# Question about U.S. Army unit insignia worn on uniforms **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 1, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749 "2010-10-01T17:29:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/1 "2010-10-01T17:29:08Z")
Suppose you see U.S. Army soldier in full combat gear. Without prior knowledge about what units are operating in what area and without seeing the soldier’s dog tags, can you identify with which unit he is currently serving? Will the uniform have appropriate marks indicating his specific regiment/brigade/company/platoon? What would these insignia look like and where would I find them assuming they exist at all? I’m specifically interested in the modern U.S. Army uniform for active combat soldiers but if you want to provide a similar answer for other military services, possibly in other times, then the comparison would be welcomed. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/2 "2010-10-01T17:43:43Z")
Missed edit window. I said “Brigade” above when I meant to say “Battalion”. Sincere apologies for the routine idiocy on my part. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/3 "2010-10-01T19:11:55Z")
By combat gear you mean the current Army ACU uniform? On the left shoulder there is a unit patch. That patch will signify which unit the soldier is in. Usually it is for a Brigade Combat Team or division. But other headquarters also have their own patches. The unit patch on the right shoulder signifies a unit that the soldier has been in combat with. Not necessarily the current unit he is in. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/4 "2010-10-01T19:12:29Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > … I said “Brigade” above when I meant to say “Battalion”. … Ya get points for just knowing that there’s a difference! Some insignia has become so much a part of popular culture that even civilians like me recognize them; [1st Infantry Division](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_1st_Infantry_Division_SSI.svg) (The Big Red One), [1st Cavalry Division](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1st_Cavalry_Division_-_Shoulder_Sleeve_Insignia.svg) (which come in multiple [subdued](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Pace_in_Iraq_-_Dec_of_2006.jpg) [colors](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Size1-army.mil-2007-12-13-143938.jpg)), which is subordinate to the III Corps. But I would guess that III Corps [insignia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:3_Corps_Shoulder_Sleeve_Insignia.svg) was from some Japanese car or electronics company :smack:. Till somebody that isn’t SEWAGing shows up, go [here](http://www.usarmypatches.com/) and you’ll see not only the full color “dress” insignia from WW1 & later, but the subdued “field” insignia too. CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/5 "2010-10-01T19:19:44Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > By combat gear you mean the current Army ACU uniform? Yes, I should have been clearer. > [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > > > … I said “Brigade” above when I meant to say “Battalion”. … > > Ya get points for just knowing that there’s a difference! Many thanks. So levels of organization below the regiment are not indicated on the uniform? ---
**Author:** ![Spiny\_Norman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Spiny\_Norman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiny_Norman)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/6 "2010-10-01T19:24:13Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > Suppose you see U.S. Army soldier in full combat gear. Without prior knowledge about what units are operating in what area and without seeing the soldier’s dog tags, can you identify with which unit he is currently serving? Will the uniform have appropriate marks indicating his specific regiment/brigade/company/platoon? What would these insignia look like and where would I find them assuming they exist at all? > > I’m specifically interested in the modern U.S. Army uniform for active combat soldiers but if you want to provide a similar answer for other military services, possibly in other times, then the comparison would be welcomed. Used to be in the Danish army - and as per regulations, at least, combat gear had no unit identification at all, by design. Your uniform would show your name, rank and nationality, no more. Soldiers being soldiers, badges and symbols showed up on vehicles etc., and non-combat uniforms would be festooned with heraldry and colour codes, but for combat, you were not supposed to show your unit at all. ---
**Author:** ![hdc\_bst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/9f8e36/32.png) [@hdc\_bst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hdc_bst)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/7 "2010-10-01T19:58:56Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > So levels of organization below the regiment are not indicated on the uniform? That is correct. