Military patch collecting has a long and rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. During World War I, soldiers began to collect patches as a way of commemorating their service and unit affiliations. The patches were often traded or collected as souvenirs, and some soldiers even sewed them onto their uniforms as a way of showing pride in their unit.

After the war, patch collecting became a popular hobby among veterans, and many began to trade and collect patches from other units and branches of the military. The popularity of patch collecting continued through World War II and into the postwar era, with collectors exchanging patches through the mail and at military shows and flea markets.

In the 1950s and 1960s, patch collecting became even more popular, with many collectors seeking out rare and unusual patches from around the world. The growth of the hobby led to the formation of military patch collecting clubs and organizations, which organized shows and exhibitions and provided a forum for collectors to share their knowledge and collections.

Today, military patch collecting remains a popular hobby among veterans and civilians alike, with collectors trading and collecting patches from all over the world. The hobby has also expanded to include other military memorabilia, such as medals, badges, and uniforms, and has become an important way of preserving the history of the military and its units.