pathfinder badge originated during WW II. The pathfinders who spearheaded the Normandy Invasion wore their torch on their left sleeve tilted at an angle (dress uniform). having served in the 101st Pathfinder Company/Platoon/Detachment during the mid to late 80's, we wore our torches tilted at an angle on our Greens/Blues. After leaving an active duty pathfinder unit (DS Duty) I continued to tilt my torch (much to the chagrin of a few LTs who attempted to correct me). Concerning DA photos, bets to level it if you want to get promoted. Back in the day, all members of pathfinder units were on jump status and wore the maroon beret. Ever seen a paratrooper, pathfinder, ranger, SF, etc. wear there beret according to AR 670-1 (level across the forehead, unit flash and insignia above the left eye)? Me neither-lol.

Many people base their decision to cant their torch off of the cover of Pathfinder Ops itself. I'm not saying that it is right, and I personally do not do so, however as 670-1 does not specifically say how to wear the torch this may be their basis for argument.
I have also heard that it is reserved for individuals who have actually "performed" their duties as a Pathfinder as opposed to simply earning the badge and skill set although this clearly this can't be referenced anywhere, simply tradition perhaps.

I was in the 5-101st Pathfinders. Yes, if you are in an active pathfinder company we tilt our wibgs

If I was on a promotion or selection board and it came down to how the pathfinder badge was worn. I’m picking the guy/gal with the smoke plume parallel to the pocket, which makes the torch portion tilted. It just doesn’t make sense to me that the smoke would dip down below the torch. I’ve been wearing it yelled for over 25 years, since I was a SGT. So if I’m on that Soldier’s board- active or not he is a go!

The idea about tilting the badge reminds me of when I graduated from Ranger School. The RI told us that we were "authorized" to sew our tabs on with white thread because we were a winter class. But I'm pretty sure that while that was true from a Ranger Department tradition perspective, it wouldn't fly on an official photo from an AR 670-1 perspective. I suspect that any variation on how the pathfinder badge is worn based upon unit assignment would fall into the same category of tradition vs correct by the AR.

I do not remember doing any cant/tilt. Was he taking the photo for some vanity thing or for an official photo? Looking at AR 670-1, DA Pam 670-1, I was unable to find the exception to tilt/cant his pathfinder badge, but if urban legend suggests an exception to policy, then by all means let him take the photo with a backwards garrison cap and pro-mask inserts taped to his face.