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DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Other Schiffer Books by the Author:

In a Strange Land; Te American Occupation of Germany 1918 – 1923 (ISBN: 1923 (ISBN: 978-0-7643-3761-1), Let’s Go! Te History of the 29th Division 1917 – 2001 2001 (ISBN: 978-0-7643-4636-1), and o Hell with the Kaiser, America Prepares for War (ISBN: 978-0-7643-4909-6 & 978-0-7643-4911-9) 978-0-7643-4911-9) Other Schiffer Books on Related Subjects: US Army Special Forces eam History and Insignia 1975 to the Present

Copyright © 2016 by Kevin M. B orn and Alexander F. Barnes Library o Congress Control Number: 2016946292 All rights reserved. No part o this work may be reproduced or used in any orm or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying or inormation storage and retrieval systems—without systems—without written permission  rom the publisher. Te scanning, uploading, and distribution o this bo ok or any part thereo via the Internet or any other means without the permission o the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. law. Please purchase only authorized editions and do not participate in or encourage the elec tronic piracy o copyrighted materials. “Schiffer,” “Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.,” and the pen and inkwell logo are registered trademarks o Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Designed by Justin Watkinson ype set in Agency FB/Minion Pro/Univers L Std ISBN: 978-0-7643-5206-5 Printed in China Published by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 4880 Lower Valley Road Atglen, PA 19310 Phone: (610) 593-1777; Fax: (610) 593-2002 E-mail: Ino@schifferbooks.com Ino@schifferbooks.com Web: www.schifferbooks.com For our complete selection o fine books on this and related subjects, please visit our website at www.schifferbooks.com. www.schifferbooks.com. You You may also write or a ree catalog. Schiffer Publishing’s titles are available at special discounts or bulk purchases or sales promotions promotions or premiums. Special editions, including personalized covers, corporate imprints, and excerpts, can be created in large quantities or special needs. For more inormation, contact the publisher. We are always looking or people to write books on new and related subjects. I you have an idea or a book, please contact us at proposals@schifferbooks.com. proposals@schifferbooks.com. 2


CONTENTS

Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 .4 Acknowledgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Foreword by by Ma Maj. Ge Gen. (R (Ret) Ke Kenneth R. R. Bo Bowra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 .7 CHAPTER 1.1. Fr From DB DBDU to to DC DCU…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 CHAPTER 2. 2. Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-made” “Theater-made” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 16 CHA CHAPTER PTER 3. Army rmy Com Comma mand ndss, Act Activ ivit itie iess, and and Age Agencie nciess. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 CHAPTER 4. Armies and Corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 CHAPTER 5. 5. Ar Army an and Ma Marine Co Corps Di Divisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 CHAP CHAPTER TER 6. Army Army Sepa Separa rate te Briga Brigade des, s, Grou Groups ps,, and and Regi Regime ment ntss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 CHAP CHAPTER TER 7. Arm Armyy Comb Combat at Ser Servi vice ce Sup Suppo port rt Uni Units ts and and Comm Comman ands. ds. . . . . . . . . . . . .143 CHAPTER TER 8. Army Special Operations Force rces.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 .162 CHAPTER 9. 9. Th The Ar Army Na National GGuuard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 179 CHAPTER 10. The Army Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 201 CHAPTER TER 1111. Ar Army Tra Traiining ing Ce Centers an and Sch Schoools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 CHAPTER 12. The Navy and Marine Corps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 .215 CHAPTER 13. The Air Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 CHAPTER 14. The Coast Guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 CHAPTER 15. 15. Army Rank, Branch, and Q ualifcation Insignia. Insignia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 1 CHAP CHAPTE TERR 16. 16. The The Tale Taless of of a Thou Thoussand and an and One One Nig Nights. hts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284 CHAPTER 17. And the Beat Goes On… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296 APPEND ENDIX A. A. Pa Patch an and Un Unifo iform Ma Manufacturers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 APPENDIX B. Headgear.................................................3 12 APPENDIX C. C. Civilians and Contractors on the Battlefeld. Battlefeld. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 2 Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 3 29 Endnotes ................................................ ...........330 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334 Index ..............................................................338


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Contents

Tis book is dedicated to our parents, who taught us that service to our nation is the highest orm o patriotism; and to all o the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines who proudly wore these uniorms in the service o their country. “Tey were brave warriors, ready or battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Teir aces were the aces o lions, and they were as swi as gazelles in the mountains.” — 1 Chronicles 12:8

Contents

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

When writing a book o this type, the need to reach out to many people is critical to ensure accuracy and completeness. Without ail, the veterans and others we talked to shared generously o their time, as well as t heir uniorms and personal photographs, including important contributors contributors such as Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mitchell Stevenson, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Ken B owra, Maj. Gen. im Williams, Col. (Ret.) James “Sluggo” “Sluggo” Ebertowski, Col. (Ret.) (Ret .) Charles R. Brown, Col. (Ret.) Sharon Leary, Col. Bruce McPeak, Col. (Ret.) Sam Russell, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard K. Boch, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Harold (Craig) Demby, Lt. Col. Brian Donohue, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Keith Fegler, Lt. Col. Matt Hamilton, Lt. Col. Eric Van De Hey, Hey, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Milton L. Smith, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jon Quinn, Maj. (Ret.) Pete Belmonte, Maj. Bradord “Mike” “Mike” Bethea, Maj. (Ret.) Richard “Digger” Dell, Maj. Scott Nemeth, Chaplain Maj. Stanton rotter, Chie Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) John L. Birkner, Chie Warrant Officer 5 Randy Johnson, Chie Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Jeffie Moore, Chie Warrant Officer 4 Andrew Foreman, Chie Warrant Officer 4 Nikki Frazier, Chie Warrant Officer 4 Luis Sanchez, Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Juan Rodriguez, Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Jimmie Fisher, Jason Aileo, Alison E. Hutton, Kathleen Cochran, om Jamerson, and Mike Martinson. Tere are a number o ellow militaria collec tors who provided invaluable inormation and photos on specific topics, including Maj. Paul Madden, who provided many rare and unusual DCUs and his expertise on the 101st Airborne Division; im Bartholow or his expertise on Army Band B and tabs; Clete Erickson, who provided exceptional examples o Navy DCUs with Arabic script name tapes; Gareth Ewart or his contributions o rare Air Force OSI DCUs and early Coast Guard and Navy Seabee DBDUs; Danilo Matz or his cover art concept, as well as his r are early 1972 DBDU; Guilhaume Nuydt or his rare Coast Guard and Navy DCUs; Chie Warrant Officer 2 Paul Renk and Noel Renk or their expertise on all things Coast Guard related; Arch Rigsby or his extensive knowledge o modified DCUs; Pierre-Emmanuel Vergote or sharing photos o desert patches rom his exceptional collection; Scott Stevens, Dave Schwind, and Erick Eastes or sharing their knowledge k nowledge o US military uniorms; Pascal Vermeersch Vermeersch or sharing his extensive knowledge o all things Desert Storm related; Maj. Vance Zemke or sharing images o his extensive collection o theater-made patches; Bob Ziccardi or his expertise on Special O perations uniorms; and Eric H. Larson or his extensive knowledge o the Stryker Close Combat Uniorm (CCU/CU).


Special thanks go to our good riends Richard Killblane and Chaplain Col. Robert Nay, the original members o our Fort Lee Collectors Group whose meetings helped inspire this book; and to Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Ken Bowra, who graciously opened his home to allow us to photograph his desert uniorms. We would be remiss i we did not mention the American Society Socie ty o Military Insignia Collectors (ASMIC), the US Militaria Forum, and the OEF/OIF Forum, which gave us valuable insight into desert patch and uniorm collecting, as well as access to collectors across the globe. We would also like to acknowledge the help and support o Kenneth Finlayson, PhD, who reviewed the Army Special Operations chapter; and John Adams-Gra (editor o the rading Post ), ), who published our article on desert patches that was the seed corn or the development o this book. Organizations that supported this effort include the National Guard Educational Foundation; Virginia Army National Guard; Indiana National Guard; US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, Development, and Engineering Center: David Accetta; US Army Institute o Heraldry; US Army Logistics University Library: John Shields and im Renick; and the Deense Logistics Agency. Also contributing were the fine olks at the US Army Quartermaster Quarter master Museum at Fort Lee: Paul Morando and Luther Hansen. Please accept our gratitude and sincere hope that our final product is equal in quality to your ser vice and contributions. We also owe a debt o gratitude to our editor Ian Robertson or his patience answering questions and guiding us through the process. Most o all, we are truly indebted to our long-suffering wives: Susan Born-Blitz and Michele Barnes. Tank you or your boundless love, support, and understanding. We appreciate your patience with our many incoherent ramblings about desert patch types, uniorm labels, contract dates, manuacturers, and other such nonsense in the course o everyday conversation, and or putting up with our filling every available space at home with militaria. Remember, it’s collecting, not hoarding! rademarks Te ollowing products are noted trademarks that are mentioned in this book: bo ok: Velcro, Velcro, Nomex, Kevlar, Schiffli, ru-Spec, ru-Spe c, ALANCO, and Boston Whaler.

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Acknowledgments

FOREWORD

Tis is the story o t he development o US military desert uniorms, and shows the many different unit patches, ranks, and badges that were worn on them. Tese were the shortest-lived combat uniorms in our great Army’s Army’s history and have a very unique place in US militar y heritage. Te variety and variations o uniorm and their respective unit patches and badges worn is unique to our military military units and services, as many o these were actually produced in the combat zone and worn during fighting. ogether, these uniorms and their patches were, and continue to be, witness to our military history, as many amous units wore them while engaging in combat operations in Desert Storm,

Foreword

Aghanistan, and Iraq, as well as in other Middle Eastern nations during support operations and regional engagements. o o date, no extensive study or presentation o their history has been conducted and until this book their story has remained untold. Tis great work is the standalone reerence or the military historian and collector alike. It is also a lasting tribute to the men and women o our Armed Forces who have ser ved and continue to serve at the “ip o the Spear” in support o America’s ongoing operations and contingencies c ontingencies worldwide. Kenneth R. Bowra Maj. Gen. (Ret.), USA

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INTRODUCTION

Te story o the US military’ militar y’ss desert uniorms and associated asso ciated patches and rank insignia is ascinating or a number o reasons, but primarily because o the relatively short period they were worn and the underlying act that these were truly “combat uniorms.” Although every soldier sold ier in the Army was issued Battle Dress D ress Uniorms (BDUs), only those whose mission took them into the deserts o Southwest Asia, the plains o the Sinai, the coastal scrub o Somalia, or the hills and mountains o Aghanistan received the Desert Battle Dress Uniorm (DBDU) or the Desert Combat Uniorm Uniorm (DCU). Equally interesting is the evolution o the patches and badges worn on these uniorms. Although soldiers were originally authorized to wear the same woodland green subdued patches as ound on the BDUs, the development o desert-colored patches soon ollowed. Te wars in Iraq and Aghanistan quickly became be came the showcase or the combination o desert patches and desert uniorms as thousands o American servicemen were issued the latest uniorms. By 2006, US Army leadership had changed their minds again and introduced the Army Combat Uniorm (ACU). Although the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard continued to wear the desert deser t uniorm or a ew more years, soldiers and Marines had transitioned to and were issued newer style and color “digital” uniorms. In effect, the DCU—once the standard uniorm or all servicemen s erving in OIF and OEF—was quickly replaced.

Due to the t he relatively short period o use or DBDUs and DCUs, it might be logical to suppose there would not be much o a story to tell. In act, it is just the opposite. Fascinated at first by the huge variety in shoulder patches, we soon ound that there was also an amazing variety in style and material o the uniorms themselves. Interviews with the government civilians responsible or contracting civilian companies and Department o Deense activities that developed or produced the uniorms led us to realize this was also a story worth telling. So rather than setting out to produce another standard patch guide with its simple grid o patches, we instead endeavored to provide a detailed and nuanced background on the subject that would be useul to the patch and uniorm collector and the historian. Tere was so much material available we had to make tough choices about what would appear in the book. An entire work could be devoted to 82nd and 101st Airborne Division patch and uniorm variations variations and volumes volumes could could be written written on modified DCUs. Instead o ocusing on a ew high-profile high- profile units or specialized uniorms, we undertook an effort to cover a broader cross section o units with photos o patches, uniorms, and examples o their use in-theater. Likewise, we were only able to provide a small sample o the wide variety o specialized specia lized Army aviation battalion and company and Air Force squadron, group, and wing patches. Nevertheless, the broad scope o this book will have something or everyone. We also decided not to delve into the field equipment and items worn or carried with the DBDU/DCU, as this topic is so diverse it deserves its own book. o ully tell the story o the desert uniorms and their insignia we needed to work through some o the complexities and anomalies o the US military. military. Even things as simple as rank and titles require some explanation; in the Army, the rank lieutenant colonel is abbreviated “LC, but in the Air Force and Marine Corps it is “LtCol.” We have consciously chosen to use the masculine version o “servicemen,” “servicemen,” “airmen,” etc. Te service and sacrifice o the US military’s emale soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines is recognized by all and needs no extra phrasing—such as “and airwomen”—to show their inclusion; the hard-won title t itle soldier, sailor, airman, Coast Guardsman, or Marine is worthy enough. We also recognized ver y early in our efforts that the variety o patches within a single division or brigade was oen dr iven by the number o rotations the unit had during our period o study, so while there are very many variations o the 101st Airborne Division patch, there are relatively ew or some o the National Guard divisions, such as the 35th or the 42nd. Te numbers o patches shown or any specific unit is not a reflection on their service to the

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John M. Shalikashvili visiting Somalia in 1993. This nicely captures a brief window into a period when DBDU and DCUs were worn. It displays an interesting mix of DBDU and DCU uniforms, as well as woodland subdued patches and pin-on rank during this transitional period . Courtesy US Army DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Introduction

country; it merely means a unit deploying more oen during this period had more opportunities or its soldiers to purchase theatermade versions rom the local “hajji” tailor shop or wear on their uniorms. Even the authorized versions o patches had many variations in size, shape, and color. color. We were also conscious o the act that, or the Army, this period saw large-scale call-ups o the National Guard and Army Reserve. As a result, many units deployed to the combat c ombat zones whose last appearance on oreign soil was during WWII. racing their roots back to the earliest colonial militias, the National Guard is the oldest branch o t he United States military, military, and a worthy sample o their uniorms and patches ollow. Te Army Reserve has a different history. Growing Growing out o the National Army raised in 1917 and 1918 rom draees, the reserve has no state mission responsibility, responsibility, but is designed to augment the ac tive Army during time o war, as well as train new soldiers that would b e available rom conscription. Likewise, they are well represented here. We also intended rom the very beginning begin ning that this book should represent all branches o the Department o Deense and the Coast Guard. Although the Army section is much larger than the other services, it is purely due to the act that the Army deployed the largest number o servicemen during this period and the Army uniorm has always been a rich platorm or displaying a soldier’s soldier’s unit, rank, and specialty badges. Te Army is also the only service to use one sleeve to represent current unit affiliation and the other sleeve to show a previous combat service affiliation. Conversely, Conversely, the Marine Corps purposely does not authorize unit affiliation patches to be worn on their uniorms; as a result, you will find such anomalies as an Army soldier attached to the 1st Marine Division or combat operations being authorized a 1st Marine Division patch on his right sleeve, yet a Marine serving in that same division is not. You You will also encounter examples o Air Force personnel attached to Army tactical units adding a US Army patch to their uniorm. u niorm. While unauthorized, the practice was airly widespread, and in most cases accepted. Also o interest to historians and collectors will be the surprising number and rich variety o Coast Guard patches.

Introduction

For clarity, we have simplified such names as “Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm” to simply Desert Storm. Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom have been shortened to OEF and OIF, OIF, respectively. When describing unit patches, ranks, or badges, the words “woodland” or “subdued” will stand or the black and green patches most oen associated with the Battle Dress Uniorm. Note the use o “desert period” has different meanings depending upon where it is used in the book. Each o the US armed services had different dates when the DCU was phased out. Chapter 2 provides the time rames by service that the DCU was worn. We have also indicated wherever possible when a unit patch was first authorized by the Army. Several units have a convoluted convoluted history o renaming through numerous in-activations, re-activations, and re-designations, so we have chosen to use the name associated with the unit while it was active during the desert period. Tus you will find that well-known First and Second World War divisions have been redesignated as brigades and other ormations to preserve their history in the Army Reser ve and National Guard while keeping the same patch. Likewise, the locations o many Army units have changed since 2006, so we have chosen to identiy the location where they served during the desert period. Many times soldiers removed patches rom their BDUs and sewed them onto DBDUs or DCUs, either or convenience, cost savings, or because desertcolored patches were not yet authorized or easily available. Tis adds greatly to the variations you will see. During our research we discovered much more background on DBDUs and DCUs than we would have ever imagined. Our hope is that this book successully successul ly captures that background, as well as the enduring legacy o units rom all o the US Armed Forces that served during the desert period.

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CHA PT ER 1

From DBDU to DCU

Te United States military has long recognized the need to provide its warriors with uniorms best suited or a multitude o combat environments, rom jungle and mountains to desert. For most o the nation’s early history little thought was given to development o a desert-specific uniorm. Painul experiences wearing heavy blue uniorms during the post-Civil War period while fighting on the arid plains o the Western rontier and overseas in Cuba, the Philippines, and China led to a realization that change was desperately needed. In the period that ollowed, the Army conducted a complete

review o its uniorms, un iorms, field gear, and weapons. A board o officers was assembled in i n Washington, Washington, and by July 1902, 190 2, the board’ bo ard’ss findings were published as General Order No. 81. 81 .1 Every article o the soldier’ soldie r’ss issued clothing was examined, discussed, analyzed, and redesigned. Blue—the Army’s predominant predominant color throughout its history—was eliminated or field uniorms and was replaced by the more tactically practical olive drab and khaki. In 1940, the US Army watched with interest as the Italians declared war and invaded the Libyan and Egyptian deserts in North

The assembled cavalrymen from Troop A of the New York State National Guard gather outside their armory for a unit photograph, revealing a wide variety of uniforms and equipment. Courtesy NYDMNA


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From DBDU to DCU

Arica. As the war spread on a global scale, other desert areas in Iraq, Iran, and elsewhere became likely battlegrounds. Tis prompted the US Army to conduct extensive testing to determine i there was a need to develop a desert specific uniorm or these potential areas o conflict. In 1942, the Army established a Deser t raining raining Center and Desert Warare Board in the arid regions o Southern Caliornia and western Arizona.

Te Desert Warare Board took up the practical matter o determining suitable desert clothing or a orce that or the first time was expected to be highly armored and mechanized. alks were held with British officers resh off the battlefields o Libya. Te board quickly discovered that existing examples o desert clothing were based on native designs and had not undergone scientific testing. Tey also determined that because temperatures dropped

Taken during the final months of WWII, this shows the wide variety of field clothing worn by 29th Infantry Division soldiers. Included in the mix are two different models of field jackets and a Mackinaw coat.

Headgear for the unforgiving desert environment was a top priority in WWII. The tried and true tropical helmet was extensively tested and modified to meet this need. Although several novel modifications of the M-1 helmet were tested, none were accepted. Courtesy US Army Quartermaster Museum

significantly at night clothing must address these extremes. Te unrelenting sun also drove a need or sufficient head covering. Te rugged and abrasive nature o sand and rocks demanded durable ootwear. Te Desert Warare Board tested several items o existing quartermaster equipment equipment against these demands. Existing ootwear was deemed inadequate to meet the rigors o desert warare, but the Army Ground Forces directed that current boots and shoes were sufficient; a finding that would soon be proven wrong aer US orces landed in North Arica in November 1942. Because o the poor perormance o this ootwear, ootwear, Chie o Staff o the Army Gen. George Marshall directed the procurement o 100,000 pairs o heavy leather reinorced combat shoes or desert and temperate climates. Ironically this high-topped, rough side out, light tan boot was the orerunner o the modern US combat boot that saw extensive service in Desert Deser t Storm, OIF, OIF, and OEF. Adequate desert headgear was also addressed, and many novel ways to reflect heat were tested, including drilling ventilation holes and applying inrared reflecting paint and aluminum oil to the M-1 combat helmet. None were deemed effective. effect ive. As a result, the existing tropical “pith” “pith” helmet was redesigned to meet this need. Clothing was also extensively tested, teste d, including “thermal armor,” armor,” a metallic cloth made o aluminum, silver, or copper designed to protect against agains t the sun’s radiation. Unortunate Unortunately ly,, the light reflective reflec tive qualities o this cloth made the wearer an excellent target. Ultimately, the British Army’s proven “bush shirt” o coarsely woven material was avored. Tis khaki drill (KD) uniorm made o cotton cloth had been used by the British in hot weather environments since khaki was developed in 1848. Te US Army quickly discarded the

The Army conducted extensive testing on footwear in WWII that determined existing shoes and boots rapidly disintegrated under harsh desert conditions. The special “flesh side out” tan boot that was adopted foreshadowed the desert boot developed nearly fifty years later for Desert Storm. Courtesy US Army Quartermaster Museum From DBDU to DCU

10


“bush shirt” because physical exertion caused it to become sweatsoaked and collapse against the body bo dy,, cutting off air circulation and making soldiers even hotter. Tese clothing development efforts were shelved and existing uniorms were deemed adequate or service servic e in the desert. Many decades later, the DBDU and DCU shirts were designed in this “ bush shirt” style. Efforts were also made to redesign the one-piece coveralls used by the Armored Forces or desert use. Several improvements improvements were made or comort, including a drop seat so men could relieve themselves without removing the garment and being exposed to the sun. In typical bureaucratic ashion, the quartermaster general— who opposed one-piece uniorms on general principle—and the Chemical Warare Warare Service objected. Te Chemical Warare Service stated the drop seat opening would allow the entry o mustard gas. Te Armored Forces ultimately received the improved coveralls, the orerunner o the modern Combat Vehicle Crewman Coveralls. With the end o the North Arican Campaign in 1943, the Army moved its ocus to the wet and cold climates o the upcoming battlefields in Western Western Europe and all testing on specia lized desert uniorms and equipment was halted. For the next thirty years, the US military would be fixated on the Cold War War and the Soviet threat, 2 not the desert. By the late 1970s, the Army and Marine Corps had both decided to equip their orces with camouflaged field un iorms. In October

1981, the Army introduced the Battle Dress Uniorm (BDUs). Tis uniorm drew upon the lessons learned rom the tropical combat uniorm o the Vietnam War. While well-suited or European woodlands—and in the hot weather version or jungle use—the newly developed Battle Dress Uniorm (BDU) was recognized as unsuitable or desert environments. Aer action reports rom soldiers deployed to Operation Urgent Fury on the island o Grenada showed the BDU was also too heavy and hot or wear in tropical tropica l climates. Ironically, as a result, the Army authorized the wearing o the older lightweight non-camouflaged non-camouflaged tropical combat uniorm uniorm or several years until a lightweight BDU could be produced and issued. Studies o the effectiveness o desert camouflage had taken place in 1951 and 1953. An additional test took place in 1962, at Fort Benning, GA. All o these studies ound the light tan coloration o the khaki uniorm to be the most effective camouflage or this t his environment. Mr. Mr. John H. Hopkins o the Camouflage Branch, Mobility Equipment Research and Development Command (MERADCOM) (MERADCOM) at Fort Belvoir, VA, is credited with developing the six-color desert uniorm pattern in 1960. Te Six-Day War (Arab-Israeli war in 1967) created new emphasis on field testing the experimental six-color desert uniorm camouflage pattern that year by MERADCOM and Natick Research and Development Command (NARADCOM).

An ultra-rare 1972 “Coat Combat, Desert, Camouflage” uniform jacket produced by the Defense Personnel Support Center in Philadelphia, PA. Although not issued on a large scale until the early 1980s, this uniform proves that the DBDU pattern existed in the early 1970s. Other than the split in the pockets, it displays all of the characteristics of the later DBDU. Courtesy Danilo Matz DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

11

From DBDU to DCU

Note the unusual slant front pockets and split in the side pockets on these 1972 “Trousers Combat, Desert, Camouflage” worn under the “Coat Combat, Desert, Camouflage.” Courtesy Danilo Matz

The Army did extensive testing of the six-color desert uniform, and by 1976, Natick had established the standard set of uniforms that would be later type classified as the Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU). From Natick’s Technical Report “TR 76-34-CEMEL Protective Clothing and Life Support Equipment Applicable to a Desert Environment, June 1976.” Courtesy US Army

From DBDU to DCU

Issued near the end of Desert Storm, the DCU and its predecessor, the DBDU, were loose fitting, worn draped outside the pants, pants, and featured featured four bellows bellows pockets; pockets; some of of the distinguishing characteristics of the British army bush jacket that was tested during WWII and rejected. Courtesy US Army 12


uniorms were also worn or observation and judged against the standard uniorm. Afer observing all o the possible uniorm combinations at different known distances, it soon became clear that the highest scoring or best uniorm was a camouflage combination o light tan, khaki, and li light ght brown. Clearly a change in the camouflage pattern was going to be required. Te report noted that “uture combat in which a desert camouflage uniorm will be used by US orces will, in all probability, be in the Middle East.” Because the deserts there “tend to be lighter and more tan than the grayer deserts in the United States,” the rigorous color testing that was conducted in the US needed to be repeated repe ated there “beore any final decision on desert uniorm is made.” 4 esting takes time and developing new uniorms is a relatively slow process, but the need or change was made explicit in the May 1988 “echnical Objective Document or Combat Clothing, Uniorms, and Integrated Protective Systems”:

With increased tensions in the Middle East, the Army conducted additional trials o this uniorm (1972 and 1975) as part o the US Army Project Mobile Army Sensor Systems est, Evaluation and Review (MASSER) program. esting was conducted with the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, X. Te MASSER studies concluded that the new experimental six-color desert uniorm was the most effective at breaking up a soldier’s silhouette at longer ranges. Tese uniorms were made o nylon/cotton sateen, with the design o the jacket and trousers similar to that o the tropical combat uniorm. By the late 1970s, a standardized six-color uniorm was issued on a limited basis to the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) and saw service during training exercises in Egypt. Te six-color uniorm was not type classified until the adoption o the Desert Battle Dress Uniorm (DBDU), which the Army began issuing in 1982 to selected units with potential missions in desert areas. Te predominant colors were “tan, khaki, light brown and dark brown. Small light-brown areas outlined in black [were] scattered throughout the other color areas.” Actual testing o the uniorm, however, however, in the t he Saudi Arabian desert proved to be a disappointment disappointment when viewed against “multiple desert backgrounds. In all cases the uniorm appeared dark and did not blend well with any o the observed desert backgrounds.”3 Te test was repeated repe ated using Army and Marine Corps personnel at ten southwestern US desert sites, including Yuma, Yuma, Arizona; Jean Dr y Lake B ed, Nevada; and umco, Anza Borrego State Park, Salton Sea, and 29 Palms in Caliornia. During this second test a series o other prototype desert camouflage

A significant improvement was made in the area o camouflage protection or the individual soldier operating in a desert environment. Using the results o extensive photometric research on domestic and oreign sands, Natick redesigned the camouflage pattern or desert uniorms rom a six-color to a three-color disruptive pattern. Te new three-color design provides a more effective disruptive pattern against the threat o detection, and also provides a simpler item or industry to produce. 5 Te six-color DBDU would have to remain the US military’s standard desert uniorm until a better one could be developed, produced, and fielded. As a result, rom Desert Storm through the mid-1990s, the majority o soldiers who deployed to desert environments or operations—Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Restore Hope in Somalia, Bright Star in Egypt, and the Multinational Multinational Force in the Sinai—still wore a version o the DBDU. Many units—predominantly units—predominantly those in Europe deploying to Desert Storm—would deploy to Saudi Arabia still wearing BDUs. Te six-color helmet covers proved to be in

Maj. Gen. Jerry R. Rutherford wears DBDUs and a woodland pattern cover on his helmet while meeting with an Austrian officer during the peace talks at the end of Desert Storm. Courtesy US Army and SGM (ret) Jimmie Fisher

A copy of Logger News from from March 1991. Published in Saudi Arabia for the soldiers of the 22nd Support Command (TAA), who had the unenviable job of sending all of the other American forces and their equipment back to their home stations. The cover picture features G en. H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. wearing a newer model DCU rain jacket over his DBDUs. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

13

From DBDU to DCU

Certainly a sign of a transitional uniform period, this group of Special Forces soldiers in Kuwait gathered to compare notes are wearing a combination of DBDU and DCU uniforms. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

This DCU shows the hard usage the uniforms received in OEF and OIF. Permanently stained with oil and grease, this DCU coat reflects its actual use in combat by an enlisted soldier of the 101st.

