BUTTERFLY CLUTCH FOR BADGES AND PINS

These devices are fairly self-explanatory—they serve as a receptacle for the pin on a badge or lapel insignia that’s been inserted through dress-uniform fabric. Squeeze the “butterfly wings” on the back of the clutch, insert the badge/insignia pin into the small hole in the center, then release the wings to secure the device to the fastener.

Just like buttons for shirts and pants, these fasteners are the sort of item that one thinks about only when they’re needed and they can’t be found. The Wikipedia entry describing these types of fasteners claims that they’re sometimes referred to as “dammits, especially in military circles, after the phrase one says when one [the clutch] belonging to an important badge or medal is lost.” We suspect that, depending on the situation, even saltier language might be used, but the takeaway is that you should always have a few of these fasteners as backups should you find one missing just when you need it most.