United States Army Special Operations Command

SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA

• Description: On a yellow triangular Norman shield with rounded corners 5 1/4 inches in height overall, a black diagonal stripe extending over the shield from upper left to lower right and in the upper right a black horse's head cut off diagonally at the neck all within a 1/8 inch green border.

• Symbolism: Yellow, the traditional cavalry color, and the horse's head refer to the division's original cavalry structure. Black, symbolic of iron, alludes to the transition to tanks and armor. The black diagonal stripe represents a sword baldric and is a mark of military honor; it also implies movement "up the field" and thus symbolizes aggressive elan and attack. The one diagonal bend, as well as the one horse's head, also alludes to the division's numerical designation.

• Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved January 3, 1921 with several variations in colors of the bend and horse's head to reflect the subordinate elements of the division. The current design was authorized for wear by all subordinate elements of the division on December 11, 1934 and previous authorization for the variations was cancelled.

Description: On a red stylized spearhead with a 1/8 inch red border, 3 1/2 inches in height and 2 inches in width overall, a black Fairbairn-Sykes dagger. A black tab with "AIRBORNE" in red letters is attached above the insignia.

Symbolism: The stylized spearhead alludes to the shoulder sleeve insignia worn by the lst Special Service Forces and signifies the heritage and traditions that the US Army Special Operations Command will perpetuate. The unsheathed black dagger symbolizes total military preparedness and has long been associated with Army special operation forces. The airborne tab designates the command's airborne status.

• Upon a five pointed white star whose points lie in the circumference of an imaginary circle 3-1/2 inches (8.89 cm) in diameter a Native American's head with war bonnet in profile, face red, bonnet blue with outline of feathers in blue.
• The star to be superimposed upon a black shield, of dimensions such that the points of the star shall lie at a distance of 1/8 inch (.32 cm) from the perimeter.

Symbolism:

• The star has played an important part in our history from the days of the Colonies to the present time.
• The Native signifies the first and original American.
• These devices were originally established by the division to use as vehicle markings and to identify the vehicles as all American.

Background:

• The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized for the 2d Division on 6 Nov 1918, officially announced by The Adjutant General letter, 21 Jun 1922, amended to correct the description on 7 Nov 1927 and redesignated for the 2d Infantry Division on 1 Aug 1942.

Work of Federal Government

Shoulder sleeve patch of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division The 10th Mountain shoulder patch consists of a white-bordered powder keg. The powder keg is in blue and, superimposed on it are two red bayonets in saltire so as to form the Roman numeral “X”. The bayonets represent the Infantry and the numerical designation of the Division. This is the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia; the Distinctive Unit Insignia can be found at Image:10th Mountain Division-distinctive unit insignia.jpeg.