(also affectionately called the “Chocolate Chip” uniorm) was adorned with green and black patches. Even in the midst o Desert Storm, the Army continued to study the problem o providing the r ight camouflaged uniorm or each potential battle environment. A report released in November 1991 provided the latest analysis and findings:

Tere are five basic climatic environments or which the Army provides clothing system: hot-wet, hot-dry, temperate, cold-wet and cold-dry. In some geographical areas, seasonal variations in climate climate necessitate the issue issue o more than one clothing ensemble. In addition, protection rom special hazards or threats requires separate issue o unique items, such as chemical protective overgarments or a ballistic protective vest.6

A favorite souvenir of the Desert Storm period, these decals were produced for soldiers to purchase almost as soon as the war was over.

short supply, so many soldiers continued to wear the woodland pattern cover. Troughout most o this period subdued shoulder patches, rank insignia, and qualification badges similar to those worn on BDUs were worn on these desert uniorms. Tere were a ew exceptions to this, but or the most part, the six-colored DBDU From DBDU to DCU

Acts o aggressive “saber rattling” by Saddam Hussein in the mid-1990s served as the catalyst or the US Army to officially adopt the desert patch. By 1996, the Kuwaiti government government had agreed to a long-term presence o a US armored battalion batt alion in Kuwait. As tensions 14


Once again, a war in Southwest Asia required soldiers of the 101st to receive desert uniforms; this time it is the DCU version being issued at a clothing issue facility at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Courtesy US Army

with the Iraqis escalated, the Army rotated brigade-size armor and mechanized units into Kuwait or months long “Intrinsic Action” field exercises with Kuwaiti orces. Te participation o 1,200 to 5,000 soldiers in multiple rotations per year ueled a remarkable increase in the demand or desert uniorms. uniorms . Tis increased demand, coupled with the longer-term presence o US troops in desert environments, led to a desire to have desert patches and insignia that matched this uniorm. On 11 May 1998, the Army’s deputy chie o staff or personnel ormally authorized the manuacture, procurement, and wear o desert-colored shoulder sleeve insignia (patches), insignia o grade, and combat and special skill badges on the desert uniorm. Te our short years rom the invasion o Iraq in 2003 to the end o the desert uniorm era in 2006 was the heyday o the new style desert patches. Hundreds o active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve units wore desert uniorms and patches in Kuwait, Iraq, Aghanistan, and neighboring countries. Teater-made variations o authorized desert patches produced in Aghanistan, Agh anistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and elsewhere also flourished. So too did an entire subculture o theater-made aviation and novelty patches, many o them in desert colors that were only restricted by the imagination o the un it and the ability o local vendors to create them.

Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to an American entertainer is to provide him or her with a uniform during their visit to a combat theater. Here comedian and actor Steve Martin proudly wears a set of DBDUs while visiting soldiers in Saudi Arabia in 1990. Courtesy Soldiers Magazine DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

15

From DBDU to DCU

CHAPTER 2

Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

“Te Army always prepares or the last war they ought. Te pickle uniorm was perect or the jungles o Vietnam. I Desert Shield accomplished nothing else, it moved the Armed Forces rom the jungle to to the desert. Te chocolate chip uniorm uniorm was a first attempt attempt at adapting. Tey don’t wear chocolate chip uniorms anymore. Now they wear a so green and tan pattern that actually blends into the desert instead o unctioning as a moving target. In 1990 what did we know…?” know…?” — Kathleen Cochran, C ochran, My My War War

Patches Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) is the official military designation or patches worn by the US Armed Forces. We will use patch or patches rather than SSI, since this is the term amiliar with most collectors. Authorized patches have been around since WWI, when in 1918, the first patch p atch was approved or the 81st “Wildcat” Division. Full-colored patches were worn on combat clothing until the Vietnam War, when subdued woodland patches were introduced in 1968. It would be another thirty years beore desert patches were officially authorized or wear in 1998. From the very beginning there have been a variety o “theater-made” patches produced in or near the area o conflict to meet the uniorm needs o service members or as souvenirs.

Te study o the manuacture and issue o desert patches and uniorms brings to light a number o interesting and little-known aspects o uniorm wear during the deser t period. Te research and inormation ound in this chapter will assist the collector and historian in determining the origin, material, age, desirability, desirability, and rarity o these items. We also delve into variations o desert patches and modifications o DBDUs/DCUs. Te desert period presents a wide variety o patch and uniorm variants or the collector, rom standard “government issue” uniorms and patches to almost an endless variety o theater-made patches and uniorm modifications. Tere were also several other military issue uniorms developed during this period to meet specific desert requirements.

Government Issued Patches During the desert era, standard government issue patches—both woodland and desert—were manuactured in a method used since beore WWII. We will call these authorized patches. Patch makers used the very large Schiffli embroidery machine, employing 360 needles driven by a pantographic arm that ollowed large paper patterns and transerred the design to the embroidery. Hundreds o high quality

The distinction of being the first US Army unit to wear patches into combat belongs to the 81st Division in France in 1918. Ironically, the shape and basic design of the patch has changed very little since that time, with the only real difference being the colors employed to represent the division’s symbol and namesake, the wildcat. The patch is now worn by the Army Reserve’s 81st Regional Support Command. Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

16


completed, they were packed in brown cardboard boxes o two hundred patches, with each twenty bound b ound by string or held in plastic bags; a practice that changed little since WWII. Tese patches were ordered by the Deense Logistics Agency (DLA) and were held in depots or issue to units. Tey were also ordered by the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), which stocked them in local clothing sales stores. Units, especially newly established organizations, could order patches directly rom the manuacturers. Ofen thousands o patches were made or each order based on estimated need. nee d. Patch overruns were purchased by military surplus stores or mail order/online retailers who sold patches directly to service members and collectors. Edge Styles Te Schiffli style patch with a merrowed edge was the standard issued patch o this period, but collectors occasionally come across Schiffli desert patches that do not have a completed merrowed edge. Tese are patches that did not meet government standards and should not have been issued. Tey may not have been completed or a variety o reasons, such as errors in embroidery. embroidery. Tese cut edge patches are occasionally seen on issue DCU uniorms, so they may have been sold by the makers to retailers, eventually ending up in the hands o solders. Tese patches should not be conused with theater-made cut edge patches.

Five varied examples of the merrowed edging on government contractproduced patches. This process is done to limit fraying of the patch edges. A collector’s note: never store Velcro-backed patches on top of each other, because the Velcro can snag and damage the merrowed edge of the patch.

Color and Style Variations When the Institute o Heraldry ormally approved manuacture o the desert patch in 1998, it provided guidelines to manuacturers. Rather than designing new desert patches, the IOH instructed

An uncut sheet of 23rd Infantry “Americal” Division patches that clearly show the tan twill fabric base. Later the patches will be trimmed and a merrowed edge will be added to complete the process.

embroidered patches could be made at one time using this method, resulting in a sheet o patches on a base material that was then cut to size, creating a patch with a “cut edge.” edge.” Since the 1960s, 19 60s, these distinctive “Schiffli” patches have had a “merrowed edge” o stitching applied to them that prevents raying around the border edge, so these newer patches are oen reerred to as merrowed edge patches. Patches Patches were produced under contract by manuacturers certified by the US Army Institute o Heraldry (IOH). Tere were twentyeight certified makers/retailers o patches (see Appendix A), the majority o which were in the New Jersey/New York area. Tey included well-known names such as Ace Schiffli Embroidery, Art Embroidery, and Eveready Embroidery. Once patch orders were DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Two instances of manufacturers’ variations in the application of color to desert patch designs. The 34th Infantry Division patches show the more common variation in color on the merrowed edge, while the Louisiana National Guard displays a variation within the design itself: in this case the color of the Pelican Pelican chicks chicks in the nest. nest. 17


In some cases manuacturers misunderstood the proper color conversion rom the woodland to the desert pattern. Although this error was most oen seen in the color o the merrowed border o the patch, it could on occasion maniest in elements o the design o the patch itsel. Tese patches could be considered errors, but sometimes the differences are so small they would generally go unnoticed unless they were put side by side with a patch displaying the proper color scheme. Tere are also slight color variations in desert patches caused by the manuacturing process. Some patch makers produced patches where the spice-colored thread was significantly lighter than the standard color. color. I placed side by side si de with a darker spice-colored patch this difference is very noticeable. Other makers used a tan thread in their patches that has a noticeably duller, dull er, flatter look when put side by side with patches that used tan thread with more o a sheen. Backing Initially, the backing o the patch was simply le untouched. By 1990, a plastic substance was being applied to the backs o patches. Tis plastic substance was heat sensitive and would oen leave a residue on the uniorm when the patch was removed. By 2000, some patches had a grey or white elt-like material applied to their backs beore the merrowing process. It is possible all o these backings were applied to prevent shrinkage and maintain the shape o the patch aer repeated washings.

These Army Reserve Medical Command (AR-MEDCOM) patches show that differences differences in color variation variation can be be subtle or or significant significant based on on who made the patch.

manuacturers to convert the specifications or existing woodland subdued patches to desert colors. Olive drab became khaki and black became spice brown in this conversion. According to IOH sources, they did not specifically authorize desert patches or units; they simply updated the manuacturing drawings or the shoulder sleeve insignia to include the desert patch conversion as they went along.


From left to right are patch-backing examples: black Velcro, black and white dominant return thread, white and black felt backing, plastic backing, and a natural backing. Note the felt backing of these patches is somewhat fragile and can be damaged by tape.

18


Manuacturers also used a variety o return threads on the backs o patches. Although the standard tan and spice were used on the backs o most desert patches, there are black and white-back variations variati ons reminiscent o WWII “green back” patches. Patches with black return threads are rarely seen and may be some o the most sought aer “standard issue” desert patches in the uture. Velcro was applied to patches or a variety o uses, including wear on flight clothing. Some soldiers and units sewed black, tan, or even green Velcro hook backing on their patches so they could be worn on modified uniorms.

Most likely never authorized, the reversed patch for the combat sleeve remained popular among soldiers. Whether the reversed image is the horse belonging to the 1st Cavalry Division or, as seen here, the reversed Timberwolf of the 104th Training Division, the concept of having a “forward facing” patch is an obvious favorite.

Combat Patches Te Army authorized Shoulder Sleeve Insignia–Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWS) that were worn on the right sleeve o DBDU and DCU uniorms shortly afer the end o Desert Storm. Te “combat patch” was intended to recognize soldiers “who had actively ac tively participated in or supported ground combat operations against hostile orces in which they were exposed to the threat o enemy action or fire either directly or indirectly.”1 A soldier had to serve in a combat zone or at least thirty days to qualiy or a SSI-FWS. We will reer to these patches as a s combat patches. During Desert Storm and very early in OEF/OIF, OEF/OIF, soldiers customarily did not sew on their combat patches until aer they returned rom deployment. Veterans Veterans rom earlier earlie r conflicts, such as Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Panama, and Desert Storm, would already be wearing a combat patch. Tis is one reason why units that were long ago disbanded are represented in desert patches. Tis practice changed near the end o 2003 and early 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Around this time units would sew on their combat patches and hold ormal combat patch ceremonies around thirty days aer their arrival, so it is possible to roughly date DBDUs DBDUs and DCUs based on this. For example, during Desert Storm, combat patches would not normally have been sewn on a uniorm until aer the unit returned home, and a DCU without a combat c ombat patch might indicate an in-country worn uniorm  rom 2001 to 2003 in OIF/OEF. OIF/OEF. Te policy on what combat patch to wear was vague at the time, and soldiers were oen qualified to wear multiple combat patches based on the units to which they had been attached or assigned. Some soldiers had two or more deployments during the desert period, qualiying them to wear even more combat patches. Many soldiers picked a combat patch that represented “prestige” “prestige” inantry units like the 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), or Special Op erations units, while others chose to wear the patch o the unit in which they had served as a commander or senior NCO. Still others supported US Marine Corps units in the western provinces o Iraq and were entitled to wear Marine unit patches—such as the 1st and 2nd Marine Division—as a combat patch. Early into a deployment, the shortage o appropriate desert patches oen meant soldiers had to buy theater-made patches rom local tailor shops to wear as their combat c ombat patch. Wearing Wearing the same unit patch on both shoulders was oen reerred to as “bookend,” “cookie,” or “sandwich” patches.2

and were intended or wear as combat patches. In 2006, the Army’s Army’s deputy chie o staff (G-1) or human resources and policy issued a policy that these reversed patches could no longer be worn. Nonetheless, units continued to have reversed theater-made patches produced and wore them proudly while deployed until they were told to take them off. Wearing the Patch All patches—woodland subdued or desert—were designed to be worn centered and one-hal inch below the top o the shoulder seam. Te woodland subdued patch was worn on the DBDU uniorm rom the time it was fielded in the early 1980s, and saw service on

Combat Reversed Patches Following a Vietnam W War ar tradition, some units requested SSI-FWS patches that were the mirror reverse, i.e., the combat reversed version o the unit patch worn on the le sleeve. Te intent here is to have the imagery on the p atch acing orward. Tere are several reversed patches which appear to be manuactured to government standards DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

A mixture of styles is seen here and points out this is an early OIF DCU coat: the woodland-colored patch for the 1st Infantry Division, black sergeant stripes on the wide early-model collar, and the US flag reversed to appear to be flying in the breeze. It would be well into the OEF/OIF period before all of the desert-colored ranks and unit patches would be readily available. 19


There was a wide variety of color and subdued US flag patches worn on the DBDU and DCU, both forward and reverse facing. There seemed to be no standardization in the 1990s; as a result, the height, width, and border color of these patches varied greatly.

this uniorm until it was phased out in the mid-1990s. Woodland patches were also worn on the DCU uniorm during the early days o Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, primarily because o the rapid deployment o orces into Iraq and Aghanistan, causing units to use the readily available available woodland subdued patches rather than wait or the desert deser t versions. Desert patches were worn beore they were officially authorized in 1998, some as early as the period immediately aer Desert Storm, but these patches were mostly theater or commercially made or a very small percentage o the orce and generally worn by units Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

remaining in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait aer Desert Storm. Others were worn by organizations that habitually trained in the Middle East, such as Special Operations units. Te US Flag Patch Te 1992 version o Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Army Unifo Uniforms rms and and Insign Insignia ia,, did not recognize the wear o the US flag on the DBDU uniorm. It is known that the colored US flag was worn by a ew units as early as Desert Storm, most notably the 24th Inantry Division. Some units wore it acing orward, others reversed. 20


One would think the US flag patch would be a consistent size o approximately approximately two inches by three inches, but during the Desert Storm period and the 1990s, the patch size varied considerably, as did the color o the border. Even much later, later, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 173rd Airborne Brigade wore a US flag patch that was smaller than the standard issue flag patch, perhaps because it had been locally procured. Flag placement on the DBDU was also not standardized in these early years. Some 10th Mountain Division DBDUs that saw service in Somalia had US flags our and a hal inches below the right sleeve seam. Tis space could have accommodated a blue United Nations Nations patch that was later removed. Others had the flag on the le sleeve, perhaps to represent a peacekeeping mission. Later versions o AR 670-1 provided or the wear o the reversed ull-color US flag on the right sleeve o the DCU so the star field aces orward, giving the effect o the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves orward. Te US flag was worn centered one-hal inch below the top o the right sleeve seam o the dese rt uniorm. I the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia–Former Wartime Wartime Service Ser vice (SSI-FWS) (SSI-FWS) was worn, the US flag was sewn 1 ⁄ 8 inch below the SSI-FWS. Black and off-white inrared (IR) flags with Velcro were also introduced during the desert period or wear on some specialized uniorms—such as the Stryker Close Combat Uniorm (CCU)—and (CCU)—and by Special Operations orces on modified uniorms. Black with green background IR flags have also been produced, as well as ull-color IR flags. Note that nearly identical non-IR versions o these flags have been made or the Airso and reenacting community. US Flags were also made in desert colors and were requently seen on Special Operations uniorms.

Commercial Patches A wide variety o commercially made patches were used during the desert period. Tese patches were not government issue; rather, they were purchased by individuals or units direc tly rom vendors. A good portion o these patches were made in China or Southwest Asian countries, while others were made in the US. Tese patches were made by multi-head computerized sewing machines, where thread colors could be rapidly changed, while the Schiffli machines took significant time and effort to make these same changes. Te advantage o these patches was that they can be ordered and made quickly, providing an alternative to the more deliberate and time consuming Schiffli-produced patches. Tey were also noted or their very sharp shar p and precise details in lettering and imager y, oen surpassing their Schiffli counterparts c ounterparts in quality. quality.

These patches, thought to be made in Saudi Arabia during and after Desert Storm, feature a tan twill fabric base and crude stitching. There are also versions that feature a DBDU base fabric. Courtesy Vance Zemke

A clear comparison between official patches and theater-made patches. The theater-made version of the 82nd Airborne Division patch (right) is smaller and much thinner; evidence evidence of of being a locally produced item purchased by the soldier during his unit’s deployment.


21


A number o Army units are represented in mostly merrowed edge versions o these commercial patches, but the majority o Air Force unit patches were made in this manner, as were many US Navy aviation and Coast Guard unit patches. Tese commercial patches were usually thinner due to tighter stitching, and had a laser cut edge that sealed the patch rom raying, thus eliminating the need or a merrowed edge. Teater-Made Patches Te difference between commercial and theater-made patches is the commercial patch is generally made or resale in the United States, while theater-made patches patches were made in or near the combat theater o operations in which they were purchased and worn.

Later patches created in-theater were of a much higher quality; here is a very nice example of a theater-made 10th Mountain Division patch. Most US bases of any size in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, or other nearby countries had tailor shops capable capable of creating creating almost any desired patch or design.

Nearly every major base camp in Iraq, Aghanistan, and Kuwait sold and/or produced theater-made patches. Patches were also produced in Doha, Qatar, where US Central Command had its orward headquarters at Camp As Sayliyah. Patches made in Qatar are oen characterized by a stiffness caused by the application o white wood glue to the back o the patch. Among the earliest “theater-made” “theater-made” desert patches were those produced in Saudi Arabia during and shortly aer Desert Storm rom 1990–93. Tese patches are generally somewhat crudely made, eaturing hand-guided sewing on a tan twill base material. Moving orward a decade, early patches rom Aghanistan and Iraq were also oen crude and hand-guided. Te difference rom the earlier Saudi patches is the entire background b ackground o the patch was normally embroidered. Local patch makers would oen use blue l aundry marker to lay out the design, which was later hand-guided on a sewing se wing machine. Generally, the cruder patches were earlier production, with the very earliest versions being quite rough. In spite o their relative “crudeness,” one has to admire the t he crasmanship crasmanship o some o these patches that took great skill to sew by hand. Tese remain a collector avorite. Early versions o these patches oen included a white linen cloth glued to their reverse. Nicknamed “hajji cloth” by soldiers, its exact purpose is unknown. Tere is speculation it was a tradition in the armies o Muslim countries to put this cloth behind patches so that nothing unholy touched the uniorm, but it may have simply been a method used to finish a patch to stiffen it, thereby allowing it to hold its original shape. Whatever the reason, the practice was soon abandoned, perhaps because it was cheaper to produce a patch without the cloth backing. Patches with the white cloth backing usually indicate the patch is a very early version.

A good example of an early theater-made 1st Armored Division patch showing the uneven lettering and hand-guided sewing style common during the first years of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Courtesy Richard Killblane

Unit patches were not the only theater-made items. Shown here are examples of a theater-made Parachute Badge and a US Army tape. Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

22


An interesting collection of five early theater-made “Haji cloth” backed patches in the top two rows. They all display a similar woven cloth backing. The crudeness of the patch and the white cloth backing are good indicators these patches were made early in OEF or OIF. The bottom row of novelty patches made later have a thin backing made of more of a felt-like fabric.

number o patches a shop could make and sell while increasing the owner’s profitability. As a result, every wall and display case in these sew shops oen contained numerous examples o patches. Tese sew shops also made novelty patches that were never intended or wear on the desert uniorm, including oversized and miniature versions o unit patches that would then be applied to hats, backpacks, and the like as souvenir items. Tere were also morale tabs that represented units like “Stryker,” fictional staff positions like “Power Point” Ranger, Ranger, and whimsical reerences to popular culture like “eam America.” In addition, the local sew shops produced numerous color patches representing every topic imaginable. Examples o these patches can be ound in chapter 16. Te majority o theater-made patches are cut edge, but in later years some enterprising makers began merrowing the edges o t heir patches. Tis edge stitching is quite distinctive and different  rom US-made patches. Most o these later commercial sewing machine made patches do not have any covering on the back. Some collectors have careully labeled the exact location o where their theater-made patches were acquired. ac quired. Others were simply happy to have at least one example o a theater-made patch or each unit. Some patches were made in Kuwait and later resold in Iraq, so a patch purchased at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, may be identical to a patch purchased at a orward or ward operating base or camp in Iraq. Te variations o theater-made patches are nearly endless and could be the subject o s everal books. In the ollowing chapters chapters we show many theater-made examples o patches, but it is impossible to cover them all.

Here is one example of collection management. This collector has taped his patches to 4 × 6-inch file cards and made notations of the origin country and camp the patch was obtained from. The cards are then protected in photograph sleeves and stored in cardboard or plastic storage boxes. Courtesy Vance Zemke

Local entrepreneurs soon ound this market profitable and purchased multi-head computerized sewing machines; as a result, the quality o theater-made patches dramatically improved. Sometimes the sharpness and detail on theater-made patches are equal or superior to their US-made counterparts. Tis automation also increased the DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

23


Desert Uniform Specifications

It eatured a “bush type” jacket design eaturing our pockets with button-down button-down flaps. Te DBDU eatured 50 ⁄ 50 50 nylon and cotton twill mix; the heavy uniorm abric was theoretica lly intended to protect against the sun. In practice, it was not well suited or the desert. Te DBDU uniorm also had inrared protection characteristics. In addition to this heavier abric, there was an internal abric yoke o camouflage material that covered the upper back and made the uniorm even hotter. Tere is broad speculation as to the reason or this yoke: some say it was intended as extra protection against sunburn, others that it was intended to trap perspiration to cool the body. It was oen cut out o the uniorm by enterprising soldiers who used it or a variety o purposes, such as camouflage scr im or their helmets, cleaning rags, or protective covers to keep sand and dust out o the receivers o their weapons. Another signature eature o this uniorm was a wide collar nicknamed the “Elvis Collar” by the troops. Unortunately, the excess abric in this collar gave it a tendency to roll up in the back. Some versions o the DBDU also had hip-level side tabs and buttons to adjust the fit o the un iorm.

One would think that simply describing one DBDU and one D CU uniorm would cover all aspects o the desert uniorm period, but a study o uniorms during this period is much more nuanced. Chapter 1 provides a brie glimpse at the transition rom the DBDU to DCU. Tis section provides more detail on the manuacture, variations, variations, and modifications modifications to these uniorms, uniorms, as well as describing describing other specialized uniorms designed or the desert environment. Te Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU) Worn since the early 1980s, the original DBDU un iorm cost sixtyone dollars and was made in nearly an identical manner to the Battle Dress Uniorm (BDU) that was released at the same time. Te DBDU was nicknamed the “Chocolate Chip” because the design elements meant to mimic desert rocks looked like chocolate chips. It is also reerred to as the “cookie dough” or the six-color desert uniorm.

The difference between early versions of the six-color DBDUs and later versions can be easily seen by looking inside the coat; the extra yoke of material inside the upper portion is indicative of these earlier models.

Along with the inside yoke, some early versions of the DBDUs and DCUs came with tightening tabs on each side of the coat, allowing adjustment for fit and comfort. Part of a Desert Shield and Desert Storm display covering the capabilities of the Army’s Quartermaster Corps, this figure is wearing the complete DBDU uniform with boonie hat and desert boots. Courtesy US Army Quartermaster Museum Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

24


Shortly beore and during Desert Storm, military service members pointed out the many deficiencies o the DBDU uniorm, especially the internal yoke that made little sense in a hot desert environment. environment. As a result o these complaints, efforts were immediately made to eliminate the internal yoke and reduce the size o the collar. Te reinorcing material in the knees and elbows was also a lso eliminated. No distinction was made in stock numbers or these improved uniorms, so units continued to receive the older version. It was not until the introduction o the DCU uniorm that most o these issues were ully resolved. Even aer the DBDU was phased out, it proved to be popular in other Armed Forces and the armies o at least orty nations wore variations o the DBDU over the years. Soldiers wore subdued woodland patches, rank, and branch insignia on the DBDU uniorm. Teater-made tan name tapes have also been ound on DBDU uniorms. Qualification badges, i worn, were to be the metal pin-on version, but not everyone adhered to this requirement; requirement; in a ew cases sewn-on s ewn-on woodland camouflage qualification qualification badges have been observed on uniorms rom this time rame. It is also uncommon to see combat patches on a DBDU that was worn in Desert Storm. Tey do appear more requently on DBDU uniorms that were worn later in training exercises and in Somalia. Shortages o DBDU uniorms plagued the US Armed Forces during Desert Storm, and some units spent the entire war wearing the woodland pattern patter n Battle Dress Uniorm (BDU), only to be issued the DBDU as they returned home so the y could wear them during welcome home parades. As DBDUs were considered unit property

at the time, soldiers were required to turn them in to the ir supply rooms on return to the states, adding insult to injury.3 Interestingly enough, the only hat authorized with the DBDU was the six-color wide-brimmed boonie hat. Te traditional billed patrol cap was an optional purchase item that had to be bought rom commercial vendors. Te Kevlar helmet with DBDU cover was also worn (see appendix B or examples o this headgear). In addition, a number o types o special headgear could be worn with the DBDU, including the parachute rigger’s red baseball cap and the cook’s white hat. Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces units could wear the beret with this uniorm.

A later version of the DBDU coat with flat pockets. Among the more popular additions to uniform wear was the use of a desert scarf ( kafia kafia). ). It served the dual purpose of protecting the back of the neck from exposure to the sun and could be used to cover the mouth and nose from blowing wind and sand. This version was authorized for the 5th Special Forces Group during Desert Storm. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

The distinctive Parka, Desert Nighttime Camouflage represented an effort to defeat the first generation of night vision devices by employing a two-color grid pattern. Testing showed it was less effective against night vision devices than the standard desert camouflage uniform. No headgear was developed in this pattern, although commercial versions of it can be found.


Parka and rousers, Desert Nighttime Camouflage Te US military also developed a special uniorm to wear over the DBDU at night. Officially named the “Parka, Desert Camouflage, Night Pattern” Pattern” and the “ “ rousers, Desert Deser t Camouflage, Night Pattern,” Pattern,” this uniorm had cloth made o a twill weave o 50% cotton, 49% nylon, and 1% static disruptive disrupt ive fiber. It had a hood and slit-type hand openings in the parka and pants so the pockets o the DBDU could be accessed without wit hout removing the garment. Tis uniorm was intended to provide protection when the temperatures dropped at night in the desert. Tey also provided passive deense against night vision devices by using a unique light and dark green grid pattern camouflage that that had scattered irregular blobs o dark green, presumably to mimic desert rocks and sand. Tis parka was based on the design o an existing “fish tail” Parka Extreme Cold Weather that had been in use since WWII. Tere was a special liner that could be buttoned inside the night pattern desert parka. Wear o the DBDU night uniorm was discontinued afer Desert Storm, as studies indicated it was no more effective than the standard desert uniform at night. It was replaced by the DCU cold weather field jacket, which was based on the pattern o the woodland BDU field jacket.4

25


Soldiers load on to a USAF aircraft in preparation for deployment to Desert Storm. In addition to the Desert Nighttime Camouflage parka soldiers are wearing a combination of DBDU helmet covers and floppy hats. This photo also provides a great example of the standard equipment worn or carried during this period, such as the M17 protective mask, M-16 rifle, OD Green pistol belt, and the load bearing equipment called “TA-50” gear. Courtesy US Air Force

Te Desert Combat Uniform (DCU) Te three-color DCU uniorm was issued on a limited basis as early as 1989; there is some evidence it was worn during Desert Storm. Service members quickly nicknamed it the “coffee stain” uniorm because o its large blotches o color. color. Te majority o the early DCUs appear to have been issued to the US Air Force. DCU manuacturing began beore the start o Desert Storm and early versions had all or many o the characteristics o the DBDU, including the heavy 50 50 nylon and cotton twill cloth, ⁄ 50 internal yoke, wide “Elvis Collar,” and in some cases side adjustment tabs and buttons. o distinguish them rom the DBDU, DBDU, the DCU was initially given the nomenclature “Desert

An example of the Desert Nighttime Camouflage parka manufacturer’s tag. This parka was made made by Selma Apparel Corporation Corporation under under a 1983 contract. Selma Apparel was sued for contract fraud by the US government in 1987 and was suspended from government work. The company was later acquired by American Apparel.

Another uniform from the Army’s Quartermaster Museum; shown here is a Natick Laboratory test sample of a DCU coat. Note the colors seem somewhat lighter than most of the DCU uniforms that were eventually issued. Courtesy US Army Quartermaster Museum

The Desert Nighttime Camouflage parka worn over the DBDU during during stateside stateside predeployment predeployment training training for Desert Storm. From a distance the distinctive two-color grid grid pattern looks looks solid green. These These soldiers are also wearing nonstandard jungle boots. Courtesy US Army


26


Early versions of DCU coats were manufactured with the inside yoke of material in the upper back and shoulders just like the early DBDU coats. These were eliminated in later versions.

A standard DCU coat as issued to a staff sergeant assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Of interest here, and providing an indication this was an early version, are the wide “Elvis” collars that proved unpopular with the soldiers and were later reduced in size.

The standard DCU trousers are seen here. Somewhat uniquely, the soldier issued these trousers has has had his name tape added to the right rear pocket. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

27


Te DCU boonie, the patrol style billed cap, and the combat helmet with DCU cover were worn with this uniorm (see appendix B or examples o this headgear). In addition, like the DBDU, a variety o authorized specialized headgear could be worn with this uniorm.5

Desert Uniform Wear Periods by Military Service - US Marine Corps, 1980s to 2002–03, replaced by the Desert version o the Marine Corps Combat C ombat Utility Uniorm Uniorm (MCCUU), better known as the Marine Pattern (MARPA) uniorm. - US Army, 1980s to 2005–06, replaced by the Army Combat Uniorm (ACU) - US Air Force, 1980s to 2007–08, replaced by the Airman Battle Uniorm (ABU) - US Navy and US C oast Guard, 1980s to 2011–12, replaced by the Navy Working Uniorm (NWU), ype II (Desert) 6

Just as there are variations in camouflage uniforms uniforms depending on manufacturer, there are also variations between patches produced by stateside manufacturers. This array of 82nd Airborne Division DCU coats and patches shows many of the subtle variations in color, shading, and shape between patches. Also visible here are the not-so-subtle differences between the early wide collars and the subsequent narrow collars.