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/8 "2010-10-01T20:05:21Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Till somebody that isn’t SEWAGing shows up, go [here](http://www.usarmypatches.com/) and you’ll see not only the full color “dress” insignia from WW1 & later, but the subdued “field” insignia too. > > CMC fnord! Cool, I have a different 13th Armored [Black Cat Division] patch on my dads field jacket. Ill have to get a picture of it and send it in to these guys. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/9 "2010-10-01T21:06:31Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > > [@Loach](#): > > > > By combat gear you mean the current Army ACU uniform? > > Yes, I should have been clearer. > > > [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > > > Ya get points for just knowing that there’s a difference! > > Many thanks. > > So levels of organization below the regiment are not indicated on the uniform? The term regiment is a bit odd in the Army. The Army did away with the regimental system decades ago. Instead of division/regiment units are broken up by division/brigade. Except when it isn’t. But in many cases where the term regiment is still used it is more for historical linage than any other reason. In general unit patches are only down to the level in which a unit can be considered independent. Most troops usually wear a division patch. But there are plenty of independent brigades also. And then there are troops that are attached directly to corps or higher commands. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/10 "2010-10-01T21:12:27Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > > > … I said “Brigade” above when I meant to say “Battalion”. … > > Ya get points for just knowing that there’s a difference! > > Some insignia has become so much a part of popular culture that even civilians like me recognize them; [1st Infantry Division](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_1st_Infantry_Division_SSI.svg) (The Big Red One), [1st Cavalry Division](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1st_Cavalry_Division_-_Shoulder_Sleeve_Insignia.svg) (which come in multiple [subdued](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Pace_in_Iraq_-_Dec_of_2006.jpg) [colors](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Size1-army.mil-2007-12-13-143938.jpg)), which is subordinate to the III Corps. But I would guess that III Corps [insignia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:3_Corps_Shoulder_Sleeve_Insignia.svg) was from some Japanese car or electronics company :smack:. > > Till somebody that isn’t SEWAGing shows up, go [here](http://www.usarmypatches.com/) and you’ll see not only the full color “dress” insignia from WW1 & later, but the subdued “field” insignia too. > > CMC fnord! The III Corps insignia is supposed to be a [caltrop](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltrop). As a former member of the 1st Cavalry Division (part of III Corps) I always thought it fitting that our higher headquarters symbol was something designed to cripple cavalry. And I wasn’t SEWAGing. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/11 "2010-10-01T21:15:21Z")
> [@Spiny\_Norman](#): > > > [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > > > Suppose you see U.S. Army soldier in full combat gear. Without prior knowledge about what units are operating in what area and without seeing the soldier’s dog tags, can you identify with which unit he is currently serving? Will the uniform have appropriate marks indicating his specific regiment/brigade/company/platoon? What would these insignia look like and where would I find them assuming they exist at all? > > > > I’m specifically interested in the modern U.S. Army uniform for active combat soldiers but if you want to provide a similar answer for other military services, possibly in other times, then the comparison would be welcomed. > > Used to be in the Danish army - and as per regulations, at least, combat gear had no unit identification at all, by design. Your uniform would show your name, rank and nationality, no more. > > Soldiers being soldiers, badges and symbols showed up on vehicles etc., and non-combat uniforms would be festooned with heraldry and colour codes, but for combat, you were not supposed to show your unit at all. The Israeli military is even more minimalistic - no names, and only officers wear rank insignia. But just like with the Danes, there’s plenty of personalization, both at the unit and individual levels. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/12 "2010-10-01T21:17:47Z")
As an aside I always found it interesting the old insignia for the [45th division](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)) (pre 1940). The 45th used to be a full national guard division but is now the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/13 "2010-10-02T03:11:58Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > As an aside I always found it interesting the old insignia for the [45th division](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)) (pre 1940). The 45th used to be a full national guard division but is now the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. You probably meant to show this pre-Nazi insignia of theirs: [File:USA - 45 INF DIV Swastika.svg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USA_-_45_INF_DIV_Swastika.svg) ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/14 "2010-10-02T03:26:52Z")