Procurement and Manufacturing Te Deense Logistics Agency (DLA) was responsible or determining requirements and procuring desert des ert uniorms or all o the US armed services. By law, the Berry Amendment required US military uniorms to be made in the t he US. Tis was intended to ensure a stable domestic manuacturing base that could be called upon in time o increased need by the US military. Since the DBDU uniorm was so new, DLA provided manuacturers with the basic materials or the uniorm, including thread, buttons, and DBDU cloth. A number o textile firms—mostly in the southern s outhern United States and Puerto Rico—were contracted to produce DBDU and D CU uniorms or DLA. o o support Desert Des ert Storm, DLA purchas purchased ed 3.2 million DBDUs and DCUs costing over $99 million by January 1991. 7 As a result o the constantly increasing demands o Desert Storm, DLA had to reach out to new manuacturers. As an example, they contracted with Wrangler Wrangler to produce one million DBDU and DCU trousers. Wrangler had not had a military clothing contract since the Vietnam War.8 DLA’s procurement policy in the 1980s was to find the lowest price. Due to this “lowest bidder” approach and significant requirements or uniorms during Desert Storm there were several issues meeting contract deadlines and incidents o raud by the manuacturers. Ironically, the brie nature o the fi rst Gul War War and the subsequent cancellation o large uniorm contracts at its conclusion caused several manuacturers to go out o business. Existing stocks o DBDUs and DCUs rom this period satisfied the US Armed Forces’ desert uniorm needs or several years aer Desert Storm. DLA had its own uniorm production capability at the Deense Personal Support Center (DPSC)/Deense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), employing nearly a thousand workers. DPSC has supplied uniorms to the US military since the Civil War. War. Beginning in WWII, it manuactured uniorms to meet special size and tariff requirements that during the desert period included DBDU and DCU uniorms. DPSC also provided DLA with a surge capability to make uniorms on short notice. In 1990, DSCP produced up to a thousand s ets o DBDU uniorms weekly. During slower periods DPSC was given

Camouflage Pattern (Tree-Color): Combat.” As a result o complaints about this uniorm model, changes were made in the early 1990s that eliminated the yoke, shortened the collar, and most importantly, changed the abric to a lighter weight ripstop poplin weave o 50% cotton, 49% nylon, and 1% static disruptive disr uptive fiber. Te coat and trousers weigh a total o 3.38 lb. (1.5 kg). Tere were twenty-two standard st andard sizes o this uniorm (X-Small to XX-Large). Te abric had a water repellent treatment. Cloth reinorcement was added to the high-wear elbow, knee, and buttock areas. Te same stock number numbe r was used or both versions o the uniorm and units continued to receive the older version until stocks were exhausted.

A representative sample of “US Army” and name tapes from DBDU and DCU uniforms. Even a cursory inspection reveals that practically any color tape and thread was used on uniforms of the desert period and that the possible combination combinationss of material, material, colors, and and letter fonts fonts are endless. These tapes were made by countless shops outside military installations, could be purchased by mail order, or were made in-theater.

Between 1993 and 1995, large-scale large-sca le issue o the DCU was seen in support o operations in Somalia. Dur ing this transitional time the DBDU was still worn and issued. Woodland Woodland subdued insignia continued to be worn on the DCU up to the t he early years o operations in Aghanistan and Iraq. By this time standard tan-colored name tapes were the norm rather than the exception. Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

28


production runs to ensure continued capability—generally around 3% o all uniorms made. Because these production runs were such a small percentage o the uniorms manuactured, DPSC-made DBDU and DCU labeled uniorms are among the hardest to find. DPSC’s DPSC’s Deense Clothing Factory (DCF) closed its doors in 1994, as a result o the consolidation o DLA in the military drawdown aer Desert Storm. Aer DPSC’s closure, commercial manuacturers were required to make special size and tariff DCU clothing. In the mid-1990s, DLA changed its procurement ocus rom lowest cost to best value, ensuring only the highest quality manuacturers would produce DCU uniorms. Contracts were generally granted or a base year plus our option years, so a DCU containing a contract number rom 1997 could have been made

anywhere rom 1997 to 2001. Contracts were now flexible and contained indefinite quantity/delivery provisions that had minimum and maximum qualities o DCUs to be produced. Tis meant the contractor could surge to meet increased requirements or DLA could reduce DCU requirements to the minimum quantity in low demand times. Generally 10%–20% o uniorms were required to be made by the seventy-two prison actories o UNICOR, the Federal Prison Industries (FPI). FPI not only employed ederal prisoners to make DCUs and desert boots, they also used inmates to repair and clean damaged DCUs.9 Other organizations that were given priority or DCU uniorm contracts were the National Center or the Employment o the Disabled, Goodwill Industries, and National Industries or the Blind. During this period the largest private military clothing manuacturer was Puerto Rico-based Propper International, ollowed by American Apparel. Apparel.10 Te demand or DCUs was so high at the beginning o Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 that over 21,000 textile texti le workers were laboring to clothe the US military with DCUs and other uniorm items. DLA spent more than a billion dollars on uniorm procurement. Over 110 acilities in several states and cities ranging rom Miami to Phoenix and all the way north to Sandstone, Minnesota, produced DCU components.11 Many o the companies that had supplied uniorms or Desert Storm had either gone out o business or outsourced their production to places like China, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. Tis lack o capacity caused some shortages at the beginning o OIF, as DCU uniorm issue requirements increased rom two uniorms per service member to our. Once again, as a result o shortage some units entered combat with a mix o BDU and DCU uniorms and equipment e quipment..

These next two photographs demonstrate the range of sizes for DCUs; shown here is the “X-SMALL - X-SHORT” coat worn by a sergeant major assigned to the Third Army.

Suppliers, Contract Numbers, and Sizes DLA contracted with hundreds o suppliers in the US to produce DBDU/DCU uniorms and headgear. Understanding makers, contract numbers, and sizes may provide valuable insight to collectors on the rarity and “collectability” o a uniorm. For example, traditionally collectors shy away rom small sizes and gravitate to more desirable larger uniorms. Part o this is human nature: a collector oen wants something that would fit them, although they may never intend to wear the uniorm. Small-sized DBDUs/DCUs may have been worn by emale soldiers who are historically ew in number—12.5% number—12.5% to 14% active a ctive Army, 23% Army Reserve, and 16% Army National Guard—so a small-sized 1st sergeant or sergeant major’s major’s DBDU or DCU very likely may have bee been n worn by a emale noncommissioned officer. Due to their limited numbers, these uniorms may become more valuable in years to come. An XXL DBDU/DCU most likely was worn by a Department o Deense civilian or contractor. Tis rare size may be desirable to collectors who specialize in this field o collecting.

Size Size tags are in the neck area o the DBDU/DCU, just below the collar. Size tags are relatively straightorward; an example o a typical tag (with explanation in parentheses) would be: MEDIUM – REGULAR (Size) Height: 67 to 71 IN. (Height Range) Chest: 37 to 41 IN. (Chest Size Range) Stock Number: 8415-01 8415-01327-5398 327-5398 (Unique National Stock Number) NAO Size: 7080/9404

On the other end of the scale is this “X-LARGE LONG” coat worn by a West Virginia National Guardsman. According to DLA sources, coats in these extreme extreme ends of of the size spectrum were usually made made at the Defense Personal Support Center (DPSC) or contracted out to UNICOR Prison Industries. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

29


Te ollowing table provides a glimpse o standard sizes issued or the DCU uniorm:12

the lower right side o the DBDU and DCU uniorms. Over the years they have varied in size and color: white, tan, or green. Te basic inormation on these tags included the nomenclature o the uniorm, contract number, abric composition, the contractor’s name, and laundering instructions. instructions. A typical DCU tag might look like this:

MIL-DTL-4408H SCHEDULE OF SIZES

X-Small

Small

Medium

Large

X-Large

XX-Large

XXX-Short XX-Short

XX-Short

XX-Short

X-Short

X-Short

X-Short

X-Short

Short

Short

Short

Short

Short

Regular

Regular

Regular

Regular

Regular

L on g

L on g

L on g

L on g

L on g

X-Long

X-Long

X-Long

X-Long

Coat, Desert Deser t Camouflage, Pattern, Combat (Nomenclature) 50% Cotton/50% Nylon (Fabric Composition) Composition) SPO100-99-0-0343 SPO100-99-0-0343 (Contract (C ontract Number) American Apparel (Contractor) Laundering Instructions Te contract number provides perhaps the most important import ant inormation on this tag. Uniorms produced beore 1977 would have a Deense Supply Agency prefix (DSA). From 1977 to 1993, the Deense Logistics Agency used use d a modified orm o the DSA contract number, substituting DLA or DSA. For example, the breakdown o DLA100-90-D-0584 is:

X-Long

XX-Long

Contract Information In appendix A we have provided a list o manuacturers and a visual selection o DBDU and DCU jacket contract tags that reflect a cross section o the uniorm makers. Tese contract tags were sewn into

DLA- Deense Logistics Agency - 100 - commodity code o clothing and textiles - 90 - contract year o 1990 - D - represented the type o contract, in this case indefinite delivery or C-, which represents contracts o all t ypes except indefinite delivery contracts and very rarely - B - invitation or bids. - 0584 identifies the unique contract number From 1994 on, the System Program Offices (SPO) conducted contract procurement actions or DLA. Tey used an alphanumeric code called the Procurement Instrument Identification (PII) Numbering System. For example, the breakdown o SPO100-99-D-0343 is:

SPO100- represented the Deense Personal Support Center Philadelphia (DPSC), which provided clothing and textiles. - 99 - Indicated a uniorm contracted in 1999. Keep in mind that contracts had a base year and up to our option years, so a 1999 contract uniorm could have also been made in 2000, 2001, 2003, or 2004. - D - represented the type o contract, which in this case is indefinite deliver y. - 0343, identified the unique contract number.13 Assembly o a uniorm represents the e nd o the supply chain, including several other contractors who produce and dye the abric or provide thread and buttons. Every step o this process is governed by MIL-DL-44048H DEAIL SPECIFICAION, COAS, CAMOUFLAGE PAERN, COMBA , which prescribed in exacting detail the standards or DCU and BDU uniorms. However, However, there were differences rom this standard; two nearly identical uniorms made by the same manuacturer may display marked differences in color because o variances in the color o the dyes. Even the shade o the tan buttons and the thread may be slightly different. Laundry and Owner’s Markings A great way to help veriy authenticity o uniorms is to check your DBDUs and DCUs or laundry and owner markings. On some uniorms you may find the original owner’s roster number inked into the collar. It It is usually the first letter o their last name and the last our digits o their social security number (i.e., A-1234). On

The cleaning instructions and manufacturer’s label inside an 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment coat provide information that this DCU was made under the terms of a 1997 contract by Unicor-Manchester, a medium security federal correctional institution in Manchester Manchester,, Kentucky, and one of several prisons in the federal prison industry program. Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

30


reerence exists to catalog them all. A quick glance at online auction sites may leave the casual observer b elieving the market is saturated with genuine modified uniorms, but commercially made “Raid” uniorms and those modified by Airso enthusiasts make up a good portion o these offerings. What makes this task e ven more difficult is some soldiers and units did use commercially made modified DCUs, like ru-Spec. ru-Spec. Collectors can make educated guesses about the origins o modified uniorms based on the experience o handling lots o original material in their own and other collections, visiting online orums to discuss modified uniorms with ellow collectors, and careully checking sellers’ histories to look at previous sales beore bidding on online auctions. Finding uniorms in flea markets, garage sales, or thri and surplus stores near major military bases would also increase the likelihood o finding original modified uniorms. Te most reliable guarantee o authenticity is to acquire the uniorm directly rom a veteran. Te large variety o modified uniorms are worthy o detailed analysis in a book o their own and any discussion here will only scratch the surace o what is possible to find. As a general rule o thumb,

Clearly marked with permanent ink, this soldier’s laundry mark follows the traditional traditional laundry laundry marking standard standard established established during WWII: WWII: first initial of the last name followed by the last four digits of the soldier’s service number.

Found everywhere inside uniforms of the period and practically indestructible, these small tapes were added when soldiers turned their uniforms in for cleaning and allowed launderers to associate the uniform with the soldier’s paper receipt.

Probably the most recognizable modified DCU, an excellent example of an early US Army Ranger modified uniform. It features the Ranger’s signature black Velcro and IR reflective squares on the shoulder pockets. The Velcro was used to attach US flags or blood type information. Typically, they did not wear the distinctive Ranger scroll unit patch on this uniform.

other uniorms and hats it is simply the rank and name that is written. Laundry tags are also a reliable indicator o an original uniorm. Tese were made in all colors and can be ironed inside the uniorm or attached by staples to a button hole or the bottom o the shirt, as well as the top o trousers. Modified Uniforms Members o the US military have been modiying the DBDU and DCU since they were first issued, providing the collector with many opportunities and challenges. Tere is a huge amount o diversity in the modifications encountered on DCUs and no reliable comprehensive DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Modifications were made by soldiers to move the bottom pockets on the coat to the upper upper arms for comfort comfort and ease ease of access. This example is from a 30th Armored Brigade National Guardsman. 31


This heavily modified special operations DCU is a prime example of how hard it can be to identify the branch of service that used it. It has characteristics of DCUs used by the Navy SEALs and Air Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC) units. Courtesy Paul Madden

modified uniorms with less Velcro tend to be earlier and modified Special Operations uniorms are more plentiul than those modified uniorms worn by conventional units. Modified jackets badged to regular inantry units are especially difficult to locate. Tere are no absolute rules or modified jackets; there are always some subtle differences between these uniorms that at first glance look absolutely identical. So why did US service members modiy their uniorms? In most cases it was to meet specific mission requirements or to make the uniorm more comortable or useul. Te advent o modern body armor worn continuously continuously during combat operations made access to the our jacket pockets

The front and back of a 2nd Infantry Division patch shows the addition of Velcro mimicking the shape shape of the unit unit patch. patch. In addition addition to use on modified DCUs, Velcro Velcro patches were also used on the Close Combat Uniform (CCU)

Flipping up the collars on the special operations coat seen in the previous photograph reveals that Velcro has also been added here and on the shoulders. This allows the addition of infrared identification tabs. Courtesy Paul Madden

o the DCU uniorm impractical. Removal and placement o the two lower jacket pockets on the arms o the uniorm solved this problem and oreshadowed the Army Combat Uniorm (ACU), which has purpose-made pockets on the arms. Special operations units saw convenience using Velcro on the collar, above pockets, and on the arms to quickly remove identiying insignia when the mission required it. Others simply replaced the buttons on their pockets with Velcro Velcro or ease o access. As a general rule o thumb the straighter the arm pocket, the earlier the modification; the more angled the pocket, the newer the modification. modific ation. Another modification is to simply change the DCU upper chest pockets to angle outward or easier access u nder body armor. Modifications Modifications on the DBDU/ DCU have also been done proessionally at unit-wide level, as well as more crudely by individual service members. Every Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps Special Operations unit used modified mo dified uniorms, including Army Rangers, Special Forces, Delta Force, Navy Seals, and Marine C orps Special Operations eam (MSO) members. Air Force Combat Control eam members (CCs) and Para-rescuemen (PJs), as well as members

In this example, the amount of Velcro sewn to the uniform’s right sleeve had to be big enough to allow attachment of the large 2nd Infantry Division patch and a US flag. Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

32


o the Coast Guard modified their uniorms. Pocket location, angle, and Velcro Velcro positioning varied widely rom unit to unit. Blood types, roster numbers, and allergy allerg y identification (or example, NKDA = No Known Drug Allergies) were sometimes written directly onto uniorms with marking pens; at other times they were attached by Velcro or sewn se wn on with embroidered embroidered name tape material. It oen takes an experienced collector to identiy who wore these uniorms. Army Ranger uniorms may be airly straightorward, with conventional name tapes and rank, and their lower DCU pockets were moved to the arm, each with a strip o black Velcro. Velcro. Others heavily laden with tan, green, or black Velcro Velcro may be more challenging or the novice to identiy. Several major Army conventional units have worn the modified uniorm, including including but not limited to tthe he 3rd, 4th, and 25th Inantry Divisions, as well as the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 173rd Airborne and 30th Armored Brigades. Even signal units modified their uniorms. Generally these DCU modifications ocused

on the removal o the lower pockets and placement on the upper arms, but the placement o pockets near or below the elbow has been verified. In some cases the lower pockets were le intact and additional pockets were added to the arms rom another uniorm or a six-pocket configuration. One o the most common modifications o the DCU uniorm was the addition o squares o grey “glint tape” or black inrared (IR) reflective markers that would provide brilliant IR reflection when seen through night vision devices. Early in OEF/OIF, OEF/OIF, soldiers cut out their own grayish IR squares and then sewed, taped, or Velcroed them to their arms and the top o the helmet. Later the standard one by one-inch black IR squares with Velcro backing became available which could be easily attached or removed rom the uniorm.14

Specialized Uniforms and Other Apparel Close Combat Uniforms Tese uniorms were produced in a limited trial and issued to Stryker Brigade units deploying to Iraq at the beginning o O peration Iraqi Freedom. Tey were produced under two contracts by American Power Source o Columbus, Mississippi. Te first was 2003 (Contract SPO106-03-D-0351), when the uniorm was identified as the Close Combat Uniorm (CCU). Te second was in 2004 (Contract SPM100-

Along with the addition of Velcro to the coat’s left sleeve, this 101st Airborne Division Division soldier soldier has had his his uniform repaired, most likely by a local tailor. This coat has seen particularly hard usage, as evidenced by the repair over the left breast breast pocket pocket and the the wear on the the “US Army” tape, both both most likely likely caused by the soldier’ soldier’ss load bearing equipment rubbing against them. Courtesy Paul Madden

Army Close Combat Uniform (CCU) belonging to a field artillery captain assigned to the 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq. Note the unusual unusual angle of the pockets pockets and short length length of the coat compared compared to DCUs. Courtesy Jason Aileo

Another very nice example of an authorized 101st Airborne Division patch that has an unusual green Velcro backing for affixing to the soldier’s DCU coat. Courtesy Paul Madden DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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A US soldier assigned to a Stryker brigade in a snowstorm in Al Kosh, Iraq, while wearing the Close Combat Uniform. Courtesy Jason Aileo

The manufacturer’s label inside the 2nd Infantry Division CCU coat, indicating this version was made by American Power Source, Inc. Courtesy Jason Aileo

For comparison between the two types of CCU coats: the two versions of the arm bellows pockets. The primary difference between the 2003 and and 2004 model model is that the earlier version has the Velcro Velcro split on the pocket into two sections, while the later version uses one solid piece.

A pair of Close Combat Uniform trousers designed specifically for soldiers assigned to the Stryker brigades in Iraq. Specifcations, Modifcations, and “Theater-Made”

34


04-D-0367), when the uniorm designation desi gnation changed to Coat, Combat Uniorm (CU). Te major difference between the two is that the 2003 uniorm has a split piece o Velcro Velcro on each arm bellows p pocket ocket and the 2004 uniorm has a solid piece o Velcro Velcro on the arm pockets. In the 2004 version, the area around the collar was also reinorced, as well as the zipper line o the jacket. Units that wore the CCU were the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Inantry Division (Stryker) and 1st Brigade, 25th Inantry Division (Stryker), both o which were stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. Like the DCU, the uniorm was 50 ⁄ 5500 nylon and many o the eatures eatures that cotton twill. Te jacket has many would later be adopted adopte d in the Army Combat Uniorm (ACU). For example, it has a zipper with a Velcro closure to secure the ront flap over the zipper. Te elbow areas have oam pad inserts that can be taken out via Velcro closures. It also has horizontal breast pockets and shoulder pockets with snap closures covered in Velcro. Tere are Velcro-adjustable wrists and a mandarin-style collar. Tere are also pen/ pencil pockets on the le sleeve. Name tapes were worn on the uniorm above the chest pockets and the rank was sewn centered above the wearer’s right name tape. Te pants are slightly different rom the ACU pattern pants in that they have elastic sewn to the rear edge o the cuffs. Tey have our regular internal pockets that button, a button fly, and our leg pockets closed with Velcro: two on the thighs and two on the calves. Te thigh pockets also have bungee cords to help tighten them and secure and retain their contents. Note that there were also prototype versions versions o this uniorm tested in 2002 and early 2003. In addition to the DCU pattern, these prototype uniorms were produced in the woodland BDU pattern, Urban racks, and Multicam.15

The inside label from the flight jacket, indicating this was made under a 2005 contract by DJ Manufacturing Corporation.

Another flight suit, this time belonging to an Army major assigned to an aviation brigade serving in Afghanistan. Courtesy Craig Demby

an extremely rare, early variation o the DBDU pattern. Tese uniorms were first seen by collectors in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the Deense Reutilization and Marketing Offices (DRMOs) started disposing o them as surplus. Tey have several eatures not seen in the later DBDU, including epaulettes on the shirt and expanding split pockets on the shirt and trousers. Te trousers also had buttons positioned around the waistband

Coat, Special Forces Airborne Tis uniorm is still a bit o a mystery; some believe it was a trial uniorm and most have been ound in unused u nused condition. With contract number 1977, it is

One of the favorite issue items in OIF was the khaki-colored khaki-colored lightweight lightweight flight flight jacket. jacket. Belonging to an aviator assigned to “B” Company of the 3/158th Aviation Battalion, the patch indicates this jacket was in wear long after the DCUs had been discontinued for ground forces. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

35


to accommodate field suspenders. (For images o the Special Forces Airborne uniorm reer to chapter 8, Army Special Operations Forces.) Flight Uniforms Aviators Aviators and air crews rom all services used the tan one-piece and two-piece flight uniorms and lightweight flyer’s flyer’s jacket. Tere were also tan Nomex flyer gloves. Te tan flight jacket with knit cuffs and waistband is quite sought aer by collectors. Te two-piece flight suit, used mostly by the Army, came in two versions: the our-color woodland camouflage Aircrew Battledress Uniorm (ABU) and the De sert an 380. Te Air Force designation or the one-piece desert tan fl ight suit worn by all o US Armed Forces was the Desert Flight Duty Uniorm. Both uniorms were made o 92% Nomex, 5% Kevlar, and 3% static disruptive fiber. Tis composition was designed to protect the wearer rom flash fires. A flight crew member was issued three o these uniorms. In addition to use by flight crews, the one-piece flight uniorm was also used or a limited period by soldiers conducting convoy operations because o their Nomex fire resistant proprieties. Coveralls, Combat Vehicle Crewman Tis uniorm was produced in a tan version or desert use. Made o a 92% Nomex, 5% Kevlar, and 3% static disruptive fiber blend, it was intended to provide combat vehicle crewmen protection rom flash fires. Another key eature o this uniorm was that it had an internal extraction strap located in the upper back t hat aided pulling an injured crewmember out o a vehicle.

The inside label from the crewmen’s coveralls provides the information they were contracted contracted for in 1991 and that they are made made from 100 percent aromatic polyamides. This material is extremely resistant to chemicals and heat; a very important feature in uniforms worn by vehicle crews who are often exposed to extreme heat from the effects of anti-armor ammunition. Courtesy Richard Killblane

Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit echnology echnology (JSLIS) ( JSLIS) NBC Suit Te JSLIS NBC suit first saw limited production in 1997 and cost the US government over $270 each. Even today examples o the JSLIS can be expensive to acquire. Several hundred thousand JSLISs JSLISs were produced rom 2000–2005. It was worn over the DCU and weighed 5.6 pounds—15% lighter and less bulky than the previous suit. Te JSLIS is 50 ⁄ 50 50 cotton/nylon poplin ripstop abric and water repellent. Te liner consists o activated carbon spheres that absorb chemical agents. Tere is one pocket on the le sleeve. Te JSLIS repels water and its inner layer is designed to provide the user with protection rom the effec ts o chemical agents. Te three-color desert JSLI was issued once stocks o older NBC suits were exhausted or reached their shel lie expiration. It was not unusual to see soldiers and Marines e arly in OIF and OEF wearing the older Suit, Chemical Protective (Overgarment) in the our-color our-color woodland camouflage pattern. Te JSLIS jacket has a hood and zipper covered by a Velcro flap. An elastic drawcord was placed at the bottom o the Velcro Velcro wrist closures.

A set of “Coveralls, Combat Vehicle Crewmen” from two different angles and displaying two nice examples of theater-made patches: on the left sleeve the 48th Infantry Brigade and the 1st Armored Division on the right. Courtesy Richard Killblane


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This DCU patterned JSLIST NBC suit was used for training and demonstrates the major feature: an integrated hood that separates it from the earlier version Suit, Chemical Protective (Overgarment). Although slightly lighter and less bulky than its predecessor, long term wear of this suit was still a hot and uncomfortable experience in a desert environment.

This JSLIST NBC suit is being worn by an airman nearly a decade after the end of the desert period. These suits are still being used for training. He is also wearing the M50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask introduced in 2009.

The manufacturer’s tag on the JSLIST NBC suit indicates it was made by Creative Apparel Associates of Belmont, Maine, a joint venture between the Passamaquoddy Passamaquoddy Indian Tribe Tribe and J&P J&P Apparel Associates Associates.. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Other Desert Clothing Cl othing Items Tere were many other DCU camouflage clothing items that are beyond the scope o the book but deserve mention:

- Mechanics Coveralls, ype II, Desert Camouflage Print, an. an. - Field Jacket, Cold Weather, Weather, Desert. Dese rt. - Parka, Gore-ex, Cold Weather, Desert three-color. - rousers, Gore-ex, Desert. - Coat Combat BDU, an. Tis was an all tan-colored DCU-like uniorm worn by various units. - Fighting Load Carrier (FLC) Set (Combat Vest), Molle, Style Number 4117 Desert C amo. - Cover, Field Pack, Camouflage, Desert. Tere was also a DBDU patterned pack cover. Tese are both quite common and aer they were sold to the public as surplus were oen seen as spare tire covers on the backs o vehicles. - Cover, Body Armor, Fragmentation, Fragmentation, Desert. Tis was worn over woodland pattern body armor and officially called Fragmentation Protective Vest, Personal Armor System or Ground roops (PASG). (PASG). Tere is also a DBDU version o this cover. cover. - Cover, Individual Individual Camo Desert Knit Mesh; Daytime Desert Camo Pattern. Tis was desert-colored mesh sheet that could be used or individual camouflage. - Pad, Knee and Elbow, Elbow, Desert Deser t Camo. - Hydration System, Molle, Style Number 5030 Desert Camo.


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CHA PT ER 3

Army Commands, Activities, and Agencies

Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan (CFC-A) was the US element of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations.

Army commands worldwide provided support to operations in Iraq, Aghanistan, and Kuwait during the desert period. Understanding the organization o the Army at the command level can be daunting, so we have endeavored to assist the reader in understanding these organizations organizations and their missions, as well displaying the desert patches they wore.

represents the rugged terrain o Aghanistan and the color white symbolizes the snowcapped mountains and the promotion o regional security and stability. stabilit y. Te Te US Central Command patch was worn until this CFC-A patch was authorized and produced.

Commands Specific to Iraq and Afghanistan During the desert period, the US established three major commands specific to Iraq and Aghanistan that were represented in desert patches. Tese major headquarters were responsible or the US military’ militar y’ss combat efforts in these theaters o war. Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan (CFC-A); Kabul, Afghanistan CFC-A replaced the provisional Combined Joint ask Force 180 in 2003. It assumed the mission o providing command and control o all coalition orces in Aghanistan. Te imagery on the CLC-A patch—authorized on August 25, 2005—eatures an eagle to represent the United States. A mountain

The DCU late-model coat from an infantry officer assigned to the CFC-A. Note the more highly detailed CFC-A patch than the one seen in the previous photograph.

US Army Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan, talks with Col. Patrick J. Donahue II, commander of the 1st Brigade, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in Nuristan, Afghanistan. Note Gen. Eikenberry is still wearing the CENTCOM patch, an indication this was before the CFC-A patch became commonly available.

Multi-National Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF–I); Baghdad, Iraq Te MNF-I replaced the Combined Joint ask ask Force 7 on May 15, 2004, and provided theater-wide operational command and control o coalition orces in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Te patch—authorized on January 7, 2005, and amended on February 23, 2005—has symbolism that includes a star representing a vision o unity or the seven main ethnic or religious religi ous groups o Iraq (Sunni, Shia, Kurd, urkoman, Assyrian, Yazidi, and Armenian), leading DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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to a more secure, prosperous, and ree uture. Te crossed scimitars o the insignia symbolize the partnership between multinational orces and Iraqi security orces essential to bringing a democratic way o lie to Iraq. Te palm ronds symbolize peace and prosperity or the new nation. Te statue o the Mesopotamian human-headed winged bull recalls the rich heritage o Iraq and underscores strength and protection or the people o Iraq.

The DCU coat belonging to an experienced infantry colonel. In addition to his Expert Expert Infantryman’ Infantryman’ss Badge, Master Parachute Parachute Badge, Badge, and Ranger Tab, he has been trained as a pathfinder and wears the seldom seen Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge. His Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF–I) patch includes the symbolic Lamassu (a (a winged bull or lion with a man’s head) representing Iraq. Two variations of the Multi-National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I) patch: on the left is the authorized version and on the right is a theater-made example. Because the patch was approved in 2005—late in the desert period—it can be difficult to find DCUs with the MNC-I patch.

Multinational Corps - Iraq (MNC-I); Baghdad, Iraq Te MNC-I was established on May 15, 2004, to provide tactical level command and control o collation orces in Iraq. A number o US Army corps headquarters were rotated into Iraq to provide personnel or MNC-I headquarters. Te symbolism o the patch that was approved on January 14, 2005, invokes the US national colors red, white, and blue. Te blue wavy bars represent the igris and Euphrates Rivers and Iraq’s title, “the land o two rivers.” Te black pheon spear represents military readiness and might. Te palm wreath highlights the service o t he Multi-National Multi-National Corps and soldiers in Iraq.

Three variations of the MNF-I patch. The two patches on the left are US made and the patch on the right is theater-made in Iraq. Of interest here is the center patch, patch, which uses uses two different different colors of thread thread for theLamassu theLamassu .

Unified Combatant Commands US Armed Forces are distributed among unified combatant commands comprised o orces rom two or more services. Tese The shoulder patch worn by members of Joint Forces Command (JFCOM)—a multi-service unified combatant command assigned to develop new military capabilities and technologies technolo gies in support support of joint operations. The patch was approved in 1999 and the organization was disbanded in 2010.

This is a nice souvenir patch showing the color version of the Multi-National Force - Iraq patch, indicating it was from Camp Victory in Baghdad. Courtesy Vance Zemke Army Commands, Activities, and Agencies

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Established in 2002, US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) has the mission of protecting the territory and national interests of the United States in North America. Displayed here are three variations of the basic authorized patch: the two on the left are US-made, the center patch has an interesting black Velcro backing, and the patch on the right is theater-made. theater -made.

US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) is responsible for operations in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and defense of the Panama Canal. This patch was authorized in 2003 for Army personnel assigned to SOUTHCOM.

The desert version US Central Command (CENTCOM) patch saw service for over fifteen years and was produced in many variations over this extended extended period period of time. These These CENTCOM CENTCOM patches show a wide variety of colors and sewing techniques. The darker colored patches in the center row were intended for use on woodland pattern BDUs.

The authorized shoulder patch for the US Army Element Headquarters Pacific Command (USAPACOM). This patch was worn by soldiers assigned to USAPACOM Army Headquarters activities. The patch was approved for wear in 2002.

-US Northern Command (NORHCOM), Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado (established April 25, 2002). -US Army North/Fih Army (USARNORH), Fort Sam Houston, exas.

unified commands are primarily determined by geographical actors and are commonly reerred to as “theaters.” Other unified commands are determined by mission-oriented unction, such as transportation or Special Operations. Tey provide command and control o orces over large geographic areas o the world. During the desert era the Unified Combatant Commands Commands and their subordinate Army serv ice component commands (ASCCs) were:

-US European Command (EUCOM), Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany -US Army Europe (USAEUR), Heidelberg, Germany. Germany. (no known desert patch)

-US Joint Forces Command ( JFCOM) Norolk, Virginia (disbanded in 2011). -US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), Fort McPherson, Georgia.

-US Central Command (CENCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. -US Army Central/Tird Army (USARCEN), Fort McPherson, Georgia (see chapter 4, Armies and Corps)


-US Southern Command (SOUHCOM), Miami, Florida. -US Army South/Sixth Army (USARSO), Fort Sam Houston, exas. -US Pacific Command (PACOM), Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. -US Army Pacific (USAPAC), Fort Shaer, Hawaii.

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A joint command with a transportation focus, the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) provides transportation transporta tion and distribution distribution support to all of the the military services. services. Shown here are two very different variations of the TRANSCOM patch with a theater-made patch on the right. It was approved in 2002. Another version of the CENTCOM patch—shown here on the left sleeve of a DCU coat—was one of the very first patches rendered in desert colors. Authorized February 22, 1991, this patch features an upraised sword and shield, signifying military preparedness and vigilance. The palm suggests the geographic theater of operations and symbolizes victory.

A made for collectors patch of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). AFRICOM was established in 2007, after the desert uniform period had ended for the Army.

The DCU coat and hat belonging to a CW4 assigned to the US forces in Kuwait involved in training the the Kuwaiti Army after Desert Storm and assigned to CENTCOM. Courtesy CW5 (ret) John L. Birkner Army Commands, Activities, and Agencies

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The patch authorized in 1997 for the US Army element of the US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It replaced the Strategic Air Command (SAC) at the end of the Cold Cold War in 1992 and merged with United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) in 2002.

Augmenting the combat units in Desert Storm were a large number of specialists providing skills in water purification, power generation, and a number of other logistics or engineering skills. The patch on this soldier’s DBDUs indicates she is an augmentee from US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). Courtesy US Army

Types of Army Commands Te Army has three types o commands: Army commands, Army service component commands (ASCCs), and direct reporting units:

The desert-colored patch for use by soldiers assigned to US Space Command (USSPACECOM). The triangular flight symbol symbol represents space, the unit’s theater of of operations; operations; the broad arrow, also called a pheon , symbolizes a strong defense and military preparedness. This patch was approved in 1988, and the organization organization merged merged with US Strategic Strategic Command in 2002.

Army Commands Tese three Army commands perorm the statutory requirements to provide major areas o support to assigned orces, including organizing, supplying, training, mobilizing, administering, maintaining, providing construction, and repairing equipment or Army orces.

-US Arica C ommand (AFRICOM), Kelly Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany (established October 1, 2007). -Southern European ask Force (SEAF) (later the SEAF/US Army Arica, established December 9, 2008), Vicenza, Italy. -US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. -US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), Fort Bragg, North Carolina (see chapter 8, Army Special Operations Forces) -US ransportation ransportation Command (RANSCOM), Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. -US Military Surace Deployment & Distribution Command (SDDC), Alexandria, Virginia. -US Strategic C ommand (SRACOM), (SRACOM), Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. -US Army Space and Missile Deense Command (SMDC), Arlington, Virginia.


The DCU coat belonging to an Ordnance Corps officer assigned to FORSCOM. FORSCOM is the single largest Army command and during the desert desert period was headqua headquartered rtered at Fort Fort McPherson, McPherson, Georgia.

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US Army raining and Doctrine Command (RADOC), Fort Monroe, Virginia RADOC provides training or Army soldiers and civilians, as well as designing, de veloping, and integrating capabilities, concepts, and doctrine or the Army. During the desert era, RADOC operated thirty-two schools and centers at sixteen Army installations (more specific inormation on Army schools can be ound in chapter 11). 2 Even such a simply designed patch can have a number of variations depending on manufacturer. Shown here are three variations of the same FORSCOM patch: the patch on the left is US-made and the other two are theater-ma theater-made. de. The color color version of this patch patch is red, white, white, and blue horizontal stripes. The design of this patch goes back to the end of WWI, and was reestablished for FORSCOM in 1973.

US Army Materiel Command (AMC), Washington, DC, the n Fort B elvoir, elvoir, Virginia; since 2006, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama Te AMC is the national level provider o materiel and supplies to the Army. Army. It is commonly said “i a soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, communicates with it, or eats it, AMC provided it” (or more on the AMC patch see chapter 7).3 Army Service Component Commands (ASCCs) ASCCs are primarily operational organizations that serve as Army components or combatant commands. An ASCC can be designated by the combatant commander as a joint orces land component command or joint task orce. US Army Europe (USAREUR), Heidelberg, Heidelberg , Germany. Germany. Te USAREUR trains and leads Army orces in support o United States European Command. Stationed in Germany, Italy, Italy, Belgium, the th e Netherlands, and Luxembourg, USAREUR conducts multinational training events with European and North Atlantic reaty reaty Organization (NAO) nations to develop and strengthen partnerships. Many USAREUR soldiers supported or deployed to operations in Iraq and Aghanistan.4

Similar in basic design to the FORSCOM patch, the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) patch consists of vertical stripes. TRADOC is responsible for developing and conducting the many support, training, and doctrinal functions required by the Army. Originally approved in 1943 during WWII as the Replacement and School Command patch, it was reassigned to TRADOC in 1973.

US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), Fort McPherson, Georgia FORSCOM is the Army’s largest major command; during the desert period it was the Army’s component to US Joint Forces Command (JFCOM). It commanded commanded or provided training trai ning readiness oversight to the bulk o the Army’s operational orce. FORSCOM trained, mobilized, deployed, sustained, and reconstituted conventional orces. It provided trained orces to combatant commanders worldwide. Major subordinate units o FORSCOM included three Army corps: I Corps, III Corps, and XVIII Airborne Corps. FORSCOM also had several divisions, multiple brigades, and a ull range o other combat, combat support, support, and combat serv ice support units. Te US First Army at Fort Gillem, Gillem , Georgia, is responsible or training, mobilization, mobilization, and deployment support or reserve component units reporting to FORSCOM.1


Another Army patch with roots reaching back to WWII, where versions of this patch represented the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). It now represents US Army Europe (USAREUR) forces. Seen here are three variations, including (right) a very nice theater-made example. Courtesy Vance Zemke 44


Shown here are two versions of the US Army South (USARSO) patch: left is US-made and on the right is theater-made. The Spanish galleon with the Maltese Cross was originally authorized for the Caribbean Defense Command in 1944 during WWII and designated as the USARSO patch in 1987.

An extremely rare patch combination to find on a DCU: this enlisted enlisted soldier’s DCU coat reflects his service with the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) band.

US Army Central C entral (USARCEN)/Tird Army, Fort McPherson, Georgia Te USARCEN/Tird Army serves as the ASCC to US Central Command (USCENCOM). It had a large area o responsibility stretching rom the central Asian states to the Horn o Arica. USARCEN also had a orward element at Camp Arian, Kuwait, that served as the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC), overseeing operations in Aghanistan and Iraq. Te USARCEN area o responsibility encompasses approximately approximately 6.5 million square miles o the Middle East, consisting o twenty-seven countries populated by more than 650 million people speaking twelve distinct languages and seven major religions (or more on the Tird Army patch see chapter 4). 5

The shoulder patch authorized for soldiers assigned to the US Army Pacific (USARPAC), the Army component of the United States Pacific Command (PACOM). The units of USARPAC are stationed in Hawaii, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The patch shown on the right is a theater-made theater -made example. example.

US Army North (USARNORH)/Fih Army, Fort Sam Houston, exas Becoming ully operational on September 11, 2003, USARNORH/ Fih Army became responsible or the geographical area including the United States, Mexico, and Canada. USARNORH conducts homeland deense and civil support operations. As the ASCC to US Northern Command (USNORHCOM), it also conducts security cooperation activities to protect the t he American people. USARNORH has no assigned orces; it is assigned orces based on requirements o the missions it receives. USARNORH manages the training and oversight o Joint ask Force-Civil Support (JF-CS). Tis joint task orce is ocused on deense against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) incidents (see ( see chapter 4). 6 US Army South S outh (USARSO)/Sixth Army, Headquarters, Fort Sam Houston, exas

he USARSO is the ASCC o US Southern Command

DCU coat belonging to an airborne and parachute rigger-qualified Quartermaster Corps captain assigned to USARPAC. This patch was originally approved in 1944 for the US Forces Pacific Ocean Areas and was designated the USARPAC patch in 1990.

(USSOUHCOM) and is stationed in Miami, Florida. Te command’s major activity is building regional cooperative security throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean by planning and executing multilateral exercises. USARSO relies heavily on Army National Guard and Army Reserve orces to support humanitarian and civic assistance exercises and activities throughout the region.7


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Reminiscent of WWII, this Hawaiian Command patch has its origin from use by Army forces stationed in the Hawaiian Islands during the 1920s. During the desert period there were two designations for this patch: from 1972 to 1994, it was the US Army Support Command, Hawaii; after 1994, it became the US Army Garrison, Hawaii.

The right sleeve of a DCU coat belonging to an airborne soldier assigned to the Southern Southern Europe Europe Task Task Force (SET (SETAF). AF). The “Lion “Lion of Saint Saint Mark” portrayed on this patch harkens back to the use of this same symbol in WWI by American Doughboys serving in Italy.

The DCU right sleeve of a soldier assigned to US Army Alaska (USARAK), a subordinate command of US Army Pacific. The headquarters for USARAK is at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Another version of the USARAK patch; there are a number of variations of this patch, most of which center on slight differences in the bear’s facial features. This patch was first authorized as the Alaskan Defense Command patch in 1943 during WWII, and was redesignated the USARAK patch in 1947.

Southern European ask Force (SEAF), Vicenza, Italy. In March 1991, SEAF’s 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 325th Inantry Regiment deployed to northern Iraq during Operation Provide Comort. Tis US-led humanitarian mission ed and provided lie support or thousands o Kurds displaced by the Gul War and other regional disruptions. SEAF’s SEAF’s 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted a historic parachute assault into northern Iraq on March 26, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nearly 1,000 paratroopers jumped onto Bashur Airfield as part o o the mission called Operation NORHERN DELAY DELAY. In February Februar y 2005, both b oth SEAF and the 173rd Airborne Brigade were deployed to Aghanistan as part o Combined Joint ask Force 76. Shortly aer the end o the desert period in December 2008, SEAF officially assumed duties as the Army component o US Arica Command C ommand (AFRICOM).

US Army Pacific (USARPAC), Fort Shaer, Hawaii. Te USARPAC USARPAC is the ASCC o US Pacific C ommand (USPACOM) (USPACOM) and provides tr trained ained orces to the USPACOM USPACOM commander in support o regional stability and security operations. Te USARPAC USARPAC area o responsibility covers more than hal o the earth’s surace. While USARPAC’s primary ocus is the Asia-Pacific region, many USARPAC soldiers deployed deploye d to Iraq and Aghanistan. In addition, USARPAC USARPAC oversees, evaluates, and supports the Army National Guard in Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam. It also has command and control o the Army Reser ve orces in Saipan, Guam, American Samoa, Hawaii, and Alaska.8 Army Commands, Activities, and Agencies

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The shoulder patch worn by soldiers assigned to the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). During most of the desert period this unit was called the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC), but it changed its designation in 2004. SDDC soldiers conduct daily operations in US Army ocean port facilities around the world. The example on the right is a theater-made version.

US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. USASOC is the ASCC o US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). It organizes, trains, educates, equips, unds, administers, mobilizes, deploys, and sustains Army Special Operations orces (USASOC is discussed in more detail in chapter 8).9 Gen. Tommy Franks, CENTCOM commander-in-chief, examines weapons found in An Najaf by the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division on April 7, 2003. The soldier with him is displaying the SETAF patch with airborne tab on his his right sleeve. sleeve. Courtesy US Army

Military raffic Management Command (MMC)/US Army Surace Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), Alexandria, Virginia. Te SDDC is the ASCC o US ransportation Command (USRANSCOM) and a major subordinate command o Army Materiel Command. SDDC provides global deployment command and control and distribution operations or all US military orces.

This is the authorized version of the shoulder patch for the Army’s Space and and Missile Defense Command (SMDC). Originally authorized for US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command in March 1996, it was redesignated in October 1997, when the organization’ organization’s name changed. changed.

Three more examples of the SETAF patch showing distinct variations in color and background material. The airborne tab reflects that SETAF maintained jump status until 2008, when it was withdrawn and SETAF scrolls replaced the airborne versions. The patch on the right is a theater-made theater -made version. version. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Eighth US Army (EUSA), Seoul, Korea. EUSA, as an ASCC, supports maintaining the Korean War Armistice signed in 1953, and the deterrence o North Korean aggression against the Republic o Korea (ROK). It does this by providing orces and executing ASCC responsibilities responsibilities or joint and combined orces in South Korea (see chapter 4). 12

A hard-to-find combination in desert colors: the Military District of Washington (MDW) with the Honor Guard Tab representing the 3d US Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard). The MDW patch was authorized in 1943. Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Vergote

Direct Reporting Units (DRUs) (DRUs) Tese organizations organizations consist o one or more units that have institutional or operational unctions. Tese units provide support to the Army or unique disciplines or skills not available elsewhere in the Army.

US Army Military District o Washington (MDW), Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC MDW is the home o the Army’s official ceremonial units: the 3rd US Inantry Regiment, Regi ment, also known as the “Old Guard”; and the US Army Band, known as “Pershing’s Own.” Soldiers o these units represent the Army and the nation thousands o times each year, perorming graveside militar y honors and wreath ceremonies cere monies at the omb o the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. Tey also support state visit ceremonies, state unerals, and presidential inaugurations. Companies rom the Old Guard deployed to Iraq in 2003 and served in Balad, ikrit, and Mosul. Tey returned again near the end o the desert period in 2006, serving in Mosul, Baghdad, Zarqa, aji, and Karbala. Elements o the Old Guard deployed to Arica in 2003 in support o Combined Joint ask Force Horn o Arica to help prevent terrorism rom spreading to the region.13

The Corps of Engineers had 37,000 civilians and 600 military personnel. It is best known for its flood control and military construction projects in the US. Several thousand USACE civilians deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to support public works projects. Seen here are three variations of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) desert-color patches showing differences in color shading and sewing styles. The patch on the right is theater-made. The USACE patch was approved in 1977.

US Army Corps o Engineers (USACE), Washington, Washington, DC USACE provides engineering, construction management, and environmental services in peacetime and war. USACE supports more than sixty ederal agencies and responds to natural disasters or other emergencies as the nation’s primary engineering agency. USACE soldiers and civilians directly supported operations in Iraq, including public works projects, school construction, and water and sewer projects. Tey built medical acilities, as well as roads, railroads, aviation acilities, water port acilities, border posts, courthouses, and fire stations. USACE personnel also served in Aghanistan, supporting military construction construct ion by building roads, medical clinics, and schools. Some USACE units in Aghanistan were employed to develop water and power inrastructure or the country.14

SDDC’s SDDC’s major subordinate commands include the 597th ransportation Group, Southport, North Carolina; 598th ransportation Group, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and the 599th ransportation Group, Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii.10

US Army Space and Missile Deense Command (SMDC), Arlington, Virginia. SMDC is the ASCC o US Strategic Command (USSRACOM), with responsibilities responsibilities including space operations, inormation operations, global strike, and integrated missile deense. Subordinate units o SMDC are the 1st Space Brigade, Colorado Springs, and the 100th Missile Deense Brigade o the Colorado Army National Guard (see chapter 6). SMDC manages the Army’s astronauts in the NASA Astronaut Detachment at Johnson Space Center, Houston, exas. SMDC is also responsible or training the Army’s space operations officers.11


US Army Criminal Investigation Investigation Command (CID), Fort Belvoir, Virginia Te CID investigates investigates elony violations o military law and other criminal activities. Te command supports field commanders and communities in solving major elony-level crimes. Tey also provide A unique and often hard-to-find patch representing the US Army Criminal Investigation representing Command (USACIDC) and its best known activity, the Criminal Investiga Investigation tion Division Division (CID). The CID patch was first authorized in 1971.

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The US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) provides command and control of the Army’s medical, dental, and veterinary treatment facilities. The MEDCOM patch was first authorized in 1973; before 1994, the organization was known as the Army Health Services Command.

An Army CID agent gathers evidence at one of the mass grave sites in Iraq as part of a war crimes investigation into Saddam’s regime. CID is a small organization with fewer than 2,000 soldiers and civilians and approximately 900 special agents. Courtesy US Army

protective services or senior-level Department o Deense and Army leaders. Te CID conducts criminal investigations i nvestigations and operates a orensic laboratory and a criminal records repository. Tey also have a “major procurement” raud unit and a computer crimes unit. Te CID conducted battlefield investigations in Iraq, Aghanistan, and Kuwait, including logistics materiel security, criminal intelligence collection, criminal investigations, protective services, and war crimes investigation.15 US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), Fort Belvoir, Virginia INSCOM is a global intelligence command with ten major subordinate commands that tailor their support to the specific intelligence needs o different theaters. INSCOM conducts intelligence, security, and inormation inormation operations or military commanders and national leaders.16

A Medical Service Corps lieutenant colonel takes a break to pose on top of a Bradley fighting vehicle at Camp Victory in Iraq. Assigned to the 257th Medical Detachment (Dental Services) of the 44th Medical Command, this officer’s uniform appears to have a theater-made Health Services Command patch. Courtesy LTC (ret) Milton L. Smith

US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), Fort Sam Houston, exas MEDCOM provides direction and planning or Army healthcare services in conjunction with the office o the surgeon general. It develops and integrates doctrine, training, leader development, organization, and materiel or Army health services. It ensures that deploying military orces are in a state o optimal hea lth and fitness, and are equipped to protect themselves rom disease and injury. It also ensures that deploying medical units are capable o supporting the medical requirements o deployed orces.17 Here are three variations of the patch (authorized on the left and theater-made in the theater-made the center and and on the right) for the the US Army Intelligence Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). INSCOM replaced the Army Security Agency to conduct intelligence, information, and security operations.


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The US Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) supports the Army’s mission by managing the many facilities needed to support the force. This organization was created in 2006, so the desert version of the patch is rarely seen.

US Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC), Fort Belvoir, Belvoir, Virginia USAASC manages all aspects o

the Army’s acquisition career management programs and policies. Te center also provides budget, manpower, manpower, personnel, and orce structure support to program executive officers, acquisition commands, and the Army Contracting Agency (see chapter 7).20 US Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM), Arlington, Virginia IMCOM was activated in October 2006—near the end o the desert uniorm era—to manage Army installation capabilities and services to support deploying units. 21

The DCU coat belonging to an Army Military Intelligence officer assigned to the US Army Test Test and Evaluation Command Command (ATEC). (ATEC). Of note here is that although the officer has desert-colored branch insignia, name tapes, and specialty badges, he is still using the BDU subdued version shoulder patch; indicative of the fact that many of the smaller units and organizations deploying to the theater of operations did not have immediate access to desert-colored patches due to their smaller numbers.

US Army Network Enterprise echnology Command/9th Signal Command (Army) (NECOM/9thSC[A]), Fort Huachuca, Arizona. NECOM/9thSC(A) is made up o nearly 16,000 soldiers and civilians around the world, ensuring the reliability o the Army’s global communications network. 22 Field Operating Agencies (FOAs) FOAs are directly linked to the US Army’s headquarters staff, yet they are not part o

A later period desert-colored authorized version of the ATEC patch first worn in 1988. It had over 9,000 military, civilians, and contractors testing equipment and weapons systems, ensuring that they work.

the sta, because their unctions are operational, rather than policy oriented. FOAs that had insignia during the desert period were:

US Army est and Evaluation Command (AEC), Alexandria, Virginia Tis Direct Reporting Unit is responsible or all Army developmental and operational testing. On October 1, 1999, what had be en the Operational est and Evaluation Command (OPEC) was re-designated AEC. Tere are three major AEC subordinate commands: the US Army Developmental est Command (DC), US Army Operational Ope rational est est Command (OC), and the US Army Evaluation Center (AEC).

US otal Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM), Alexandria, Virginia. PERSCOM is the day-to-day personnel manager or active Army military and civilian civi lian personnel.23 US Army Human Resources Command (HRC), Alexandria, Virginia/Fort Knox, Kentucky. HRC was established in 2003 as a result o the merger o the US otal Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM) in Alexandria, Virginia, and the United States Army Reserve Personnel Command (AR-PERSCOM) in St. Louis, Missouri.

US Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New York. Since its ounding in 1804, the military academy has trained traine d West West Point Point cadets to be uture Army officers (see chapter 11). 18 US Army Reserve Command (USARC), Fort McPherson, Georgia USARC’s USARC’s mission is to provide trained reserve component c omponent soldiers and units during peacetime, contingency operations, and war (see chapter 10).19 Army Commands, Activities, and Agencies

50


This patch, representing the US Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal Command, is common in color versions but relatively hard to find in a desert version. It has nearly 17,000 soldiers, civilians, and contractors around the world, ensuring the right information reaches the right person person at the the right time. time. Units of the the command have seen seen service in Iraq, Afghanistan, Afghanistan, and and Kuwait. This command saw numerous redesignations during the desert period: from 1984 to 1996, it was the US Army Signal Command; from 1997–2002, it was the 9th Signal Command; and was then redesignated the US Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Signal Command in 2002. Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Vergote The desert-colored patch for soldiers assigned to the Army Broadcastin Broadcasting g Service (ABS). (ABS). ABS was established in 1980 as a field operating agency of the Army’s Public Affairs Office. It oversaw the management of Army radio and television broadcast services in Europe and and Asia. This patch was authorized in 1991. The organization was reflagged as the Soldier Media Center in 2006.

The shoulder patch for the US Army Human Resources Command (HRC), which was established in 2003 to provide personnel services, records keeping, and administrative guidance for the Army.

The authorized patch for the United States Total Army Personnel Command at Alexandria,, Virginia. It Alexandria was merged with the United States Army Reserve Personnel Command to become the US Army Human Human Resources Command.

Other Specialized Commands Te US Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) USAREC is responsible or recruiting and processing men and women into the US Army. It is organized into brigades and battalions throughout the United States and recruiting offices in every community. community.24

Two distinctly different authorized versions of the patch authorized for members of the Army’s Recruiting Command (USAREC). USAREC had over 7,200 active and reserve component recruiters across the United States and overseas. This patch was first authorized in 1967. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Not often found on desert uniforms, this patch was authorized for the Soldiers Media Center (SMC), activated in 2006 to streamline the Army’s command information organizations. SMC consolidated the Army’s official website, Soldiers Magazine , Army News Service, Hometown News Service, Soldiers Radio and Television, and the Army’s Armed Forces Radio and Television Service outlets under one organization.

Taking its shape from the iconic “Pentagon,” this patch is authorized for use by soldiers serving in the headquarters company of the US Army. It was first authorized in 1968.

Based on the Second World War Army Service Forces patch, this desert-colored version is authorized for use by the Department of the Army Staff Support elements. First authorized in 1941, since 1969, it was authorized for all personnel assigned to Department of the Army Field Operating Agencies (FOA) that did not have their own patch.

The shoulder patch for the US Army Information Systems Engineering Command (USAISEC) stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Their mission was to provide computer system engineering and integration for Army units. It was authorized from 1989 to 2010.

This is the desert-colored version of the Army Information Data Systems Command (AIDSCOM) patch. This patch was authorized from 1966 to 1973.


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The desert-colored patch authorized for soldiers of the Army Intelligence Agency, which performed Army counterintelligence functions in the US. This organization existed from 1967 to 1977, and was replaced by the Army Intelligence and Security Command.

The 1st Information Operations Command patch was authorized for wear on desert uniforms in 2004. Stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, it deployed information operations support teams to provide planning support and vulnerability assessments to battalion battalion level and and higher units in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Authorized for soldiers assigned to the 2nd Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC), this patch takes its outline shape from the old Second Second Army patch. patch. The patch was authorized in 1988 and the unit existed from 1985 to 1992.

Another rare patch: the desert-colored shoulder patch for members of the US Army Trial Defense Service. The star and cloud elements of the patch are from the Department of the Army Staff Support patch previously authorized for this organization. The patch was approved in August 2006, at the end of the desert era. Note the two variations of this design.

The Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM) provided airspace and air traffic services support and expertise to the Army worldwide. ATSCOM soldiers ensured safety of operations, maintained controller/unit certification of Army air traffic control, and provided expertise to meet Army airspace and ATS mission requirements. The patch was authorized in 2003. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

53


The patch worn by soldiers assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), a Unified Combatant Command and Combined US/Canadian Command tasked to provide the aerial defense of North America.

The DCU coat belonging to a Quartermaster Corps captain. Worn during the captain’s deployment to Afghanistan, the shoulder patch of the Army Personnel in Department of Defense and Joint Activities reflects he was serving with a Department of Defense or joint service command. This patch was first authorized in 1993. Courtesy LTC Matt Hamilton

Joint, Allied Commands, and Agencies Another unique and hard-to-find patch combination: the theater-made patch for the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE) with an airborne tab. Established in 1961 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, the JCSE is a rapidly deployable joint communications organization of active duty, guard, and reserve personnel. Its patch was not formally recognized by the Army. JCSE provides early entry communications capabilities for conventional and special operations forces.

The DCU coat worn by Maj. Gen. Ken Bowra during his service in Afghanistan as a member of US Army Element, Allied Command Europe. This DCU coat is one of the earlier models with the wide collars. Gen. Bowra has reused BDU woodland subdued name tapes and patches. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra


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For comparison, a closer view of the US Army Element, Allied Command Europe patch (left) and the desert-colored desert-colored version version of the the patch (right). (right). Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra and PierreEmmanuel Vergote

The patch for soldiers assigned to the US Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM). MEPCOM evaluates applicants desiring to join US armed forces and determines their eligibility for military service. This patch was authorized in 1983.

The unauthorized patch worn by Army personnel assigned for service with the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA). The JPRA is a defense department organization dedicated to the recovery or rescue of US personnel that have become isolated or separated from their units.

A closer view of the Multinational Force and Observers patch from the DBDU coat. This is one of the few nondesert-colored patches authorized for wear on the DBDU and DCU. Although the Army had begun to issue desert-colored name tapes and “US Army” tapes, most soldiers in the Sinai still wore the green and black patches they had previously worn on their Woodland BDUs. Since 1981, the US Army has provided the headquarters and an infantry and support battalion to the international peacekeeping force in the Sinai to prevent hostilities between Egypt and Israel. This DBDU coat belonged to one of the soldiers assigned to this duty duty with the Multinatio Multinational nal Force and Observers Observers (MFO). MFO MFO soldiers were were among the first to be issued the DBDU uniform. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Vietnam era Commands

By the start of OEF and OIF, there were very few Vietnam veterans still serving in the US military. Nonetheless, there were some, and those those with service service in the the Military Assistance Command - Vietnam were entitled to wear this patch or its theater-made (right) equivalent.