[QUOTE=Loach] The III Corps insignia is supposed to be a [caltrop](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltrop). As a former member of the 1st Cavalry Division (part of III Corps) I always thought it fitting that our higher headquarters symbol was something designed to cripple cavalry. And I wasn’t SEWAGing. [/QUOTE] What’s **SEWAG** ing? I’m guessing there’s a **W** ild- **A** ss **G** uess in there but I’m at sea otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/15 "2010-10-02T04:14:49Z")
Many thanks for all the kind and informative replies. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/16 "2010-10-02T05:26:03Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > What’s **SEWAG** ing? … **S** emi\*\* E\*\*ducated **W** ild **A** ss **G** uessing, which I , former member of nothing, was doing. While **Loach** , former member of the 1st Cavalry, was not. EWAG = I know enough about the subject to actually participate in the conversation \> SEWAG I know enough about the subject to know when to shut-up and listen, unless I really want to embarrass myself \> WAG = I don’t know shit! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/17 "2010-10-02T06:14:34Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > > [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > > > What’s **SEWAG** ing? … > > **S** emi\*\* E\*\*ducated **W** ild **A** ss **G** uessing, which I , former member of nothing, was doing. While **Loach** , former member of the 1st Cavalry, was not. > > EWAG = I know enough about the subject to actually participate in the conversation \> SEWAG I know enough about the subject to know when to shut-up and listen, unless I really want to embarrass myself \> WAG = I don’t know shit! > > CMC fnord! Lovely, useful terms. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/18 "2010-10-02T10:37:31Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > In general unit patches are only down to the level in which a unit can be considered independent. Most troops usually wear a division patch. But there are plenty of independent brigades also. And then there are troops that are attached directly to corps or higher commands. Units below the Brigade level cannot wear distinctive insignia. A small independant group of specialized troops must wear the patch of whomever they are attached to. It will be a BCT or higher. Since you mentioned full combat gear, I will point out that the 101st Airborne (_cough_ air assault _cough_) Soldiers wear their division patch on their sleeve, and insignia on their helmets to distinguish their particular brigade. Some of those brigade insignias can even tell you what battlion they are in within that brigade. And, certain units smaller than even battalion wear distinctive insignia on their helmets. Their Pathfinder Company for instance. This is not an official Army thing though, and they can’t wear these shapes and designs on their actual uniforms. They wear them on their combat helmets. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/19 "2010-10-02T10:44:19Z")
> **[101st Airborne Division](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101st_Airborne_Division)** > > Vietnam WarPersian Gulf War > Global War on Terrorism > The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) ("Screaming Eagles") is a light infantry division of the United States Army that specializes in air assault operations. It can plan, coordinate, and execute multiple battalion-size air assault operations to seize terrain. These operations can be conducted by mobile teams covering large distances, fighting behind enemy lines, and working in austere environments with limited or degraded infrastructure.... Around the middle of this page will show the current structure of the 101st. There is a little shape next to the name of each Brigade. Diamonds, Hearts, Toris, etc. That is what is worn on the helmet. Some brigades even put a number on the shape to denote which battalion. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749/20 "2010-10-02T12:08:02Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > > [@Spiny\_Norman](#): > > > > Used to be in the Danish army - and as per regulations, at least, combat gear had no unit identification at all, by design. Your uniform would show your name, rank and nationality, no more. > > > > Soldiers being soldiers, badges and symbols showed up on vehicles etc., and non-combat uniforms would be festooned with heraldry and colour codes, but for combat, you were not supposed to show your unit at all. > > The Israeli military is even more minimalistic - no names, and only officers wear rank insignia. But just like with the Danes, there’s plenty of personalization, both at the unit and individual levels. As ex U.K. Special Forces we didn’t wear names, rank, or insignia or carry our distinctivly coloured berets with us when working, though I think that our very personalised uniform and kit preferences might have suggested a clue to who we were. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-u-s-army-unit-insignia-worn-on-uniforms/555749.md?page=2)