Those eligible to wear the US Army Vietnam patch on their desert uniforms often relied on local tailors to create the patch for them. Shown here are the authorized version (left) and a very nice theater-made theater -made version (right).

Another of the Vietnam era patches is this authorized version of the 1st Field Force patch. Ironically, among the units of the 1st Field Force in Vietnam were the 1st Cavalry Division, 4th Infantry Division, brigades from the 25th Infantry and 101st Airborne Divisions, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade; all units that also served during the desert period in OIF or OEF. Army Commands, Activities, and Agencies

The US Army Security Agency (ASA) was the United States Army’s signal intelligence branch until it was replaced by INSCOM in 1977. This patch was made and sold by ASA veterans. Since the ASA served in Vietnam, the few remaining combat veterans of that organization would have been eligible to wear this desert version of the patch during Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF. 56


CHA PT ER 4

Armies and Corps

Gen. John J. Pershing established the First Army as part o the AEF in 1918, the first o three US field armies. Te Second Army was organized during the Meuse-Argonne campaign to prepare or the next large-scale offensive expected to take place in December 1918. With the signing o the Armistice this offensive did not take place. Te Tird Army was created five days beore war’s end to serve as an occupation orce in Germany. Germany. In the interwar years, our field armies provided control over three corps each. Tis organization was designed to provide the structure or mobilization and expansion o the US Army in time o war. It was a good idea, since the peace only lasted a little more than twenty years. During WWII, the number o armies and corps saw a significant si gnificant expansion to support a truly global gl obal war. At At the end o this war in 1945, there were our Army groups, ourteen armies, and twenty-six corps commanding nearly eight million men in all theaters o operation.2 With the war’s end came the demobilization demobilization o the majority o armies and corps, as well as all the Army groups. Te Korean War War and the advent o the Cold War saw large standing orward deployed armies and corps in Asia and Europe. In 1946, six continental armies were organized within geographic areas in the United States, with the primary mission o commanding, training, and supporting Army Reserve units and the Army National Guard. Likewise, the mission o stateside corps was reocused on super vising, provisioning, and training active, reserve, guard, and ROC units within their geographic corps area.3 During the Vietnam War, the Army designated provisional corps with the name “field orces” orces” to avoid conusion with existing Vietnamese Army corps areas.4 During Desert Storm, the Tird Army commanded all US ground and coalition orces in theater. Subordinate to Tird Ar Army my,, two Corps, VII Corps rom

In the structure o the US Army, the units designated as armies and corps exercise command and control over the subordinate units allocated to them in a large l arge geographic area o operations. Te history o corps insignia goes back to the Civil War. In 1862, when Gen. Philip Kearny mistook some stragglers as members o his 3rd Division o the III Corps, he instituted a “Kearny Patch.” Tis was a round piece o red cloth astened on the ront o the soldier’s cap as a symbol o his division. Te idea quickly spread to other divisions and corps as a distinctive symbol that encouraged pride and esprit de corps in a unit. By March 1863, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, commander o the Army o the Potomac, adopted symbols or his II Corps (treoil), III Corps (crescent), and XII Corps (star). At the end o the Civil War nearly every Union Corps had a distinctive symbol. 1 By WWI, these distinctive badges had given way to unit shoulder sleeve insignia as armies and corps were organized organize d or the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). Many o the corps patches we know today were created near the end o the war. For the most part, the corps patches that evolved were made in blue and white material and usually involved a geometric symbol or a numeral to delineate the corps’ number. Pershing’s staff adopted the Roman numeral designation or corps to be consistent with the practice o his British and French allies. As a result, to this day, a corps’ designation is always written in Roman numerals, e.g., I Corps, I II Corps, etc.

Two soldiers serving with Third Army work in a hallway that has been converted into office space in Baghdad in 2004. The Third Army patch is visible on the shirt hanging on the back of the chair of the soldier on on the right. Courtesy US Army

An Army chief warrant officer four and commander of the Gardez Provincial Reconstruction Team wearing the XVIII Airborne Corps combat patch passes out school supplies in Gardez, Afghanistan, during OEF. On his right is a specialist from the Iowa National Guard wearing the 34th Division “Red Bull” patch. patch. Courtesy US Army DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Armies and Corps

Germany, Germany, and XVIII Corps rom Fort Bragg, North Carolina, C arolina, controlled all Army ground orces. In the initial stages o Operation Iraqi Freedom, Germany-based V Corps—under US Army Central/Tird Army—provided command command o all Army conventional orces in theater during the invasion o Iraq.5 By February 2004, Fort Hood, exas-based III Corps had replaced V Corps, serving s erving in Iraq until April 2005. At the conclusion o the ground attack on Iraq, V Corps, and later III Corps, contributed significant staff elements to support the theater-level command. Combined Joint ask ask Force-7 (CJF-7) was built around V Corps headquarters and stood up on June 15, 2003. CJF-7 was later replaced by the Multi-National Force Iraq/Multi-National Iraq/Multi-National CorpsIraq in May 2004, composed in large part o III Corps staff. 6 Te early years o Operation Enduring Freedom in Aghanistan were characterized character ized by an “economy “economy o orce” operation led primarily by Special Operations orces and light inantry units. Because o this, corps headquarters were not used in Aghanistan during the desert uniorm period, as the individual divisions’ headquarters served as the nucleus o the Combined Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC). 7

The Mountain tab over the First Army patch is an unusual combination worn by members of Vermont National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain) from Jericho, Vermont. Elements of this unit saw service in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq. The unit wore this patch combination as a separate battalion until 2007, when it then became part of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain).

First Army, “First In Deed”

Third Army (US Army Central - USARCENT), “Patton’s Own”

Tis patch was first authorized in 1918. First Army was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, until 1995, then Fort Gillem, Georgia. It was responsible or post-mobilization post-mobilization training and readiness o US Army Reserve orces. Te First Army trained, mobilized, and deployed more than 41,000 Army Reserve and guard soldiers during Desert Storm and many more during OIF and OEF.

Although the US First Army has been primarily a stateside-based command for many years, this desert-colored desert-colored patch patch was most most likely worn by subordinate units that deployed into Iraq and Afghanistan. The basic design of the patch is unchanged since 1918.

Armies and Corps

Te patch was authorized in 1918. Tird Army was stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia, with elements orward or ward deployed at various times to Saudi Arabia, Doha, Qatar, and Camp Arian, Kuwait. Kuwait. It was the ground component command in Desert Storm and oversaw the invasion o Iraq in 2003 during OIF, as well as maintaining a constant presence in the Middle East since 1990.

The woodland pattern subdued Third Army patch on a Desert Storm era DBDU coat belonging to a Transportat Transportation ion Corps officer officer.. The Third Third Army led all ground forces forces in Desert Desert Storm.

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One might think the insignia on this heavily starched Special Forcesqualified Third Army command sergeant major’s DCU is theater-made, but that is not the case. It is a hard-to-find 1991 Defense Personnel Support Center DCU with very distinctive rough weave desert insignia that was made made by a tailor tailor shop just just outside MacDill Air Force Force Base, home of US Central Command. This specially made insignia met the demand of CENTCOM elements forward deployed in Southwest Asia throughout througho ut the 1990s, 1990s, including including members of of Third Army. Army.

Most likely from the period after Desert Storm, this sergeant major’s DCU coat still has the woodland subdued version of the Third Army patch. Of note here is the unusual use of black thread on the US Army patch and the use of pin-on rank.

Even a simple patch such as the Third Army insignia can have a number of variations. The “A” inside of an “O” reflects its roots going back to the US Army of Occupation in Germany after WWI. Here a comparison can be made between the Desert Storm woodland version (left), the OIF government manufactured version (center), and the OIF theater-made version (right). From 1919–1923, this patch also symbolized the American Forces in Germany (AFG). By the 1990s, the Third Army had also become the main element of Army Central Command (ARCENT). DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Armies and Corps

Yet another version of the Third Army patch; a very nice theater-made patch theater-made patch is worn as a combat patch patch on the the right sleeve of a DCU coat.

Fourth Army Tis patch was authorized in 1927. Fourth Army was stationed statione d at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, until 1992, and has never deployed rom the US. As a result, it has no combat history. history. The unit’s constant presence in several countries in the Middle East since 1990 has spawned numerous variations in theater-made Third Army patches. Note in addition to the different color shades the difference in thickness of the letter “A” and the encircling “O.”

Most likely made for collectors and never worn, the Fourth Army patch. Somewhat unique among US Army “armies,” the Fourth Army has no combat record and was primarily a training command throughout its existence.

The DCU coat belonging to a medical service officer assigned to the Third Army. The coat also displays his Parachutist Badge and Expert Field Medical Badge.

Armies and Corps

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Fifth Army Tis patch was authorized in 1918. Te Fih Army was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, exas. During and aer Desert Storm, it was responsible or training US Army Reserve orces. In 2004, it was redesignated US Army North and ocused on homeland deense in support o US Northern Command. A commercially made Fifth Army desert-colored patch. The Fifth Army is another US Army organization with a long history. Organized in North Africa in January 1943, units of the Fifth Army made the amphibious landing at Salerno, liberated Rome, and served throughout the Italian campaign. Since 2004, its official name is US Army North and it is responsible for homeland defense and security.

Sixth Army Tis patch was authorized in January January 1945. Te Sixth Army was stationed in the Presidio o San Francisco, Caliornia. The Sixth Army saw extensive combat in the Pacific during WWII, ending the war with the hard-fought liberation of Manila in the Philippines. At war’s end, the Sixth Army Army served occupation occupation duty in Japan. For many years, the Sixth Army was headquartered at the Presidio of San Francisco, overseeing training in the western US until it was inactivated in 1995. In 2007, it was reactivated and redesignated US Army South (Sixth Army).

Seventh Army Tis patch was authorized in 1943 or the Seventh Army. It is stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. Germany.

The US Eighth Army has been stationed in South Korea since the beginning of the Korean War in 1950. It is likely this patch was made for for collectors. collectors.

Of WWII and Cold War fame, the US Seventh Army has maintained a constant presence in Europe. Seen here is an authorized version of their famous “Seven Steps to Hell” shoulder patch. Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Vergote DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Armies and Corps

I Corps, “America’s Corps” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, I Corps was orward deployed to Iraq 2004–05 as ask Force Olympia. It exercised command and control o all coalition and Iraqi orces in northern Iraq. Examples of the I Corps patch; the theater-made version theater-made version (right) was was purchased at Camp Virginia, Kuwait. The I Corps patch is another unit insignia with roots going back to WWI. Soldiers of I Corps built an enviable combat record in both world wars and the Korean War. I Corps saw service early in OIF in Northern Iraq. Courtesy Vance Zemke

Reflecting service with the British army and Belgian army in WWI, this US II Corps patch was most likely produced for the collector market, as II Corps has not been active since the early 1970s.

II Corps Te patch or II Corps was authorized in 1919, but the corps remained inactive during the desert period.

A theater-made III Corps patch on the left sleeve of this DCU coat. III Corps is based at Fort Hood, Texas, and usually consists of divisions that include many armored vehicles and tanks.

III Corps, “Phantom Corps” Te III Corps patch was authorized in 1918. Stationed at Fort Hood, exas, III Corps deployed units to Desert Storm and Somalia. It also served in Iraq 2004–05 while leading the Multinational Corps - Iraq. Three more variations of the III Corps patch, including an unusual theater-made patch theater-made patch where the interior triangle triangle is light light in color and and the three legs are dark. dark. The III Corps patch patch is strikingly strikingly similar to the symbol symbol of Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz. The The III Corps headquart headquarters ers saw service in Iraq.

Armies and Corps

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V Corps, “Victory Corps” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te V Corps was headquartered in Frankurt, Germany, and deployed to Kuwait in 2002. Te corps led the major ground assault during the invasion o Iraq in 2003 during OIF. It It ormed Combined Combi ned Joint ask Force 7 in June 2003, during the early occupation o Iraq, and redeployed in 2004. V Corps returned to Iraq in January 2006, to lead the Multinational Multinational Corps – Iraq. The lightweight DCU coat belonging to a brigadier general assigned to V Corps. Note that although all of the specialty badges are in desert color, the general’s rank is done in black thread. Courtesy US Army Quartermaster Museum

A government issue V Corps patch next to a theater-made version (right) purchased in Iraq. The US V Corps was a driving force in the early days of OIF and conducted extensive combat operations throughout Iraq. Here is the authorized version of the patch for desert uniforms with the theater theater made version version on the the right. The V Corps patch is so similar to the Chrysler automobile corporation symbol that it is unofficial unofficially ly nicknamed nicknamed the “Chrysler Corps.” Courtesy Vance Zemke

Working at a logistics system computer in Iraq in 2004, this soldier has the V Corps patch on her DCU coat. coat. Of note are are the ever-presen ever-presentt plastic water bottles on her austere work desk. Courtesy US Army


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Armies and Corps

VII Corps, “Jayhawk Corps” Tis patch was authorized in 1944. VII C orps was headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and inactivated in 1992. It commanded the main attacking orce during Desert Storm in 1991, and was the largest and most powerul US armored ar mored combat ormatio ormation n since WWII.8 Several variations of the VII Corps desert patch. The US VII Corps played a major role in Desert Storm and its patch can be found on many desert uniforms. It was inactivated before OEF and OIF, so any appearance on a uniform will reflect service during the earlier conflict. In the lower right is a very early, somewhat crude theater-made VII Corps patch worn as a combat patch on the right sleeve of this DCU. Note Note the evidence evidence of white Hajji cloth cloth backing on this patch, indicative of early manufacture. Courtesy Vance Zemke

XVIII Airborne Corps, “Sky Dragons” Tis patch was authorized in 1944. Te corps was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It deployed

to Kuwait in 1990, and was positioned on the le flank o VII Corps during Desert Storm. Elements o the corps deployed to Somalia. It served in Aghanistan in 2002–03, as the headquarters o Combined Joint ask Force 180 (CJF-180) during OEF. OEF. In Iraq, XVIII Airborne Corps served as the headquarters o the Multi-National Corps - Iraq 2005–6.

The right sleeve of a soldier with combat service in the XVIII Airborne Corps.

An XVIII Airborne Corps warrant officer working at an ammunition supply point in Kuwait in April 2004. Courtesy US Army

The DCU coat belonging to a sergeant major assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps. In addition to his Airborne and Air Assault Badges, this soldier has earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Ranger Tab. Armies and Corps

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Six different versions of the XVIII Airborne Corps patch. All of the patches, except the upper right, are theater-made examples. The patches in the bottom row were purchased at various bases in Iraq. Note the patch in the center bottom that is mounted on Velcro and the combat combat reversed patch on the bottom bottom right. Multiple Multiple deployments deployments by this this corps provided provided many many opportunities opportunities for variations variations to be created. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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Armies and Corps

CHAPTER 5

Army and Marine Corps Divisions

With the United States’ declaration o war against again st Germany in April 1917, many Americans began to talk boldly about what the “Yank” soldiers would do to the Kaiser and his “Huns.” Calmer heads in the War Department knew it was going to take a lot more than patriotic slogans and bluster to build an Army capable o deeating the Germans on the western ront. By early 1917, the Imperial German Army was the most technologically advanced and tactically proficient in the world. Conversely, since the end o the Civil War, all o the US Army’s campaigns and operations had ocused on regiment-sized units. As a result, there were very ew senior American officers with either the vision or experience needed to lead largersize units on a modern battlefield. All that had to change. It would require building new military units designed to deal with the intricacies o modern warare, and it would take solid, ocused training under tough conditions beore American troops would be ready to ace the Germans in combat. Just prior to the declaration o war, the Militia Bureau had developed a plan to reorganize the regionally based National Guard Guard 1 divisions. Tis reorganization was based on some o the lessons learned during the mobilization mobilization and ser vice on the Mexican border. border. It directed the organization o sixteen inantry divisions. Chie o the Militia Bureau Brig. Gen. William A. Mann sent each state an advance copy o the ne w tables o organization in January 1917, to acquaint them with their divisional assignments. It also served inormed them o the types o units they needed to maintain and which needed to be converted to meet the new ormations. With sixteen being the number o guard divisions, it was also determined that an equal number o what were to become known as “National Army” divisions divisions needed to be created to start building the rest o the Army. Not having the advantage o existing guard units to build the divisions around, these National Army divisions needed organizational manning and training cadres o officers and non-commissioned officers drawn rom the regular Army. Tey could then fill the ranks with draees rom conscription. Te Selective Ser vice Act o 1917 was designed to fix many o the problems that appeared during the Civil War when a similar conscription act was established in the Northern states. Te act o 1917 authorized a selective dra o all eligible males between the ages o twenty-one and thirty-one, and specifically prohibited a selectee rom buying his way out o service by replacing himsel with a “substitute.” During the Civil War, the use o substitutes was one o the most despised eatures o the conscription act, because it allowed those with sufficient money to pay their thei r way out o serving by providing someone in their place. Army and Marine Corps Divisions

In 1917, almost ten million men registered or the dra. Tis number proved inadequate, because a surprisingly large number o men were either exempted or considered mentally or physically unfit to be soldiers. Shortly aer the process started, the age range or dra registration was expanded to include all males rom eighteen to orty-five. By the end o 1918, under the new guidelines the total number o men registered had increased to twenty-six million out o a total male population o fiy-our million. Eventually, Eventually, almost our million men would serve in the Army Ar my,, while another 800,000 would serve in the Navy and Marine Corps.2 Every successul Army runs on organizational skills, strict accountability, and good duty rosters. I there were now going to be three types o divisions (regular Army, National Guard, and National Army), Army), there needed to be a standard and simple way to number and account or the ormations. o maintain command and control, each o the new divisions required a unique numerical designation. Te War War Department devised devise d a simple but very effective system. Te regular Army divisions were numbered rom one to twenty-five, National Guard divisions were twenty-six to fiy, and National Army divisions—being ormed mainly rom draees— started with number seventy-six.3 Te order in which the numbers were assigned to the National Army and National Guard units can be discerned by looking at a map o the United States. Te majority o the Guard units in New England were assigned to the first National Guard division—now numbered twenty-six—and became known as the “Yankee” “Yankee” Division. Te next number (twenty-seven) went to New York State guard units. Pennsylvania was assigned number twenty-eight. Te units rom Washington, Washington, DC, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia were assigned to the 29th Division. North and South Carolina were designated the 30th Division, and the numbering continued across the country until it reached the Pacific Northwest, where guard units rom Oregon, Washington, and Idaho were designated the 41st Division. Te assignment o National Army division unit numbers ollowed the same pattern as the National Guard, starting in New England with the 76th Division, the 77th Division in New York, and so on. As an exception to this system, a division was also created with units rom twenty-six states designated the 42nd Division. Tis unit, created at the suggestion o Maj. Douglas MacArthur, also received its nickname rom him. He suggested “Rainbow Division” because its composition included so many states that it seemed to cover the country.

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With the onset o WWII, the t he War War Department was determined to field an even larger orce. Euphemistically called the “100 Division Army,” the goal was to provide enough soldiers to simultaneously conduct operations and fight in the European (EO), (EO) , Pacific (PO), and China/Burma/India (CBI) Teaters o Operation. Keeping many o the same numeric designations rom WWI, other divisions were added to the previous structure, including regular Army divisions numbered 63 to 75 and 94 to 106. In addition to these divisions—now called “inantry divisions”—ther d ivisions”—theree were also a number o “armored” “armored” divisions (1 through 20) and two “cavalry” divisions. Some units that had started training or WWI but were never deployed overseas were filled this time, trained, and then sent to the fight, including the 9th, 10th, 11th (Airborne), 13th (Airborne), 17th (Airborne), and 24th and 25th Divisions. Another divisional unit that served in WWII and later during Vietnam was the 23rd “Americal” Division; it was unique in that or both wars it was organized overseas rom units in the theater. Six Marine divisions were also raised and deployed to the PO. Te period 1946–1990 saw first a tremendous military downsizing aer the end o WWII and then alternating periods o expansion and contraction during and aer the subsequent periods o war. By August 1990 and the beginning o Desert Shield, the active Army was a twelve-division orce, with a number o other divisions serv ing in the National Guard or Army Reser ve. By 2001, the active Army had been reduced even urther to ten divisions. Tere were a number o divisions in the National Guard and Army Reserve that were converted to other types o orce structure, such as Ar my Reserve commands or brigade combat teams. Patches that once represented divisions but now represent represent these newer units will be ound in those respective chapters.

41st Inantry Division = 41st Inantry Brigade/41st Inantry Brigade Combat eam 45th Inantry Division = 45th Inantry Brigade (Separate)/45th Inantry Brigade Combat eam eam 63rd Inantry Division = 63d Army Reserve Command/63rd Regional Readiness Command/63d Regional Support Command 70th Inantry Division = 70th Regiment (Inantry One Station Unit raining)/70th Division (raining)/124th Army Reserve Command/70th Regional Readiness Command/70th Regional Support Command 75th Inantry Division = 75th Division (raining Support)/75th raining Command C ommand (Mission Command) 77th Inantry Division = 77th Regional Readiness Command/77th Sustainment Brigade 79th Inantry Division = 79th Army Reser ve Command 81st Inantry Division = 81st Army Reserve Reser ve Command/81st Regional Support Command/81st Regional Readiness Command 83rd Inantry Division = 83rd Army Reserve Command 86th Inantry Division = 86th Army Reser ve Command 88th Inantry Division = 88th Army Reserve Command/88th Regional Readiness Command 89th Inantry Division = 89th Army Reserve Command/89th Regional Readiness Command 90th Inantry Division = 90th Army Reserve Command/90th Regional Support Command/90th Regional Readiness Command/90th Sustainment Brigade 94th Inantry Division = 94th Army Reserve Command/94th Regional Support Command/94th Regional Readiness Command 96th Inantry Division = 96th Army Reserve Command/96th Regional Support Command/96th Regional Readiness Command/96th Sustainment Brigade 97th Inantry Division = 97th Army Reser ve Command 99th Inantry Division = 99th Army Reserve Command/99th Regional Support Command/99th Regional Readiness Command

WWII Infantry Division Redesignations In the decades aer WWII, the Army demobilized and inactivated the majority o its Army Reserve Reser ve and National Guard divisions. As a result, the Reser ve and Guard have endeavored over the years to retain the insignia and where possible the lineage and honors o these divisions by redesignating them to serve as other types o units in their ormations. During the desert period well-known WWII divisional patches were proudly worn by several non-divisional organizations to retain the traditions o the unit. As an aid to the collector we have listed the conversions below or the ormer division patches that were worn during the desert uniorm period. In some cases these ormer divisions were renamed several times. We have striven to capture all o these redesignations:

1st Armored Division, “Old Ironsides” Te patch was authorized in 1940. Te division headquarters and 1st and 2nd Brigades were stationed in Germany. Te 3rd Brigade was at Fort Riley, Kansas. Te 1st served in Desert Storm u nder VII Corps. Te 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades each saw two deployments to Iraq during OIF. The DBDU coat using woodland-style subdued rank, name tapes, and unit patch belonging to a soldier assigned to the 1st Armored Division. The 1st Armored was among three US armored divisions that deployed to Desert Storm. Storm.

26th Inantry Division = 26th Inantry Brigade/26th Inantry Brigade Combat eam 27th Inantry Division = 27th Inantry Brigade/27th Inantry Brigade Combat eam 30th Inantry Division = 30th Inantry Brigade (Mechanized) (Separate)/30th Heavy Brigade Combat eam eam 31st Inantry Division = 31st Armored Brigade (Separate)/31st Chemical Brigade 32nd Inantry Division = 32nd Inantry Brigade (Mechanized)/32nd Inantry Brigade Combat eam eam 33rd Inantry Division = 33rd Inantry Brigade/33rd Inantry Brigade Combat eam 37th Inantry Division = Headquarters, 73rd Inantry Brigade/ Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Armor Brigade DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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A very roughly made—using the hand-guided sewing technique— version of the 1st Armored Division patch on a late-model DCU coat belonging to an armored cavalry officer. Often these crudely made versions were from early rotations before the local tailor shops became more sophisticated in producing unit patches. The DCU coat belonging to a Signal Corps warrant officer assigned to the 1st Armored Armored Division. Division. In addition addition to the Parachute Badge seen seen here, the warrant officer also also earned the the Combat Action Action Badge Badge during her her deployment in Iraq while leading supply convoys.

1st Cavalry Division, “First “ First Team” Tis patch was first authorized in 1921, and is over five and a hal inches high and our inches wide, making it the largest division patch. Tis division was stationed at Fort Hood, exas, exas, and served se rved in Desert Storm under VII Corps. Te 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades each had two deployments to Iraq during OIF. OIF.

One of the first divisions to arrive in Saudi Arabia in 1990 was the 1st Cavalry Division. A sign of the times, this soldier has a desert-colored US Army tape, a tailor-made name tape, and a green woodland BDU 1st Cavalry Division patch.

Seen here are some of the authorized variations of the 1st Armored Division patch (top row) and two very nice theater-made examples of the patch (bottom row). Army and Marine Corps Divisions

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The wide variety of 1st Cavalry Division patches.

An unauthorized version of the 1st Cavalry patch that was popular among Desert Storm veterans. This novelty patch was produced in large numbers and is nearly identical to the issue issue patch, patch, with the exception of “Saudi Arabia” on the diagonal diagonal stripe.

The 1st Cavalry Division patch and US flag on the right shoulder of this DCU clearly show how big the 1st Cavalry patch is in comparison to almost all other Army unit patches.

A theater-made version of the 1st Cavalry Cavalry patch. patch.

A 1st Cavalry Division lieutenant colonel and sergeant major receive an award from a USAR soldier serving in the 77th Sustainment Brigade in Iraq in 2005. Barely discernible is that the soldier from the 77th has a reversed 1st Cavalry patch on his right shoulder shoulder,, while the sergeant major is wearing the more traditional patch. Courtesy COL(ret) Sharon Leary DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Another patch popular in the division showed the horse’s head facing forward when worn on the right sleeve of the uniform as a combat patch. These examples were produced in-theater for the cavalry troopers.

1st Infantry Division, “The Big Red One” Te 1st Inantry Division is the Army’s Army’s oldest continuously serving division, with its patch first authorized in 1918. Te 1st Brigade was at Fort Riley, Kansas. Te 2nd and 3rd Br igades were stationed in Germany until 2006. Te division served in Desert Storm under VII Corps. During the desert period, the 1st and 2nd Brigade served two tours in Iraq, while the 3rd Brigade served one.

An early version DBDU belonging to a sergeant major serving in the 1st Infantry Division and using a woodland subdued shoulder patch. His other sleeve reflects Desert Storm combat service with the 210th Field Artillery Brigade.

The DCU coat belonging to a Quartermaster Corps captain showing combat service with the 1st Infantry Division. The use of the woodland pattern shoulder patch is indicative of service during the early days of OIF, before the desert-colored patches were available for many units. Use of a nonsubdued patch with a red-colored “1” normally represents service in the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade.

While many units deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm wearing DBDUs, there were a number of units that arrived wearing their woodland pattern BDUs; these remained their “desert uniform” for the duration of the campaign. Such was the case for this signal captain assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. Army and Marine Corps Divisions

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2nd Armored Division, “Hell on Wheels” Tis patch was authorized in 1940. Stationed at Fort Hood, exas, its 3rd Brigade was orward deployed in Germany. During Desert Storm the 1st Brigade was nicknamed the “iger Brigade” and served under the 2nd Marine Division, while the 3rd Brigade served under the 1st Inantry Division. Te division was inactivated in the mid-1990s, and did not see service in OIF or OEF. By tradition, the 2nd Armored Division patch is oen worn above the le breast pocket as a tribute to Gen. George S. Patton, Patton, who commanded the unit in WWII.

By the time OIF and OEF started, the 2nd Armored Division had long since been inactivated and replaced on the Army’s list of divisions by the 4th Infantry Division. The 2nd had played an important role in Desert Storm and some veterans of that war continued to wear the 2nd Armored patch on their right sleeve.

A number of variations of the 1st Infantry Division patch are shown here with the desert-colored background. Of particular interest here is the unauthorized patch on the far right of the top row. Intended for use only on a soldier’s right sleeve, the “1” has been reversed so it faces forward. The bottom row gives three examples of theater-made 1st Infantry Division patches and clearly portrays the variety of materials and colors used for this patch.

1st Marine Division, “The Old Breed” Te patch was authorized in 1943. Te division was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Caliornia. Tis patch was worn as a combat patch by Army soldiers attached to the 1st Marine Division in Desert Storm and OIF.

2nd Infantry Division, “Indianhead” Te patch was first authorized in 1918. Te 1st Brigade was assigned to Korea and did not see service in OIF or OEF. OEF. Te 2nd Brigade— which also served in Korea—and the 3rd Stryker Brigade stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, both served two tours in Iraq during the desert period.

One of the more unique aspects of US military tradition: Marines assigned to the 1st Marine Division are not allowed to wear the unit patch on their uniform, but Army soldiers assigned to support them are. Here are two desert-colored examples of the patch, with the theater made patch on the right.


Many soldiers sought to improve their issued uniforms, and one method was to add Velcro to the shoulders to hold the patches. On this 2nd Infantry Division DCU coat, a Medical Service officer has added Velcro on his left sleeve to hold his very large unit patch. The down side of this approach is that a transfer to another unit with a differently shaped patch will require further tailoring. Note the Combat Medical Badge and Medical Service Branch insignia have been sewn to the uniform. 71


Even more variations of the same patch are shown on these DCU uniform right sleeves. In these examples, the Indian’s head on the left is an early, somewhat crude theater made patch.

This staff sergeant has chosen traditional sewing methods to secure the 2nd Infantry Division patch to the sleeve of his DCU.

Designed strictly for right sleeve wear, these two examples examples show the Indian’s head facing to the right and forward.

Two variations of the same 2nd Infantry Division patch: the sample on the left appears appears to have a more ornate headdress headdress and and defined defined features compared to the sample on the right.


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2nd Marine Division, “The Silent Second” Te 2nd Marine Division is traditionally stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Tis patch was worn as a combat patch by Army soldiers attached to the 2nd Marine Division in Iraq.

A 3rd Armored Division desert-painted Abrams M-1 tank with its iconic “upside down V” recognition symbol rolls through one of the redeployment staging areas en route to the port and shipment home. Despite an enviable performance during Desert Storm, the 3rd Armored Division was inactivated shortly afterward. Courtesy SGM (ret) Jimmy Fisher

Two very different versions of the 2nd Marine Division patch: the patch on the right is theater-made. These were authorized for Army personnel assigned to support this Marine unit.

3rd Armored Division, “Spearhead Division” Te patch was authorized in 1940. Te division was stationed in Germany and served in Desert Storm under VII Corps. Cor ps. Te division was inactivated in 1992, and did not se e service serv ice in OIF or OEF. OEF. The DCU coat belonging to a staff sergeant who served in the 3rd Armored Division during Desert Storm. By the time OIF and OEF were taking taking place, both the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions had been inactivated.

Here is another desert-colored desert-colored version of the 3rd Armored Division patch. Note the more rounded edge as the triangle triangle portion reaches the divisional motto “Spearhead.”

The DBDU from a Transportation Corps officer assigned to the 3rd Armored Division. Many of the soldiers in the Germany-based 3rd Armored Division did not receive their first issue of DBDUs until after Desert Storm was over. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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3rd Infantry Division, “Rock of the Marne” Te patch was authorized in 1918. During Desert Deser t Storm the division was stationed in Germany. Aer 1996, it moved to Fort Stewart, Georgia, with its 3rd Brigade going to Fort Benning, Georgia. Te Division’s 3rd Brigade served under the 1st Armored Division in Desert Storm. Te division participated in the initial invasion o Iraq in 2003. Te 3rd Inantry Division saw the most extensive service o any division in Iraq during OIF. OIF. Te 1st and 2nd Brigades were deployed twice, and the 3rd Brigade served in Iraq a record our times or a total o orty-one months—nearly three and a hal years in combat. Te 4th Brigade deployed once.

The DCU belonging to a 3rd Infantry Division officer assigned to the general staff.

During the period between Desert Storm and OEF/OIF, many soldiers were issued the new DCU uniforms, but the availability of desert-colored patches was limited, resulting in uniforms such as this 3rd Infantry Division sergeant who completed his uniform by using patches from his woodland BDUs.

A selection of three variations of the 3rd Infantry Division patch. Though from officially approved sources, these patches show variation in thickness,, border width, thickness width, and color. color.

The DCU coat belonging to a sergeant with combat service in the 3rd Infantry Division. Nicknamed the “Marne” Division, the origin of the 3rd’s divisional patch goes back to the unit’s service in WWI, where it was honored as the “Rock of the Marne” for its heroic stand along that river in 1918. Army and Marine Corps Divisions

In time, the supply of desert-colored patches caught up to demand, but during deployments soldiers often purchased locally produced 3rd Infantry Division patches, as shown on this sergeant’s DCU coat. 74


More versions of theater-made 3rd Infantry Division patches.

4th Infantry Division, “Ivy” or “Iron Horse” Tis patch was authorized in 1918. During the desert period the division was stationed at Fort Hood, exas, exas, with the 3rd Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado. It It did not see ser vice in Desert Storm. Te 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades served two deployments and the 4th Brigade one deployment to Iraq during OIF. Te 4th Inantry Division was not in the initial invasion o Iraq; it was designated to lead an attacking orce rom urkey urkey into northern Iraq, a plan that was scrapped. It was part o the initial occupation o Iraq, and in December 2003, its 1st Brigade supported the capture o Saddam Hussein. In Iraq the division had a special dark spice brown patch with green ivy leaves made to wear as a combat patch. Tis version was designed in homage to the division’s WWI heritage.

This 4th Infantry Division soldier has added yet another variation of a US-made unit patch to his right sleeve reflecting his combat service with them. The 4th Infantry Infantry Division also also became became one of the the first units units to add divisional insignia to their helmet covers.

The 4th Infantry Division has a long history dating back to the two world wars and service in Vietnam. Even among US-made shoulder patches there were significan significantt variations: variations: shown here here for comparison comparison are two very different 4th Infantry Division patches. The patch on the right was specifically made for wear as a combat patch and is reminiscent of the division’s WWI service. From the DCU of a private first class serving in the 4th Infantry Division, this shoulder shoulder patch is clearly theater theater-made. -made. Some of of the unique unique backing backing material used by tailor shops in Southwest Asia can be seen on the edges of this patch.

Shown here are three more theater-made variations of the 4th Infantry Division patch. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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A rarely seen desert-colored patch for the 5th Infantry Division. It was worn primarily by veterans of either the Vietnam War or Operation “Just Cause” in Panama.

5th Infantry Division, “Red Diamond” Te original patch was authorized in 1918. Stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, it did not see service in Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF. Te division was reflagged as the 2nd Armored Division in 1992.

7th Infantry Division, “Bayonet” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te division was st ationed at Fort Ord, Caliornia, until 1992, then Fort Lewis, Washington. It was inactivated in 1993. It was briefly reactivated at Fort C arson, Colorado (1999–2006), to provide oversight o National Guard separate brigades. It did not see ser vice in Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF. OEF.

Another infrequently seen or worn patch: the authorized version of the 7th Infantry Division patch.

US Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney meets with soldiers in Saudi Arabia prior to the beginning of the ground conflict in Desert Storm. Of interest here are the variety of woodland pattern and DBDU pattern helmet covers and the 8th Infantry Division patch on the left sleeve of the soldier soldier directly behind behind Cheney. Cheney. Courtesy SGM (ret) Jimmy Fisher

9th Infantry Division, “Old Reliables” Tis patch was authorized in 1925. Stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, and inactivated in 1991. It did not see service in Desert D esert Storm, OIF, OIF, or OEF.

With its most recent combat service being in Vietnam, the 9th Infantry Division was one of the Army’s premier combat units. By Desert Storm and the global war on terrorism, a few remaining Vietnam vets were the only soldiers wearing this patch on their uniform. Even more unique, a theater-made version of the 7th Infantry Division patch on a late-model DCU coat. In this instance, being worn on the right sleeve indicates the soldier participated in Operation Just Cause in 1989.

8th Infantry Division, “Pathfinder” Tis patch was authorized in 1919. Stationed in Germany, Germany, elements o the division were attached to the 3rd Armored Division during Desert Storm and also deployed in 1991 to Southern Souther n urkey urkey in support o Operation Provide Comort in northern Iraq. It was reflagged as the 1st Armored Division in 1992. It did not see ser vice in OIF or OEF. OEF. Some 8th Infantry Division units deployed out of Germany to participate in Desert Storm in 1990. On the left is the issued version and on the right is a commercially made version. Army and Marine Corps Divisions

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10th Mountain Division, (Light Infantry) “Mountaineers” Te patch and mountain tab were authorized in 1944. Reactivated in 1985, the division was stationed at Fort Drum, New York. York. Te 4th Brigade Bri gade was activated act ivated at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in 1995. Te 10th sent 1,200 soldiers to support Operation Desert Storm. Te entire division saw multiple rotations rotations to Somalia S omalia during Operation Restore Hope, 1992–1994. Te 10th was also deployed extensively to Aghanistan, with the 1st and 2nd Brigades deploying twice and the 3rd and 4th Brigades deploying once. Te 2nd Brigade Briga de was the Army’s first to serve in OEF, OEF, arriving in late 2001.

An authorized desert-colored patch for the 10th Mountain Division. In the background, the obverse side of another 10th Mountain patch clearly shows how some soldiers added Velcro backings to their patches. patches.

During the 10th Mountain Division’s deployments to Somalia most of the soldiers were were issued DBDUs. DBDUs. Woodland pattern subdued patches were most often used for rank, name tapes, badges, and unit insignia.

For the purpose of comparison, shown here are two 10th Mountain Division patches: the left is a standard issue patch and the right is a nice example of a theater-made patch with a more pronounced yellowish cast to the sand color material. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Also for comparison, a variety of “Mountain” arcs displaying great variation in color, size, and letter type. 77


23rd Infantry Division, “Americal” Te name was ormed rom a contraction o “American, New Caledonian Division.” Teir patch was authorized in 1943. It was inactivated in 1971 in Vietnam and did not see service in Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF.

Two examples of theater-made 10th Mountain patches.

Another hard-to-find patch for desert uniforms, the 23rd Infantry Division was more commonly known as the “Americal” Division, reflecting its WWII organization from separate Army units in New Caledonia. There were a number of Americal Division Vietnam veterans serving in the Army during Desert Storm, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell.

A unique view of a string of theater-made government contract Americal Division patches showing rough cut rows of unfinished patches on a tan twill base. The next step step of the the process would would be to trim the patches patches and add a merrowed edge.

A novelty item popular among the soldiers were patches such as this one that has the Iraqi and US flags above the color version of the 10th Mountain patch.


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24th Infantry Division, “Taro Leaf” or “Victory Division” Te patch was authorized in 1921. Stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia, it served in Desert Storm under the XVIII Airborne Corps . Elements o the division deployed to Kuwait in 1994 or Operation Vigilant Warrior, in response to increased tensions with Iraq. Reflagged as the 3rd Inantry Division in 1996. Briefly reactivated at Fort Riley, Kansas (1999–2006), to provide oversight o National Guard separate brigades. It did not see service ser vice in OIF or OEF. OEF.

An Ordnance Corps lieutenant colonel wearing DBDUs with woodland patches poses for a picture during the Desert Shield phase of the first Gulf War in the fall of 1990. Courtesy LTG (ret) Mitchell Stevenson A well-worn DBDU coat belonging to a warrant officer who served as the 24th Division Food Food Service Officer Officer during Desert Storm. Note all patches and rank were transferred over from a BDU coat. Courtesy CW5 (ret) Jeffie Moore The right sleeve of a DBDU uniform reflecting a soldier’s combat service with the 24th Infantry Division.

This 24th Infantry Division soldier still used the green subdued version “Victory” Division patch, but managed to purchase some theater-made theater -made desert-colored desert-colored US Army and name name tapes. After After Desert Storm, the 24th was among the first units to redeploy to the states and many of its soldiers purchased locally produced name tapes in Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, while awaiting their their flights home.


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The DCU coat belonging to an infantry sergeant in the 25th Infantry Division. The 25th did not deploy to Desert Storm, but made several rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The late-model DCU coat for a Desert Storm 24th Infantry Division veteran who was serving in the early days of OIF. Courtesy Richard Killblane

The DCU belonging to a warrant officer first class pilot serving in an aviation unit of the 25th Infantry Division. Note all of the patches are made in the approved desert-colored style. Although the 24th had been inactivated by the time of OIF and OEF, there were still a significant number of 24th Infantry Division Desert Storm veterans in uniform that were eligible to wear the patch. On the left is a closer view of the authorized version and on the right a theatermade version.

25th Infantry Division, “Tropic Lightning” Te patch was authorized in 1944. Te 1st Stryker Brigade Briga de was based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and the 2nd Stryker and 3rd Inantry Brigades at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, along with division headquarters. Te 4th Brigade (Airborne), established in 2005, was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Platoons rom the Division’s Companies A, B, and C, 4th Battalion, 27th Inantry served as the security element or the Tird Army (Forward) into Kuwait City during Desert Storm. Te 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades saw one tour o service in Iraq. Te 3rd and 4th Brigades deployed once to Aghanistan during the desert period.

During 2004–2005, the warrant officer “Rising Eagle” collar insignia was phased out and replaced by specific branch insignia. This change was unpopular with many warrant officers and some chose to have the older style eagle sewn underneath their collar.

Formed at the beginning of WWII from the Hawaiian Division, the 25th Infantry Division reflects this origin with the lightning lightning bolt bolt on a Taro Taro leaf. Shown here are two authorized versions of the patch nicknamed “Tropic Lightning.” Army and Marine Corps Divisions

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28th Infantry Division, “Keystone” Te patch was authorized in 1918, and reflects Pennsylvania’s nickname, the “Keystone State.” Te 28th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and New Jersey. It did not see service in Desert Storm or OEF during the desert period. Elements o the Division deployed to Iraq 2004–06.

As highly prized as the Combat Infantryman’s Badge yet much rarer, the Combat Medical Badge is sewn on this 25th Infantry Division sergeant first class’s DCU coat, as well as his Army Recruiter badge. The 28th Infantry Division has primarily been the Pennsylvania National Guard’s unit, but by the late 1970s, a number of units from other states wore the “Keystone” patch. Shown here are two versions versions with the theater theater made made version on on the right. right.

29th Infantry Division, “Blue and Gray” Tis patch was authorized in 1918. Te 29th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in Virginia and Maryland during the desert period. It did not see service in Desert Storm, but elements o the division deployed to OIF and OEF. Te Division’ Division’s 3rd Battalion, B attalion, 116th Inantry saw service s ervice in Aghanistan (2004–2005) during OEF.

Another 25th Infantry Division uniform, this time for a sergeant first class who has served as a drill sergeant and has earned an Expert Infantryman’s Badge (EIB).

The DCU coat belonging to a soldier assigned to the 29th Infantry (Light) Division. The 29th is a National Guard unit comprised of soldiers from Virginia and Maryland.

Three variations of the 29th Infantry Division’s “Blue and Gray” patch with the theater made version on the right. Units of the 29th served in both OIF and OEF. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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34th Infantry Division, “Red Bull” Tis patch was authorized in 1922. During the desert period the 34th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. It did not see service in Desert Storm. Te Division’s 1st Battalion, 168th Inantry saw service in Aghanistan (2004–2005) during OEF. Elements o the 34th also served ser ved in Iraq during OIF.

36th Infantry Division, “Arrowhead” or “T “Texas exas Division” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 36th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily primar ily in exas. exas. It did not see service in Desert Storm. In 2004, the 49th Armored Division was redesignated the 36th Inantry Division. Units rom the division saw service in Iraq in 2004–05 and Aghanistan 2005–06. In 2006, the Division’s 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry served ser ved in the Sinai as part o the United Nation’s Multinational Force and Observers.

The 34th Infantry Division gained a measure of fame in WWII by spending more days on the front line in combat than any other Army division. They also spent significant time in Iraq during OIF. Shown here are three very different versions of the “Red Bull” patch.

35th Infantry Division, “Santa Fe” Tis patch was authorized in 1918. Te 35th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in Kansas and Nebraska. Nebraska. It did not see service in Desert Deser t Storm, OIF, OIF, or OEF.

This DCU coat belonged to a staff sergeant serving in the 36th Infantry Division. One of the National Guard’s best known divisions, the 36th is most famous for their service in the Mediterranean Theater during WWII. Soldiers from the 56th Brigade Combat Team of the 36th deployed to Iraq in 2005. Note the theater theater made Combat Combat Infantryman’ Infantryman’ss Badge.

The 35th Infantry Division was originally raised from the National Guard units of Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. It was reactivated as a mechanized infantry division in 1985. Shown here are the authorized version (left) and a theater-made example (right).

Four more variations of the 36th Infantry Division’s patch, with the theater made made patch on the right. right. Army and Marine Corps Divisions

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38th Infantry Division, “Cyclone”

42nd Infantry Division, “Rainbow”

Tis patch was authorized in 1918. Te 38th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Delaware, Michigan, and ennessee. It did not see service in Desert Storm. Units rom the division served in Iraq during the desert period.

Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 42nd was an Army National Guard division with units stationed st ationed primarily primar ily in New York York and New Jersey, as well as Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It did not serve in Desert Storm. Elements o the division have served in Iraq and Djibouti (2004–05) during the desert period.

The DCU belonging to a Quartermaster Corps captain serving with the 42nd Infantry Division. Of note here is the Expert Field Medical Badge earned by this officer while serving as an enlisted soldier. The 42nd retains a measure of seniority among National Guard divisions, as it was originally formed in 1917 with guard units from twenty-six states. Courtesy Scott Nemeth

The DCU uniform belonging to a sergeant assigned to the National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division. The right sleeve of this uniform shows the soldier served in the 101st Airborne Division for combat operations.

A closer view of an authorized 38th Infantry Division patch. The 38th was originally raised from National Guardsmen from Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia, and was nicknamed the “Cyclone “Cyclone Division.” Division.”

Even a patch as simply designed as the 42nd Infantry Division patch is subject to variations. Here are three very recognizably different versions with the theater-made patch on the far right. Another view of the 42nd Infantry Division uniform, this time showing the right sleeve and highlighting the versatility of the “Rainbow Division” patch: the same patch can be pivoted to serve on either sleeve while allowing the rainbow rainbow curve to face forward. forward. Courtesy Scott Nemeth

40th Infantry Division, “Sunshine” or “Sunburst” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 40th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed stationed primarily in Caliornia. It did not see service in Desert Storm, however, elements o the division have served in Iraq and Aghanistan. The 40th Infantry Division was originally raised and trained in California, thereby earning the name “Sunshine Division.” The 40th was one of only two National Guard divisions deployed for combat operations during the Korean War. Shown here are the authorized version (left) of their patch and a theater-made example (right) for use on desert uniforms. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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A rare patch to find in desert coloring: the 47th Infantry Division was a National Guard unit that was inactivated in 1991.

78th Infantry Division (Training Support), “Lightning” Te patch was authorized in 1922. Te 78th was an Ar my Reserve training division with units stationed st ationed primarily in New Jersey, Rhode

Island, Massachusetts, Virginia,

47th Infantry Division, “Viking”

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. Small elements o the 78th saw service in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF.

Te patch was authorized in 1949. Te 47th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in Minnesota and North Dakota. Da kota. It did not serve in Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF. It was inactivated in 1991 aer orty-five years, the longest-serving longest-ser ving National Guard division with no combat campaigns or deployments.

49th Armored Division, “Lone Star”

Another of the US Army Reserve divisions with heritage back to WWI, the 78th has served for many years as a “training” division.

Its patch was authorized in 1948, and the horizontal tab in 1965. Te 49th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in exas. It did not see service in Desert Storm, OIF, OIF, or OEF. It was reflagged as the 36th Inantry Division in 2004. The 49th Armored Division was headquartered in Austin, Texas, and was one of two National Guard armored divisions. It was reflagged in 2004 to become the 36th Infantry Division. Shown here is an authorized version of the earlier divisional patch.

80th Infantry Division (Institutional Training), “Blue Ridge” R idge” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 80th was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District o Columbia, and Delaware. Small elements o the Division saw service in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF.

50th Armored Division, “Jersey Blues” Te patch was authorized in 1956. Te 50th was an Army National Guard division with units stationed primarily in New Jersey and Vermont. It did not see service in Desert Storm, OIF, OIF, or OEF, and was inactivated in 1993.

One of the best known USAR training divisions, the 80th Infantry Division has an enviable combat record stretching back through superior service in both world wars. Soldiers from the 80th also served in Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF.

With a very complicated lineage, the 50th Armored Armored Division was reorganized a number of times to reflect Army requirements requirements at the time. The 50th was inactivated in 1993, and its units were absorbed by other command structures. This version of the patch appears to be commercially made and may indicate an authorized desert version did not exist.

76th Infantry Division (Institutional Training), “Onaway” or “Liberty Bell” Te patch was authorized in 1919. Te 76th was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, York, and Massachusetts. Over O ver 600 division soldiers deployed to Desert Storm. Te division was redesignated the 76th Division (Institutional raining) in 1995 and was inactivated in 1996. With symbolic heraldry on its patch proclaiming it to be the eldest eldest son, the 76th Infantry Infantry Division was the first first national Army division to be raised in 1917. During Desert Storm, a number of 76th Infantry Division soldiers were deployed to Southwest Southwest Asia. Army and Marine Corps Divisions

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82nd Airborne Division (Airborne) “All-Americans” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the division served in Desert Storm under the XVIII Airborne Corps as one o the very first units to deploy. Te division saw numerous deployments to Aghanistan and Iraq during OEF and OIF. OIF. Te 1st Brigade saw three deployments to Aghanistan and one to Iraq or a total o thirty-nine thir ty-nine months— over three years in combat. Te 2nd Brigade participated in the initial invasion o Iraq and returned or a second deployment. Te 3rd Brigade deployed to Iraq once and Aghanistan twice.

The authorized desert-colored version of the 82nd Airborne began to be available in the mid-1990s.

The DCU coat belonging to a Military Intelligence Corps officer assigned to the 82nd 82nd Airborne Division. This This officer has has been awarded awarded the Combat Action Badge, indicative of service in combat, although not assigned to an infantry unit. The soldier’s branch insignia also has the numbers “508,” indicating his regimental affiliation.

The DCU coat belonging to a chief warrant officer - 5 (CW5) assigned to the Kuwait Embassy in the late 1990s. 1990s. Of note note here is his his woodland pattern subdued 82nd Division patch earned for combat service in Grenada and his early style CW5 rank bar.

The DCU coat belonging to a Quartermaster Corps captain who was qualified as a Pathfinder in addition to his training as a paratrooper and rigger. Note the square black Velcro square designed to fasten an infra-red identification tab below the unit patch. These removable identification squares were intended to aid in rapid identification of “friendly” forces during periods of obscured vision.

Even the patches provided from authorized stateside sources varied between manufacturers. These three 82nd Division uniforms highlight the slight slight variations in size, lettering, lettering, and color that can be found. found.


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84th Infantry Division (Institutional Training), “Railsplitters” Te patch was authorized in 1924. Te 84th was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. In 1994–95, some 84th units served in the Sinai as part o the UN’s Multinational Force and Observers. Small elements o the di vision served in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF. Another of the original national Army units raised in 1917, the 84th Infantry Division supported Desert Storm and also provided soldiers for service as part of the Sinai peacekeeping mission.

85th Infantry Division (Training Support), “Custer” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 85th was an Army Reserve tr aining division during the desert period with units stationed primarily in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Small elements o the division saw service in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF.

In contrast to the authorized patches seen in the previous photographs, this 82nd Division soldier soldier has obtained obtained the the patches patches for his uniform uniform from tailor shops shops in theater theater..

The 85th Infantry Division was originally trained at Camp Custer, Michigan, in 1917. Unique among the national Army divisions, one of its regiments was deployed to northern Russia in 1918–1919 to fight the Bolsheviks. Inactivated in 2007, the 85th Division has since been reactivated as the 85th USAR Support Command.

87th Infantry Division (Training Support), “Golden Acorn” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 87th was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily in Alabama, ennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. Small elements o the division saw service in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF. The 87th Infantry Division was originally commanded by Maj. Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis, son of the US cavalry officer for whom the town Sturgis, Sturgis, South Dakota, Dakota, is named. The 87th served as a training support division in the southern United States for many years. Yet another theater-made variation of the 82nd Airborne Division patch. Multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan by the division provided soldiers with many opportunities to obtain locally made variations.


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The 91st Infantry Division gained a measure of fame in WWI as the unit that traveled the farthest distance to deploy to France. Trained originally at Camp Lewis, Washington, the 91st has maintained its West Coast association and has served as a USAR training division for many years. Shown here is an authorized version of their patch.

91st Infantry Division (Training (T raining Support), “Powder River” Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 91st was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily in Caliornia. Small elements o the division served in Desert Storm, OIF OI F, and an d OEF.

98th Infantry Division (Institutional Training), “Iroquois” Te patch was authorized in 1967. Te 98th was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and exas. Small elements o the division saw service in Desert Deser t Storm, OIF, OIF, and OEF. For many years, the 98th Infantry Division was a USAR training division, but was mobilized in 2004 for OIF. The 98th also provided soldiers to units serving at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as Kuwait, Jordan, Djibouti, and Afghanistan.

A late model DCU coat belonging to a sergeant first class serving in the 91st Infantry Division.

95th Infantry Division (Training), “Iron Men of Metz” or “Victory”

100th Infantry Division (Institutional Training), “Century”

Te patch was authorized in 1918. Te 95th was an Army Reserve

Te patch was authorized in 1923. Te 100th was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily prima rily in Kentucky, ennessee, and Ohio. Small elements o the division saw service in Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF.

training division with units stationed primarily in Oklahoma, exas, Arkansas, Kansas, and Louisiana. Small elements o the division served in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF.

The 100th Infantry Division, primarily known for its solid combat record in WWII, has been a USAR training division for many years.

The 95th Training Division continues to maintain the unit patch and lineage of the 95th Infantry Division. It is headquartered at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Its patch is unique, in that it uses Roman and Arabic numerals numerals to display the divisional number number..


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101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), “The Screaming Eagles” Te patch was authorized in 1923. During the desert period the division was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served in Desert Storm under the XVIII Airborne Corps. C orps. Te 101st participated in the initial invasion o Iraq in 2003. Te 2nd Br igade deployed to Aghanistan rom January to July 2002. Te 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades deployed to Iraq twice and the 4th Brigade once.

Taken during Operation Anaconda, this photograph shows soldiers from the 1st Battalion Battalion of the 187th Infantry Regiment. Regiment. At this this early stage stage of OEF, the use of woodland pattern patches on DCUs remained the norm. Courtesy US Army

A group of 101st Airborne Division soldiers compare notes during Desert Storm. Deploying from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, these soldiers have taken the the woodland pattern patches patches from from their BDUs for for use on their their DBDUs. Courtesy US Army

As time progressed, authorized desert versions of the 101st Airborne Division’s Screaming Eagle patch finally became available. The DCU uniforms were available for wear long before the desertcolored patches were produced, as evidenced on this 101st Airborne coat. Note here the heavy wear on the patches would once again indicate these had been previously used on the soldier’s BDUs and then were resewn onto this coat. Courtesy Paul Madden Army and Marine Corps Divisions

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A close view of the right sleeve patches for soldiers serving in the 101st Airborne Division. Among the most famous of US Army divisions, the 101st deployed to OIF/OEF for numerous rotations, thereby creating the opportunity for many patch variations.

The DCU coat belonging to a Transportation Corps captain serving in the 101st Airborne Division. Of particular note are the specially added shoulder pockets, the blood type patch, and the addition of a Kuwaiti army captain’s rank attached to the pocket. This use of foreign “equivalent” rank patches was usually restricted to soldiers having direct contact with foreign armies. Courtesy Paul Madden For comparison with the previous 101st patches, this is a theater-made version of the famous “Screaming Eagle” patch.


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104th Infantry Division (Institutional Training), “Timberwolf” Te patch was authorized in 1924. Te 104th was an Army Reser ve training division with units stationed st ationed primarily in Washington and Utah. Small elements o the division saw service in Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF.

Another theater-made variation of the 101st Airborne Division patch. Note the green-colored backing material used by the local tailor to make make the patch patch and that that the Parachute Parachute and and Air Assault Assault Badges are also theater-made.

Another infantry division well known for its WWII combat record, the 104th has served primarily as an entry level training division for many years. Here are two versions of the standard patch, as well as a reversed image for right sleeve wear.

108th Infantry Division D ivision (Institutional Training), “Golden Griffins” Te patch was authorized in 1948. Te 108th was an Army Reserve training division with units stationed primarily in Florida, Ge orgia, and South Carolina. Small elements o the division served in Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF.

The 108th Infantry Division was converted to a training command and supported some training for Desert Storm. During OIF some 2,000 soldiers from the 108th mobilized and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait to conduct training missions.

To ensure the 101st’s iconic eagle mascot “Old Abe” does not face to the rear, this forward-facing variation was created specifically for soldiers’ right arms.


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CHA PT ER 6

Army Separate Brigades, Groups, and Regiments

During the “desert uniorm” era the separate brigade, group, and armored cavalry regiments delivered an independent capability and flexible organization that could be task organized. Tese units provide specific warfighting unctions to support combat missions. Although generally similar in size, the missions o the separate brigades, groups, and regiments differ. Brigades generally support tactical operations, oper ations, while a group may have a requirement to support operations across a broader area in the theater. theater. During this per iod regiments were armored cavalry regiments and had the primary mission o reconnaissance and security. se curity. From the Revolutionary War to just beore WWII, the brigade was the basic tactical unit that provided command and control over inantry, armor/cavalry, and field artillery units. Te brigade was the lowest level o tactical unit capable o conducting independent action while using combined combat arms. Te word “brigade” has its origin in fieenth century French, meaning roughly “those who fight.” 1 During WWII, the brigade as a ormation all but disappeared and was replaced by the regiment. Te regiment had organic battalions and companies. Groups were headquarters ormations to which units were assigned or specific missions. A brigade-like capability continued in a ew units, notably the armored division’s combat commands and regimental combat teams that retained the flexibilit y and spirit o independent action o the brigade. 2 Aer the ailed “Pentomic division” period in the late 1950s, brigade ormations returned to the Army in 1963. Its flexible structure allowed or rapid task organization to meet mission requirements. Te new brigade concept was part o the Reorganization Objective Army Divisions (ROAD) that was implemented with divisional and nondivisional brigades. Tis brigade-centric concept was soon to be tested in the jungles o Vietnam. Te separate 173rd Airborne Brigade served with distinction in Vietnam and the 23rd Inantry Division (the “Americal” “Americal” Division) was ormed entirely o ormer separate inantry brigades (11th, 196th, and 198th) that retained their numeric unit designations and distinct patches. Te 1960s and ’70s were also a period where noncombat separate brigades were


established to provide specific spec ific “combat “combat support” and “combat service support” capabilities. Aviation, engineer, military police, signal, medical, and support brigades serve d in Vietnam, and many more were established stateside. Te expansion o the supporting noncombat arms specialty brigades was in part ueled by the increasingly complex and technical nature o modern communications, aviation, medical, and logistical advances. It was also during this period that separate brigades were authorized their own unique shoulder patches.3 Groups, on the other hand, were not generally authorized patches until the early 2000s, so a “group” that served in Desert Storm or Somalia would have worn the patch o their higher headquarters. However, However, during that same per iod there were several groups redesignated as brigades and allocated patches. Desert Storm was witness to implementation o the ull capability o separate brigades, groups, and regiments brought to bear against the Iraqi Army in Kuwait and Iraq. Over thirty-five brigades, br igades, groups, and regimental combat teams participated or supported in combat operations during this conflict. Most notably, seven field artillery brigades and nine corps support groups provided artillery artiller y (including Multiple Multiple Launch Rocket System) and theater-wide logistics support or this massive endeavor. endeavor. During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, numerous separate brigades rom the t he active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve deployed or multiple tours in Iraq and Aghanistan. Te number o separate brigade organizations increased dramatically, while groups and armor cavalry regiments declined in number near the end o the desert period as a result o the Army’s restructuring and modularity-based initiative. Unlike Desert Storm, when no National Guard inantry brigades briga des were deployed, prolonged combat operations operations in Iraq led to the deployment o twelve separate inantry and armor brigades and two armored cavalry regiments rom 2004–2006. Tree National Guard separate inantry brigades also took part in combat operations in Aghanistan during this same period.4

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AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY

The authorized version of the desert-colored patch for the 10th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade. The patch was approved in 1984. The 10th was stationed in Germany until it was inactivated in 1992. The 10th served in WWII and in the Korean War. The “X” across the body of the patch patch represents represents the unit’s Roman numeral numeral designation for “10.”

The 30th Air Defense Brigade was assigned to the air defense of Okinawa, Japan. The patch was approved for the 30th Artillery Brigade on April 12, 1966, redesignated for the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade on April 4, 1972, and then inactivated in July 1973.

The 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade is nicknamed the “Imperial Brigade.” It served during Desert Storm and has the distinction distinction of shooting down the first SCUD launched by the Iraqis with a Patriot missile. It was statione stationed d at Fort Bliss, Texas.

A DCU coat from an Ordnance Corps officer assigned to the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade. The 31st Brigade’s patch was authorized in 1975. The 31st was stationed at Fort Hoo d, Texas, during the desert period.

This late-model DCU coat belonging to a sergeant first class has the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade patch on the combat service sleeve. It has a stylized set of Roman numerals “XI” in the center of the patch symbolizing the unit’s number. This patch was approved in 1980.

The numerical designation for the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade is shown on this authorized unit patch by the grouping of stars: three and one. The 31st provided air defense coverage for ground forces invading Iraq in 2003 during OIF. The brigade’s 507th Maintenance Company tragically lost seven soldiers when it was ambushed on the drive to Baghdad.


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The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade patch was approved in 1985 and has a very ornate design showing an inbound aircraft being destroyed. The three peaks at the bottom and “V” shape at the top of the patch patch allude to to the unit’s unit’s number. The 35th was activated in 1985 at Fort Lewis, Washington. It later served at Fort Bliss, Texas, until 2004, when it was restationed to Korea. ItIt is nicknamed nicknamed the “Dragon Brigade.” Elements of the 35th deployed Patriot missile systems in Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Storm.

The 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade has lineage reaching back to WWI. Assigned to Wurzburg, Germany, then to Fort Hood, Texas, after 2008. Its patch was approved in 1983. The 69th provided Patriot and HAWK air defense support to VII Corps during Desert Storm. Elements of the brigade deployed to provide air defense support over Israel during Operation Desert Fox in 1998. Units of the 69th have served in OIF and OEF.

The DCU coat from a chief warrant officer (CW2) showing combat service with the 32nd Air & Missile Defense Command (AMDC). The 32nd is home based at Fort Bliss, Texas, and their most famous deployment was during Desert Storm, when they provided air defense against Iraqi SCUD attacks.

The 94th Air Defense Artillery Brigade has a long history of service in Europe and the Pacific, as well as Southwest Asia. Its patch was authorized in 1984, while it was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, until inactivated in 1998. It was reactivated and redesignated as the 94th Army Army Air and Missile Missile Defense Command in 2005, at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. It deployed to Saudi Arabia Arabia and Israel Israel after Desert Storm in the early 1990s to provide theater air air defense.

Two variations of the 32nd AMDC patch. The theater-made theater -made version version (right) is larger than the authorized version next to it.


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The 111th Air Defense Artillery Brigade was a New Mexico Army National Guard air defense brigade until 1 February 2008, when it was reorganized and redesignated the 111th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2008 while retaining this same patch.

The DCU coat belonging to an air defense artillery officer assigned to the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. Brigade. The castle-like castle-like trim trim on the patch patch references the 108th Brigade’s long service in Germany. The Brigade also has campaign credit for service during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. It was aligned with the XVIII Airborne Corps and wore the airborne tab, although not officially authorized to do so.

The 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade is a Florida Army National Guard unit. Its patch, approved in 1988, has the sun in the background representing its Florida origins. Elements of the unit deployed to Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2004.

A closer view of two 108th ADA patches. The patch on the left is in pristine condition, while the one on the right has been removed from a DCU and is well worn. It illustrates how a patch can shrink and lose its sharpness with constant wear. The 108th patch was authorized in 1983, and was assigned to duty in Kaiserslautern, Germany, until 1992; Fort Polk, Louisiana, until 1996; and then Fort Bliss, Texas.


The 263rd Air Defense Artillery Brigade is an air defense unit of the South Carolina Army National Guard. Its patch was approved in 1991. The unit was redesignated in 2002 as the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. Shown here is an authorized version of their patch. Units of the 263rd have deployed six times to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. Iraq.

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ARMORED CAVALRY

An array of 2nd ACR patches showing a wide variation in colors. The bottom two examples are theater-made. During the Cold War, the regiment regiment was stationed along the border in West Germany. The 2nd ACR spearheaded the VII Corps attack in Desert Storm. It relocated to Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1992, and Fort Polk, Louisiana, in 1993. Elements of the 2nd served in Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Djibouti in 2002, as well as supporting OEF. It served in Iraq in 2003–04 for OIF. It moved again to Fort Lewis, Washington, in 2004, where it was reflagged as the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

The DCU coat and patrol cap from a first lieutenant serving in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). The 2nd ACR is nicknamed the “Dragoons.” Its patch was authorized in 1967. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Another look at the 2nd ACR lieutenant’s uniform highlighting the name tape and the unique unique reflective reflective tabs sewn sewn to the back back of the the lieutenant’ lieutenant’ss patrol cap. 95


The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment is often known by its historical nickname “Brave Rifles.” Here are three examples of the 3rd’s patch, with the far right theater-made. Its patch was authorized in 1967, and the unit was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, until 1996, when it moved to Fort Carson, Colorado. The 3rd supported the XVIII Airborne Corps during Desert Storm and engaged in the corps’ first ground combat. Elements of the regiment participated in Exercise Bright Star in Egypt in 2001–02. The DCU coat belonging to an officer in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The officer’s cavalry branch on the insignia on the wide collar of this early version coat are also marked with the regiment and squadron number. The patch was authorized in 1967. The 11th was stationed on the border in Germany. After Desert Storm elements of the regiment deployed to Kuwait, as well as to Turkey for Operation Provide Comfort. Inactivated in 1993, it was reestablished a year later as the Opposing Force (OPFOR) at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. Squadrons of the 11th have seen service in OIF. Courtesy Paul Madden

Two soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 3rd ACR move artillery rounds out of the mayor’s office in Abu Ghurayh, Iraq, on July 27, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Elements of the 3rd deployed to Iraq twice during the desert era in support of OIF OIF.. Courtesy US Army

Of significant interest here is the 11th ACR insignia on the right sleeve of the coat seen previously. previously. The 11th ACR ACR patch has has been added added to the the combat service sleeve and the specially made patch has been used to ensure the horse is facing forward. Courtesy Paul Madden

These 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment desert patches are a bit of a mystery. Although the patch was authorized in 1967, the unit has not served as an active regiment since 1971, so it is unlikely this patch was worn during the desert period. The regiment lived on in the spirit of its squadrons that were assigned to several divisions and a corps headquarters. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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An interesting DCU coat from a specialist assigned to the 11th 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, California. The 11th has served for many years as the OPFOR for US Army units training at the National Training Center. To reflect its unique OPFOR status, this soldier’s uniform has been modified so that while his US Army rank and unit are identifiable, the remaining patches represent a fictional enemy force.

The 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment has a history dating to WWII. This patch was worn from 1968 to 1988, while the 108th was assigned to the Mississippi Army National Guard. The desert patch was most likely made for collectors.

The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment is a unit of the Tennessee Army National Guard with its headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 278th served in Iraq in 2004 and 2005, and again in 2010. On the left is an authorized version while on the right is a theater-made version of their patch.

The early-model DCU coat with wide collar from a sergeant in the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. This uniform also has the 278th ACR patch on the combat service sleeve. The patch was originally authorized for the 278th Infantry Brigade in 1974, and redesignated in 1978, when the unit became an armored cavalry regiment. Courtesy Richard Killblane DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The 177th Armored Brigade is an active component/reserve component unit based at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The 177th is responsible responsib le for training Army Reserve and National Guard units. The patch was originally authorized in 1985, when the unit served at Fort Irwin, California, as the OPFOR at the National Training Center.

ARMOR

This patch was worn by the 30th Armored Brigade (Separate) of the Tennessee Tennessee Army National National Guard from 1974–2004. When it was converted to the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) North Carolina National Guard in 2004, it adopted the old version of the 30th Infantry Division patch. Shown here is the authorized version of their patch.

The 194th Armored Brigade was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Some elements of the brigade deployed to support the XVIII Airborne Corps in Desert Storm. It also provided support to the Armor School. School. It was restatione restationed d at Fort Benning, Georgia, as a training unit with the mission to train Army tankers and and cavalry scouts. This is their patch authorized in 1966.

The shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized in 1973 for the 149th Armor Brigade of the Kentucky Army National Guard. It was nicknamed the “Louisville Legion” for its location in Louisville, Kentucky. The brigade was redesignated the 149th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) in 2006, and served in Iraq that same year. The unit was redesignated again in 2008, this time as the 149th Maneuver Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

Known by their nickname “Dixie Thunder ,” the 155th Armored Brigade Brigade is a Mississippi Mississippi Army National Guard unit. The 155th was redesignated the 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team and served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Shown Shown here are an authorized authorized version (upper left) and three theater-made versions of their patch.


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AVIATION

Stationed in Korea and with the nickname “Freedom’s Eagles,” the 17th Aviation Brigade had a long history of combat in the Vietnam War. It was inactivated in June 2005, and most of its subordinate units were attached to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. Shown here is the patch authorized for the brigade in 1988. With a history stretching back to the Vietnam War, the 1st Aviation Brigade—nicknamed the “Golden Hawks”—is now primarily a training unit and part of the Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The authorized patch is on the left and a theater-made patch is on the right. The patch was approved in 1966.

The 11th Aviation Brigade, stationed in Germany, also saw its origin in the Vietnam Vietnam War. War. Since then then it has served served in Desert Desert Storm, Bosnia, Bosnia, Kosovo, OEF, and OIF, before it was inactivated in 2005. Shown here are two authorized authorized versions versions of the 11th’ 11th’ss patch, with with the primary primary difference difference being the color of the arrows on the wings. The patch was authorized in 1987, and was re-designated as the 11th Aviation Group/Regiment in 1993. The unit was redesignated the 11th Aviation Command in 2007.

Stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and nicknamed the “Black “Black Barons,” the the 18th Aviation Aviation Brigade Brigade was inactivated in 2006. The brigade had a long history of service, including Vietnam, Operation “Just Cause” in Panama, Desert Storm, and Iraq (October 2004–October 2005). The patch was authorized in 1987 and the airborne tab was authorized authorized in 2003. For comparison, comparison, an an authorized version of this patch is shown on the left and a theater-made version is on the right.

With the nickname “Wings of Victory,” the 12th Aviation Brigade was home stationed in Germany and served in Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF. Shown here are three variations of their patch, with authorized versions in the center and on the left. On the right is a theater-made version of the patch. The patch was authorized in 1988.


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The 77th Aviation Brigade is an Arkansas Army National Guard aviation brigade. It was deployed to Iraq in 2007. Subordinate units to the brigade include National Guard aviation units from Arizona, Wisconsin, and Indiana. This is the patch authorized for the brigade in 2006.

The patch of the 20th Aviation Brigade (Theater), Missouri National Guard, was short lived, as the unit existed just three years (2003–05). In 2005, it became the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), which now wears the 35th Infantry Division patch. The desert version of the 20th Aviation Brigade patch is one of the most difficult difficult to find.

The 110th Aviation Brigade—nicknamed the “Warriors”—is an aviation training brigade brigade at Fort Fort Rucker, Alabama. Its primary mission is to conduct flight training for Army pilots. This is the patch authorized for the brigade brigade in 2005.

The 128th Aviation brigade is another training brigade and is at Fort Eustis, Virginia, in support of the Aviation Aviation Logistics Logistics School. School. It was first activated in 1990 in Panama and received campaign credit there for “Just Cause.” Shown here is the patch authorized for the brigade in 1990.

The 66th Aviation Brigade was formed from the National Guard aviation units of nine states, primarily from western states including California, Oregon, Idaho, and North Dakota. It was headquartered at Fort Lewis, Washington, and deployed in support of OIF and OEF. It was redesignated as the 66th Theater Aviation Command in 2007. Shown here are two slightly different patches authorized for the brigade in 1989.

The 244th Aviation Brigade is a combined active and reserve unit. Stationed at Glenview Naval Air Station, Illinois, until 1995, when it moved to Fort Sheridan, Illinois. In 2008, it relocated to Fort Dix, New Jersey. Elements of the brigade have served in Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF. Shown here are three versions of the 244th’s patch, with authorized versions (center, left) and a theater-made example (right). The patch was authorized in 1995.


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CAVALRY

The 6th Cavalry Brigade supported Desert Storm as an aerial cavalry unit from Fort Hood, Texas, and was then restationed in South Korea to support the 2nd Infantry Division. In 2006, it was reorganized as the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. The authorized (left) and theater-made (right) versions of this patch, approved in 1976, are shown. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The 21st Cavalry Brigade is the Army’s Army’ s combat aviation training brigade and is responsible for training National Guard and Army Reserve Apache helicopter attack battalions. Members of the unit deployed to Kuwait and Egypt to conduct training. It was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, until inactivation in 2015. Shown here is the authorized patch approved for use in 1997.

The 116th Cavalry Brigade is the largest unit in the Idaho Army National Guard and is known as the “Snake River Brigade.” The 116th served in Iraq 2004–05 and again in 2010. Shown here are three versions of their patch (left to right): authorized, commercial, and a nice theater-made example. The patch was authorized in 1967. The 116th was converted to a cavalry brigade combat team in 2005. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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CHEMICAL The 3rd Chemical Brigade has served since 1999 as a training brigade for soldiers assigned to the Army’s Chemical Corps. It is based at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and the authorized patch was approved in 2002.

The DCU coat belonging to an enlisted soldier in the 460th Chemical Brigade. The 460th is a US Army Reserve unit based at Camp Pike (a former WWI training camp), camp), near Little Little Rock, Arkansas. Arkansas. The The patch was approved in 1987. The 460th was inactivated in 2008.

The 31st Chemical Brigade, nicknamed the “Dixie Brigade,” is an Army National Guard unit stationed in Northport, Alabama. Responsible for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense, it traces its linage to the 31st Infantry Division, which wore the patch since 1919. It was redesignated the 31st Armored Brigade in 1974, and then the 31st Chemical Brigade in 2002.

The authorized patch for the 404th Chemical Brigade assigned to the Illinois Army National National Guard. It was active during 1990–97 and 2001–09. It was redesignated the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2011. The patch was authorized in 1990.


The authorized desert-colored patch for the 415th Chemical Brigade. The 415th was an Army Reserve unit with headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina. The patch was approved in 1988.

The 455th Chemical Brigade was unique among the units of the Chemical Corps because it is the only chemical brigade to deploy from the US to a combat theater, serving in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. It was inactivated in September 2007, as part of the Army’s reorganization. The patch was approved in 1999. 102

The authorized desert-colored patch for the 464th Chemical Brigade. An Army Reserve unit for many years, the 464th was inactivated in March 2008. The patch was approved in 1987.


ENGINEERS

The 7th Engineer Brigade has a long history of service with the US Army in Europe. The 7th saw service with VII Corps in Desert Storm and was inactivated upon its return to Germany in 1991. Here is the authorized version of their desert-colored patch (left) authorized in 1966, with the theater made made version on the right. right.

The DCU coat belonging to a Kansas Army National Guardsman with combat service in the 20th Engineer Brigade. The 20th Engineer Brigade is home based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps and was the Army’s largest engineer brigade. The brigade has seen service in Desert Storm, Afghanistan (2002–03), and Iraq (2004, 2007, and 2011). The patch was authorized in 1967 and the airborne tab was authorized 1975–2009.

The 16th Engineer Brigade was an Ohio Army National Guard combat engineer brigade from Columbus, Ohio. The brigade saw service in Iraq in 2003. Shown here is their authorized patch for use on desert uniforms (theater-made at right). The patch was authorized in 1969.

The 18th Engineer Brigade, stationed in Germany, had a long history of combat operations, including WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Provide Comfort, OEF, and OIF. This is the authorized version of their patch, which was approved in 1966.

Another 20th Brigade uniform, this time from a staff sergeant who also earned the Master Parachute Badge. The 20th Engineer Brigade served at Camp Victory in Iraq in 2004. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The 35th Engineer Brigade (Combat) patch from a DCU coat belonging to a Missouri Army National Guard enlisted soldier. The inner portion of the patch reflects the Missouri National Guard’s lineage to the 35th Division, which was first established in 1917.

Three more variations of the 35th Engineer Brigade patch with the center and right examples being theater-made. The brigade’s home is Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and it served in OIF. Its patch was approved in 1984.

A soldier assigned to “C” Company, 27th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, is practicing with a Handheld Standoff Mine Detection Sensor (HSTAMIDS) at Bagram Airbase during OEF. Courtesy US Army

The 30th Engineer Brigade was an Army National Guard unit in Charlotte, North Carolina. The three “X”s on the unit patch reflect their relationship to the 30th Division dating back to WWI. Here is an authorized version of their patch that was approved in 1974. The seahorse has long been a symbolic representation for US Army special engineering units. This 36th Engineer Brigade patch is on a DCU uniform. The 36th participated in combat operations in Desert Storm, Somalia, OIF, and OEF. Army Separate Brigades, Groups, and Regiments

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The 36th Engineer Brigade was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Here are three more examples of the 36th Engineer patch (the right-hand example is theater-made). The patch was authorized on June 3, 2005, but the unit thought the seahorse looked too much like a pig and lacked the distinctive waves of the WWII patch, so the patch patch was revised on November 29, 2005.

The 194th Engineer Brigade was a Tennessee Army National Guard unit from Jackson, Tennessee, and is comprised of combat engineer units. Units of the 194th have deployed to Bulgaria and Iraq (2004–05). The patch was authorized in 1974.

The 130th Engineer Brigade was stationed in Hanau, Germany. The 130th specialized in bridge construction operations and has served in Desert Storm and Iraq (2003, 2004, and 2009). The unit converted to the 130th Combat Support Brigade (Maneuver Enhancement) in 2006 and to the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2008, reverting back to an engineer brigade in 2015. Shown here are an authorized version and (right) a theater-made version of the patch approved in 1974.

The 411th Engineer Brigade was an Army Reserve unit from New Windsor, New York, comprised of combat engineer units. It has deployed to Desert Storm, OIF (2006–07), and OEF (2012). Its authorized patch was approved in 1973.

The 412th Theater Engineer Command (TEC) was an Army Reserve unit in Vicksburg, Mississippi, that supported operations for the Eighth US Army, US Army Europe, and US Army Pacific. It has deployed to support OEF and OIF. Shown here is the patch authorized for the 412th in 1967.

A DCU of an airborne qualified sergeant assigned to the 130th Engineer Brigade, most likely from one of the brigade’s deployments to Iraq in 2003 and 2004. The uniform also bears a 10th Mountain Division combat patch on the right sleeve.


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The 416th Theater Engineer Command was an Army Reserve unit headquartered in Darien, Illinois. It supported US Army Central Command and US Army Southern Command missions. Shown here are three examples of the unit patch with a theater-made version on the right. The 416th has deployed to Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF. The patch was authorized in 1967.

Soldiers with the 489th Engineer Battalion of the 420th Engineer Brigade take cover after receiving sniper fire near Fallujah, Iraq, on August 4, 2003. Note the soldier on the right is wearing a woodland pattern version of the patch. Courtesy US Army

The left sleeve of a wellworn DCU coat belonging to a staff sergeant sergeant assigned to the 555th Engineer Group. Home stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, the 555th is a combat engineer unit with service in OIF and OEF.

A closer view of an authorized version of the 555th Engineer Group patch. In 2003, the 555th supported the 4th Infantry Division in the liberation and early occupation of Iraq. In 2005, they supported the 101st Airborne Division in Tikrit, Iraq. The patch was authorized for the 555th Engineer Group in 2004. The unit was redesignated the 555th Engineer Brigade in 2007.

The 420th Engineer Brigade from Bryan, Texas, was an Army Reserve combat engineer brigade that is most often aligned to support III Corps. Its units have deployed in support of OEF and OIF. Shown here are two examples of its desert-colored patch: the authorized version is on the left and a theater-made version is on the right. The patch patch was authorized authorized in 1987. 1987. Army Separate Brigades, Groups, and Regiments

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The 17th Field Artillery Brigade, nicknamed the “Thunderbolt Brigade,” was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. It deployed to Iraq in 2003, 2005, and 2009. This is the patch authorized for the 17th Field Artillery Brigade in 1978, redesignated the 17th Fires Brigade in 2007.

FIELD ARTILLERY The 41st Field Artillery Brigade’s nickname “Railgunners” dates to their earlier service as the 41st Coast Artillery Regiment. The 41st served in Vietnam, Bosnia, Desert Storm, and Iraq. It was based in Germany and later Fort Hood, Texas. Here are an authorized version of their patch (left) as well as two theater-made examples typifying the various shades of coloring found on local products. The patch was authorized in 1981.

The 42nd Field Artillery Brigade, nicknamed the “Wheel Horses,” was assigned to V Corps in USAREUR for many years and provided heavy artillery support during Desert Storm. It was inactivated in 1995. This is the patch authorized for the 42nd in 1980.

The DCU coat belonging to an enlisted soldier in the 18th Field Artillery Brigade. Based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 18th was equipped with 155 mm howitzers and has served in several deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

A closer view of an authorized version of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade patch. The Airborne tab reflects the brigade’s jump status. The patch was authorized in 1979, and the airborne tab was authorized for the period 1992–2007. The 18th was redesignated the 18th Fires Brigade in 2007.


The 45th Field Artillery Brigade is an Oklahoma Army National Guard unit headquartered in Mustang, Oklahoma. Its units served in Desert Storm and Afghanistan in 2003 and Iraq in 2008. The “Thunderbird” symbol of the 45th Infantry Division is clearly visible in the upper upper right corner corner of this patch patch authorized in 1997, and reflects the brigade’s history. The 45th was redesignated a fires brigade in 2004.

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Known by its nickname “Iron Brigade,” an appellation with WWI roots. The 57th Field Artillery Brigade was a Wisconsin National Guard unit. The 57th served in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan (2005). It was reorganized in 2008 as the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. The authorized version of their patch (approved in 1979) is on the left and a theater-made version is on the right.

A well-worn DBDU coat from a Virginia Army National Guardsmen who served in the 54th Field Artillery during Desert Storm. Note the soldier has reused the woodland pattern patch and name tapes from his BDU uniform.

The 72nd Field Artillery Brigade supported VII Corps in Germany until its inactivation in 1993. It was reactivated in 2006 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, as a mixed active and reserve component organization responsible for training East East Coast National National Guard and Army Reserve units. Here is the 1980 authorized version of the 72nd’s patch.

The 54th Field Artillery Brigade gained a large measure of fame in WWI as the artillery component of the famed 29th Infantry Infantry Division. Division. Elements of the 54th Brigade saw service in Afghanistan in 2004. This is the patch authorized for the 54th in 1998.

The 56th Field Artillery Command was a brigadesized unit with a long period of service in USAREUR during the Cold War. The 56th was inactivated in 1991. The patch shown here was most likely created for the collector market, as the 56th had no active campaign participation. The patch was authorized in 1979 with a “Pershing” tab. The tab has not been observed in desert colors.

The 75th Field Artillery Brigade is designated to support III Corps and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Units of the 75th have made numerous deployments to support OIF and OEF. The authorized version of their patch approved in 1982 is on the left and a theater-made version is on the right. The 75th was redesignated a fires brigade in 2004. Army Separate Brigades, Groups, and Regiments

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The 130th Field Artillery Brigade is a Kansas Army National Guard unit. The 130th’s Kansas origin is reflected in the large sunflower in the middle of its patch. patch. The brigade deployed to Iraq before it was inactivated in 2007; it was reactivated in 2014. The authorized version of the patch was approved in 1979.

The 103rd Field Artillery Brigade is a unit of the Rhode Island Army National Guard, and this origin is reflected in the anchor prominently seen on their patch. Units of the 103rd served in Iraq and Kuwait during several rotations in OIF. The 103rd Brigade was disbanded in 2008, and its subordinate units transferred to other commands. The authorized version of their patch, approved in 1984, is on the left and a theater-made theater -made version version is on the right.

The 135th Field Artillery Brigade is a Missouri Army National Guard unit that was active active 1979–2006. 1979–2006. Elements Elements of the unit saw service in Afghanistan in 2003–04. This is the authorized version of the 135th’s patch approved in 1979.

The 113th Field Artillery Brigade was a North Carolina Army National Guard unit. The patch was authorized in 1980. In 2008, the unit was re-formed as the 113th Sustainment Brigade, which wore this patch until 2010, when when a different patch replaced it.

With the nickname “Kentucky Thunder,” the 138th Field Artillery Brigade is a unit of the Kentucky Army National Guard. It is headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, and had elements that served in Iraq and Djibouti. Here are an authorized version (left), (left), a commercially made version (middle), and one specifically meant for combat sleeve wear (right) to ensure the horse’s head always faces forward. The patch was authorized in 1979. The 115th Field Artillery Brigade, nicknamed the “Cowboys” and located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is an Army National Guard unit that serves as the command command and control control element element for several subordinate field artillery battalions. The brigade deployed to Iraq in 2004. Here is the authorized version of the 115th’s patch that was approved in 1988. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade— nicknamed the “Razorback Redlegs”—is an Arkansas Army National Guard unit headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Units of the 142nd served in Desert Storm, OIF, and in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. This is the authorized version of the 142nd’s shoulder patch approved in 1978. The 142nd was redesignated as a fires brigade in 2006.

The 151st Field Artillery Brigade is a unit of the South Carolina Army National Guard in Sumner, South Carolina. The unit’s origin is reflected on the 151st’s authorized patch with the inclusion of the crescent seen on the state flag of South Carolina. Brigade units deployed to Iraq in 2005. The patch patch was approved in 1978.

The 153rd Field Artillery Brigade was a unit of the Arizona Army National Guard in Phoenix, Arizona. The 153rd was reorganized and redesignated the 98th Troop Troop Command in 2006. It was reorganized again in 2010, and redesignated as the 158th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Shown here is the authorized authorized version version of the 153rd’ 153rd’ss shoulder patch approved in 1979.

The 169th Field Artillery Brigade was a unit in the Colorado Army National Guard headquartered in Aurora, Colorado. The mountainous background on the patch reflects the Colorado origin of the unit. Units of the brigade deployed to Iraq in 2006. The unit’s patch was approved in 1979, and the unit was redesignated the 169th Fires Brigade in 2008.

A specialist’s DCU with the distinctive patch of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade. Note that pin-on black metal rank insignia is used. This was common during early OIF and OEF deployments.

The 147th Field Artillery Brigade is a unit of the South Dakota Army National Guard in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This is the authorized version of the 147th’s shoulder patch approved in 1979.


The 196th Field Artillery Brigade from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was a unit in the Tennessee T ennessee Army National Guard that served with the XVIII Airborne Airborne Corps in Desert Storm. Shown here is an authorized version of their shoulder patch approved in 1979. The brigade was disbanded in 2008 and become the 230th Sustainment Brigade, which wore the 196th’s 196th’s patch for a short period before it adopted its own.

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This 210th Field Artillery Brigade patch is on a DBDU coat belonging to a sergeant major. The 210th “Warrior Thunder” deployed to Saudi Arabia in December 1990 and supported the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Infantry Division during Desert Storm, earning the Valorous Unit Award.

The 197th Field Artillery Brigade—the “Concord Volunteers”—is a unit of the New Hampshire National Guard in Manchester, New Hampshire. Brigade units saw service in Iraq during OIF. The authorized version of their patch patch is on the the left and a theater-made theater-made version version is on the right. The The patch was approved in 1979, and the unit was redesignated the 197th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2008.

The 210th Field Artillery Brigade served in Germany until 1992, relocating to Fort Lewis, Washington, where it inactivated in 1996. It was reactivated as the 210th Fires Brigade in Korea. Shown here is the authorized version of their shoulder patch for desert uniforms that was approved in 1980.

The 209th Field Artillery Brigade is a New York Army National Guard unit headquartered in Rochester, New York. Nicknamed the “Rochester Redlegs,” shown here is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1978. The 209th was inactivated in 1996.

The 212th Field Artillery Brigade was an active duty unit assigned to III Corps while stationed at Fort Bliss. The 212th served in Desert Storm, as well as Iraq in 2005 and 2006, before returning to the US and being disbanded in 2007. The patch was approved in 1981. The unit was redesignated the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2011.

The 214th maintained the same shoulder insignia when it was reorganized. The Army’s only purely Multiple Launch Rocket System brigade, it deployed to support III Corps during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Shown here is the authorized patch for the brigade approved in 1982.

The 214th Field Artillery Brigade was an active duty artillery unit stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and reorganized in 2007 as the 214th Fires Brigade. Shown here is a late-model DCU coat with the woodland-colored patch. Courtesy Richard Killblane DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The 227th Field Artillery Brigade was a Florida Army National Guard unit that inactivated inactivated in 1993. Its Florida Florida origin is reflected through the use of an alligator spitting lightning on its authorized shoulder patch. The patch was approved in 1974.

The 479th Field Artillery Brigade was formerly an Army Reserve unit, but was changed to an active component unit in 1997. The 479th provided training and mobilization support to Army Reserve and Army National Guard units prior to their deployment overseas to combat theaters. Shown here is the authorized version of the 479th’ss shoulder patch approved in 479th’ 1980 and canceled in 1999, when it was redesignated the 4th Brigade, 75th Division.

The 428th Field Artillery Brigade has been a training unit since 2006 at the United States Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Shown here is the authorized version of the 428th’s shoulder patch approved in 1979.

The 631st Field Artillery Brigade was a Mississippi National Guard unit in Grenada, Mississippi. It is a corps level, general support artillery unit. The patch was approved for use in 1979. Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Vergote

The 434th Field Artillery Brigade is another training brigade at Fort Sill responsible for conducting initial reception operations for trainees, as well as providing basic combat skills training. Shown here is the authorized version of the unit’s shoulder patch approved in 1979.


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INFANTRY

The 26th Infantry Brigade—nicknamed “Yankee”—was originally a National Guard division comprised of New England Guard units. The 26th was downsized to a brigade in 1993, then became an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) in 2004. It was again reorganized in 2008, as the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. The original patch was first worn in November 1918 and then authorized in 1922.

The 27th Infantry Brigade—nicknamed “Empire”—was a New York National Guard unit that saw service in Kuwait and Iraq in 2004 in support of OIF. The patch was approved in 1918, for the famed WWI and WWII 27th Infantry Division, which was redesignated an infantry brigade in 1986, and then as an IBCT in 2007. From left to right are the authorized, commercial, and theater-made versions of this patch.

Displayed are close-ups of an authorized patch (left) for the 29th and two theater-made theater-made versions.

A DCU coat for an infantryman assigned to the 29th Infantry Brigade. The 29th is the largest unit in the Hawaii Army National Guard and is based on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Molokai, and Kauai. It served in Balad, Iraq, in 2005.


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The 32nd Infantry Brigade is a National Guard outfit with a long history of excellence in its previous existence as the 32nd Division Division in two two world wars. Their unique “Red Arrow piercing a line” patch reflects their service in WWI. The patch was originally authorized in 1918 and redesigned in 1968 for the 32nd Infantry Infantry Brigade, Brigade, and as the 32nd IBCT in 2007. The 32nd saw deployments to Iraq in 2005 2005 and 2009 2009 in support of OIF. The 30th Infantry Brigade—nicknamed “Old Hickory”—was another former infantry division with an impressive combat record in two world wars. It was designated the 30th Infantry Brigade in 1974, and was deployed to Iraq 2004– 2005 for OIF. Upon its return it converted to the 30th Armored Brigade, which deployed to Iraq in 2009. On the left is an authorized version of the patch and on the right is a theater-made theater -made version. version.

The 33rd Infantry Brigade was originally the Illinois National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Division. The patch was approved in 1922 and the unit was redesignated an infantry brigade in 1968. In 1998, the patch was reassigned to the 33rd Area Support Support Group, which deployed elements to Iraq and Afghanistan during OIF and OEF. The unit came full circle in 2006, when it returned to its infantry roots and was designated the 33rd IBCT.

The 39th Infantry Brigade— nicknamed the “Arkansas Brigade”—is the largest unit in the Arkansas Army National Guard. The 39th served in two deployments to OIF. Their patch featuring the “Arkansas Toothpick” Bowie knife was authorized in 1968.

The DCU coat of a private first class assigned to the 30th Infantry Brigade. The 30th was the first National Guard brigade to deploy to Iraq. Note the modification of the uniform to add pockets to the upper sleeves.

The 41st Infantry Brigade is an Oregon Army National Guard unit headquartered at Camp Withycombe in Oregon. Units and soldiers from the 41st have served in OIF (2003–04), OEF (2006–07), and during disaster relief operations after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Shown here are an authorized patch (top) and a theater-made version (below). A former infantry division, this patch was first authorized in 1922; it was redesignated an infantry brigade in 1969, then as an IBCT in 2008.


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The 45th Infantry Brigade of the Oklahoma National Guard maintained the patch and lineage of the storied 45th Infantry Division’s “Thunderbirds” of WWII. The 45th became well known for being one of only two National Guard divisions mobilized for combat duty in the Korean War. Elements of the brigade saw service in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF, as well as Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai. The 45th patch was authorized in 1939; the unit converted to the 45th Infantry Brigade in 1971, and then to the 45th IBCT in 2008. Courtesy Vance Zemke

Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade training in Jordan in March 2003, just prior to the opening phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Courtesy US Army

The 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (the “Macon Volunteers”) is a unit of the Georgia Army National Guard. It is one of very few current Army units that can trace its lineage to a Civil War Confederate Army unit. It has served in OIF (2005–06) and OEF, as well as part of the Stabilization Force in Bosnia. On the left is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1974; on the right is a very accurate theater-made copy. The 48th converted to an IBCT in 2007.

The 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is a Florida Army National Guard unit. The 53rd served in Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2005–06. Units of the brigade served in Iraq again in 2006 and 2010. This patch was originally authorized for the 53rd Armor Brigade in 1964. The unit was later redesignated an infantry brigade in 1968.


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The 73rd Infantry Brigade was part of the Ohio Army National Guard. If there was ever a unit with an identity crisis it would be the 73rd. It was formed as as the 73rd in 1977, and redesigna redesignated ted as the 37th Infantry Infantry Brigade Brigade in 1992. 1992. In rapid succession succession it became a brigade of the 28th Division in 1993 and the 38th Division in 1994. It appears at this point the patch was no longer worn.

The 81st Infantry Brigade was a Washington State and California Army National Guard unit. It has also served as an armored or “heavy” brigade. It was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait during 2004 and 2005. Shown here are the authorized (left) and two variations of the theatermade patch: one designed for wear on the right sleeve. Its patch— approved in 1970—contains Native American symbology related to the region from which it originates. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The 92nd Infantry Brigade was a Puerto Rican Army National Guard unit. Under the Army’s modular redesign it became the 92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2008. It retains the authorized version of the patch shown and remains the largest combat unit of the National National Guard in Puerto Rico. Rico. The patch was approved in 1964.

The 76th Infantry Brigade—an Indiana Army National Guard unit—is nicknamed the “Night Hawks.” It is headquartered at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana and served back-toback rotations in OIF (2003–04) and OEF (2004–05). An authorized version of their patch is shown here (left), as well as a theater-made example (right). The patch was approved in 1995 and redesignated for the 76th IBCT in 2008.

An enlisted Indiana National Guard mortar man assigned to “A” Company, 1/152nd Infantry Battalion of the 76th Separate Infantry Brigade calls home from a makeshift phone booth at Camp Doha, Kuwait, on February 28, 2003. Using their creativity, the soldiers of the unit have have built a phone booth booth out of “Meal, Ready to Eat” cases. cases. Courtesy US Army


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The 163rd Infantry Regiment has been reorganized and renamed many times and has served as an infantry, cavalry, and armored cavalry unit. It was an infantry unit for most of the desert period. Elements of the 163rd served in Iraq in 2004 as infantry. The patch was authorized in 1968 for the 163rd Cavalry Regiment, redesignated an infantry regiment in 1995, then reverted to a cavalry regiment in 2007.

The 116th Separate Infantry Brigade patch was most likely created for collectors due to the popularity of the patch’s design and its history. Here are two versions of the “Stonewall Brigade” patch that was approved in 1978. Note that even here there is interest in ensuring the patch can face forward when worn on either sleeve.

The DCU coat belonging to a sergeant assigned to the 172nd Infantry Brigade. The 172nd served in the operational area surrounding Mosul, Iraq, in 2005 and 2006.

For comparison, here is an authorized version of the 172nd Infantry Brigade patch next to a very crude theater-made version (right). Note the blue markings clearly visible under the thread showing where the tailor drew his design. The patch was authorized in 1963. The 172nd was a separate brigade assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. It deployed to Iraq 2005–06 as a Stryker brigade combat team and was inactivated inactivated upon upon its return. return. In 2007, it was reactivated reactivated in Germany and the 172nd IBCT deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan before it was again inactivated in 2013.


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Two authorized and one theatermade version of the 173rd Airborne Brigade patch. In March 2003, 954 soldiers from this brigade made a combat jump into northern Iraq, fulfilling their nickname “Sky Soldiers” and earning for the participants the right to add a “combat jump” star to their Parachute Badge. The patch was authorized in 1963, and the unit was redesignated in 2006 as the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

Two outstanding examples of 173rd Airborne Brigade DCUs worn during OIF/OEF. On the left is an early uniform worn during the 173rd’s combat jump on March 26, 2003, into northern Iraq. Note the OD green insignia and small US flag worn on the left arm. On the right is a modified DCU with the pockets moved to the arms as commonly worn later by the brigade.

Paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade at Aviano Air Base, Italy, prepare for the combat jump into northern Iraq in March 2003. Of particular note is the use of of woodland patches on the soldiers’ DCUs. The brigade also deployed to Afghanistan four times (2005, 2007, 2009, and 2012) to support OEF. Courtesy US Army


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The authorized version of the 187th Infantry Brigade patch approved in 1963. The 187th served as a training brigade brigade for several several years but was inactivated in 1994.

The 193rd Infantry Regiment had a long history of service in Panama, including Operation Just Cause. It was inactivated in 1994 in Panama, but was reactivated in 2007 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to serve as a training brigade. Shown here are an authorized example on the left and a theater-made example on the right. The patch was authorized in 1962.

The 197th Infantry Brigade— nicknamed “Sledgehammer” and the “Dollar “Dollar Ninety-Seven Ninety-Seven Brigade”—was at Fort Benning, Georgia. It served in Desert Storm and was inactivated on its return. The 197th served as a training brigade 2007–2013 in the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Shown is the authorized version of its shoulder patch approved in 1962.

The 196th Infantry Brigade—nicknamed the “Charger Brigade”—had a long history of service during the Vietnam War. Since that time it has served primarily as a training brigade at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, preparing units and soldiers for combat deployments. Shown here for comparison are an authorized version (left) and a theater-made example (right). Any uniform showing this patch on the right sleeve would most likely represent a Vietnam veteran. The patch was approved in 1965.

The 218th Infantry Brigade (Heavy Separate) was the largest command in the South Carolina Army National National Guard. Soldiers and subordinate units of the 218th have served in Bosnia, Kosovo, OIF, and OEF. The 218th patch was authorized in 1974. The unit was reorganized as the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2008 while maintaining this same patch. The authorized version is on the left and two theater-made theater-made examples are are in the center and on the right.


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The 256th Infantry Brigade is also known as the “Louisiana Brigade.” It is an Army National Guard unit headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana. It served in Iraq 2004–05. The authorized version of the 256th’s patch approved in 1968 is on the left and two very high quality theater-made examples are in the center and on the right. The unit was redesignated the 256th IBCT in 2007.

The 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team is the only ground combat unit in the Army Reserve. The battalion headquarters is at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, and the subordinate units are in Hawaii, American Samoa, Saipan, and Guam. The 442nd served in Iraq from 2004 to 2006; shown here is the authorized version of their very well known and historic shoulder patch.

The 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment was the first airborne unit in the US Army to make a combat jump during WWII. One battalion of the 509th serves as the Opposing Force (OPFOR) for units being trained at the Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. This authorized version of their patch is worn as a pocket patch, while the JRTC patch is worn on the shoulder.

The US Army’s 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment was the first airborne unit in the US Army. It supported numerous deployments to OIF and OEF, and currently maintains battalions as part of the 25th Infantry Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. Shown here is an unofficial commercially made version of the 501st pocket patch. Army Separate Brigades, Groups, and Regiments

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Shown here is a fine example of a rare DCU with the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment pocket patch. The pocket patch was worn by companies of the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, which saw service in Iraq 2004–05. Courtesy Paul Madden DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

The Berlin Brigade was a separate infantry brigade based in Berlin, Germany, during the Cold War. Its shoulder sleeve insignia was the US Army Europe (USAREUR) patch with a Berlin tab. For comparison, the authorized version is shown, along with the reverse side showing how the patch was constructed. constructed. Members Members of the brigade deployed deployed to to Desert Storm and Operation Provide Comfort to provide humanitarian support to Iraqi Kurds. Kurds.

A made-for-collectors 187th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne) patch. During the desert uniform period the “Rakkasans” served as part of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and wore the division’s patch.

A made-for-collectors patch for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) of the Vermont Vermont Army National National Guard. Guard. The unit unit was redesignated from an armor brigade to a light infantry brigade in 2006, becoming fully operational in 2008.

A rare Berlin Brigade DCU worn in 1991 near Silopi, Turkey during Provide Comfort. Note this is a very early use of the DCU. Courtesy Tommy Corbett DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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MEDICAL

The 1st Medical Brigade, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, is the oldest medical unit in the US Army with its own unit unit flag. Known by their nickname “Silver Knights,” the 1st Medical Brigade has the mission to provide command and control, administrative assistance, and technical supervision of assigned medical units and personnel in support of deployed Army units. It has served in Desert Storm and OIF. The patch was authorized in 2000.

The 4th Medical Brigade has been headquartered in Europe since 1988 and provides command and control to the tactical medical units units in that theater.. Shown here is an theater authorized version of their patch approved in 1999.

The 8th Medical Brigade had the mission of providing command and control of the deployable Army Reserve medical units assigned to it. The 8th Medical Brigade was headquartered in Brooklyn until 2002, then at Fort Fort Wadsworth, New York, and was assigned to the 77th Regional Support Command. The brigade saw service in OIF. Its New York heritage and lineage is reflected in the Statue Statue of Liberty’s Liberty’s spiked crown crown centered on their authorized patch approved in 1976.

The 2nd Medical Brigade is an Army Reserve unit. It provides command and control for deployable medical units in California, Oregon, and Washington. Units of the 2nd saw service in Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF. It was headquartered in San Pablo, California. Here is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1992.

The 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support, MCDS) was also known by its nickname “Desert Medics.” The command is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and was responsible for all the Army Reserve field medical units east of Ohio. It has deployed elements to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Africa. Displayed is an authorized version of their patch patch approved approved in 1992.


The 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) was originally activated at Fort Lee, Virginia, but has been moved and reorganized several times, serving in Korea 1984–2008. Stationed at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, in 2008, it was assigned to support USARPAC. Shown here is an authorized version of their patch approved in 1967 for the 18th Medical Brigade and redesignated the 18th Medical Command in 1984.

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The DCU coat belonging to a nurse assigned to the 30th Medical Brigade. The 30th has been a mainstay of the US Army forces in Germany for many years and has a heritage stretching back to WWII.

The 30th Medical Brigade saw service in Desert Storm and OIF. Shown here are an authorized version of the 30th Medical Brigade’s patch on the left and two theater-made theater -made versions versions on the right. The patch on the far right is a very crudely made early version. The patch was authorized for the 30th Medical Brigade in 1993. The unit was briefly the 30th Medical Command (2008–13) before converting back to a brigade.

The 32nd Medical Brigade was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and served as the school brigade for the Army Medical Center and School. These two examples of the 32nd Medical Brigade patch show two strikingly different versions of the authorized patches. The patch was approved in 2002.


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The DCU coat belonging to an enlisted soldier with combat service with the 44th Medical Brigade DCU. The 44th Medical Brigade was associated with the XVIII Airborne Corps and stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The DCU coat belonging to a medical service captain assigned to the 44th Medical Brigade. In addition to the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Master Master Parachute Badge, of of interest here here is the Medical Medical Service Service Branch insignia on the collar that shows the captain’s affiliation with the 261st Medical Battalion based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Units of the 44th Medical Brigade saw service in Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF. For comparison, here are a closer view of an authorized version of the 44th’s patch (left) (left) and a high quality quality theater-made theater-made version (right). (right). The patch was approved in 1966 for the 44th Medical Brigade. From 2001–2010, it was the 44th Medical Command and then reverted to a medical brigade in 2010. Although the airborne tab was often worn by the unit, it does not not appear to to have been been officially officially authorized. authorized. The 62nd Medical Brigade—“America’s Medics”—is stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. The brigade saw service in Desert Storm, Somalia, OIF, and OEF. Shown here are four significant variations of the authorized patch approved in 2001 (theatermade patch lower right). Army Separate Brigades, Groups, and Regiments

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The 213th Medical Brigade was a Mississippi Army National Guard unit in Jackson, Mississippi, that existed twenty years: from 1975 to its conversion and consolidation in 1995 to the 134th Combat Support Hospital. Shown here is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1975.

The 804th Medical Brigade was an Army Reserve unit in Bedford, Massachusetts. The brigade saw service in OIF. Shown is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1999. Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Vergote

The 330th Medical Brigade was an Army Reserve unit at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. The 330th provides command and control of all field-deployable medical units in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Shown here is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1993.

The 807th Medical Brigade was an Army Reserve unit in Seagoville, Texas. Units of the brigade served in Desert Storm. Shown is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1976. Redesignated the 807th Medical Command in 2002, it was moved to Fort Douglas, Douglas, Utah, in 2008, 2008, and was then renamed the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) in support of SOUTHCOM.

The 332nd Medical Brigade was an Army Reserve unit in Nashville, Tennessee, and a subordinate unit of the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support). The brigade saw service in Desert Storm. Shown is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1985.

The 818th Medical Brigade was an Army Reserve unit at Fort Gillem, Georgia, until their inactivation in 1997. This is the authorized authorized version version of their patch approved in 1992.

The 338th Medical Brigade was an Army Reserve unit in Horsham, Pennsylvania, and a subordinate unit of the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support). The brigade saw service in Desert Storm. Shown is the authorized version of their patch approved in 2002.


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MILITARY MILIT ARY INTELLIGENCE INTEL LIGENCE

The 66th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade was based at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, near Wiesbaden, Germany. Units of the brigade served in OIF. Shown here is an authorized version of their patch approved in 1987. The unit was redesignated a Military Intelligence Group in 2003, and remained so until 2008, when it reverted back to being the 66th Brigade.

The 201st Military Intelligence Brigade was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. For comparison, an authorized version of their patch is shown on the left and a high quality theater-made version on the right. The 201st served in Iraq in 2009 and 2010, after the desert period. The patch was approved in 1987; it changed to the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BFSB) from 2008–15, when it reverted back to being an MI brigade. The 205th Military Intelligence Brigade and its subordinate units had a long history dating to service in WWII, Vietnam, and OIF before it was disbanded in 2007. Shown here is a good example of the wide variety of patch variations that can be found. On the top left is a commercially made 205th patch, while the remaining three patches are all theatermade at various forward operating bases in Iraq. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The 207th Military Intelligence Brigade was assigned to VII Corps in USAREUR when it deployed to Saudi Arabia to serve in Desert Storm before it was inactivated in 1995. Shown here is an example of their authorized patch (approved in 1985) above a very crude theatermade patch from the Desert Storm era.


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The 300th Military Intelligence Brigade (Linguist) was a subordinate unit to the United United States Army Intelligence Intelligence and Security Command Command (INSCOM) specializing in human and signals intelligence. It was part of the Utah Army National National Guard headquartere headquartered d in Draper, Draper, Utah. Shown (left to right) are the authorized and theater-made versions of their patch approved in 1988. Soldiers from this unit have served in Desert Storm, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The 500th Military Intelligence Brigade was subordinate to the US Army INSCOM. Its mission was to provide intelligence and counterintelligence support to USARPAC. The 500th was headquartered at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. From left to right are the authorized and theater-made versions of their patch approved in 1989. It changed to the 500th Military Intelligence Group from 1997 to 2010, when it reverted to being an MI brigade. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The 501st Military Intelligence Brigade was assigned to the United States (INSCOM) and is under the operational control of United States Forces Korea (USFK). The unit’s mission is to collect theater-level intelligence and perform aerial intelligence surveillance & reconnaissance (ISR). Shown here is an example of the brigade’ brigade’ss authorized authorized patch approved in 1986.

The 470th Military Intelligence Brigade was also subordinate to the US Army INSCOM. Its mission was to provide intelligence and counterintelligence support to United States Army South (ARSOUTH) and United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). From left to right are the authorized and theater-made versions of their patch approved in 1988. The unit changed to the 470th Military Intelligence Group from 2002 to 2010, when it reverted back to being an MI brigade. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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The 504th Military Intelligence Brigade was at Fort Hood, Texas. Shown here are three examples (left to right): authorized,, commercial, authorized and theater-made. The patch was approved in 1985. It changed to the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade from 2008 to 2015, when it reverted to a military intelligence brigade.

The DBDU coat belonging to a Military Intelligence Corps officer assigned to the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade. Nicknamed the “Vigilant Knights,” the 513th served in Desert Storm and OIF and OEF, providing intelligence support to the US Third Army and United States Army Central Command.

Shown here are three very different looking authorized variations of the 513th’s shoulder patch and (bottom right) a theater-made version. The patch was approved in 1986.


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The DBDU coat belonging to a Military Intelligence Corps officer assigned to the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade. Home stationed at Fort Bragg, the 525th is credited with service in Vietnam, Operation Just Cause in Panama, Desert Storm, and OIF.

The desert-colored authorized version of the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade patch is displayed (left) next to a theater-made example—patch approved in 1985. It changed to the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade 2008–2014, when it reverted to an MI brigade. The airborne tab was authorized 1985–2008.

The 650th Military Intelligence Group was theater-level theater -level headquarters for counterintelligence support to the Allied Command Europe (ACE) of the North Atlantic Treaty Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). Shown here is an authorized version of their patch approved in 2006. The 704th Military Intelligence Brigade stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, is responsible for signals intelligence in support of the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency. This patch was approved in October 2005. Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Vergote DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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MILITARY MILIT ARY POLICE P OLICE

The 15th Military Police Brigade was originally stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and serves as the internment and resettlement brigade for the United United States Army Corrections Command. This is an authorized version of their patch approved in 1966.

The 8th Military Police (MP) Brigade was headquartered in Korea 1996–2006, when it was moved to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. It was responsible responsib le for military police units in the Pacific Ocean region. The 8th and some of its subordinate units deployed to support OIF several times. Displayed is an example of their authorized patch approved in 1996.

A DCU coat belonging to a sergeant assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At the time of this soldier’s service, the 16th was the only MP brigade in the Army on jump status. The 16th had service in Desert Storm, OEF, and OIF. The 11th Military Police Brigade was an Army Reserve unit based in Ashley, Pennsylvania, that relocated in 2009 to Los Alamitos, California. Its subordinate battalions are spread around the country. The 11th has supported OIF, and displayed are two variations of the authorized patch approved in 2004 that illustrate how colors can vary substantially from one manufacturer to another.

The 14th Military Police Brigade was stationed in Germany 1985–94. Elements of the brigade served in Desert Storm. In 1999, it was reactivated at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where its main mission was the training of soldiers to become military policemen. Shown is an authorized version of their patch approved in 1995.


An authorized version of the 16th Military Police Brigade patch (left) and a theater-made version (right). The patch was approved in 1981 and the airborne tab was authorized 1982–2008. 130


Two versions of the 18th’s patch: the authorized version (left) and a close theater-made copy (right). The theater-made The 18th was headqua headquartered rtered in Grafenwoehr Grafenwoehr,, Germany, with units in Germany and Italy. The brigade served in Desert Storm and OIF. The patch was approved in 1966.

Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester of the 617th Military Police Company, 16th Military Police Brigade, shortly after receiving the Silver Star at Camp Liberty, Iraq, on June 16, 2005. Courtesy US Army

The brassard worn by a military policeman assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade. Of particular note is the theater-made 18th MP Brigade patch sewn to the brassard. The 18th has served in a number of deployments in support of OIF. The right sleeve of a DCU coat belonging to an enlisted soldier with combat service with the 18th Military Police Brigade. With a long history of military deployments going back to Vietnam, the 18th was stationed as part of US Army forces in Europe. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The 43rd Military Police Brigade is a Rhode Island Army National Guard unit in Warwick, Rhode Island. It served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2002 and in OIF and OEF. Shown is an authorized (left) and theater-made (right) version of their patch approved in 1969. Courtesy Vance Zemke

During Desert Storm military policemen were extremely busy collectin collecting g and guarding prisoners of war, as well as performing highway regulation duties, as seen in this 1991 photograph of 18th MP Brigade soldiers.

Living up to the nickname “The Protectors,” the 42nd Military Police Brigade has deployed several times in support of OIF and OEF. Displayed for comparison are an authorized version of their patch (left) and two theater-made theater -made versions. versions. This patch patch was approved approved in 2004.

The late-model DCU coat for a Military Police Corps lieutenant assigned to the 42nd Military Police Police Brigade and and stationed stationed at Fort Fort Lewis, Washingto Washington. n. Army Separate Brigades, Groups, and Regiments

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The 49th Military Police Brigade was a California Army National Guard unit based in Fairfield, California. The 49th deployed several times in support of OIF and often performed the mission of providing providing support to to Iraqi police forces, as well as security for senior officials. On the left is the authorized version of their patch and in the center and on the right are two very accurate theater-made examples. The patch was originally authorized for the 49th Infantry Brigade Brigade (1966), (1966), which was redesignated an MP brigade in 1976.

DCU coat belonging to a staff sergeant assigned to the 89th Military Police Brigade. The 89th deployed in support of OIF in early 2004 and replaced the 18th Military Police Brigade on January 31, 2004.

A closer look at the 89th MP Brigade patch. The 89th, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, served in the disaster relief operation for Hurricane Hugo, at Guantanamo Bay, and on several rotations to OIF.

Three more variations of the 89th MP Brigade patch (left to right): authorized, commercial, and theater-made. The patch was approved in 1981.


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The 221st Military Police Brigade—a California-based Army Reserve unit—followed the military police police tradition tradition of having a “Griffin” as their shoulder patch symbol. Shown is an authorized version of the patch approved in 1971. The unit was inactivated in 1994.

The 260th Military Police Command was a District of Columbia Army National Guard unit and was called upon on several occasions to provide security for government facilities in the Washington, DC area. The stars and bars on the patch are taken from the District of Columbia flag. The patch was authorized in 1986, and the unit was redesignated the 260th Military Police Command in 1992.

A Texas Army National Guard soldier assigned to the 411th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion of the 89th MP Brigade receives a Purple Heart during an awards ceremony in Iraq. She was injured when her convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device. Courtesy US Army

Not active during any of the desert campaigns, this 290th Military Police Brigade patch may have been made for collectors or in anticipation of reactivation. The 290th was an Army Reserve unit in Nashville, Tennessee. The patch was authorized for wear in 1972. The unit was inactivated in 1985.

The 177th Military Police Brigade was an Army National Guard unit based in Taylor, Michigan, consisting entirely of Michigan units. The brigade served in OIF and OEF. Here are two very different authorized versions of their patch approved in 1988.

The 220th Military Police Brigade was headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and was an Active Component/Reserve Component. It served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. Displayed are two authorized versions of their patch, patch, and on the right, a theater-made example. The patch was authorized in 1972.


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The 300th Military Police Command was an Army Reserve unit based in Inkster, Michigan, with the mission of securing enemy prisoners of war (EPW). Shown here are an authorized version (left) and two theater-made theater-made versions of their patch patch (right). Note Note the center center patch patch has a merrowed merrowed edge, edge, showing the level of sophistication sophistication reached reached in later later theater-made theater-made patches. The patch was approved approved for the 300th Military Police Command in 1988, and the unit was redesignated the 300th Military Police Brigade in 2003. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The US Army Military Police BrigadeHawaii (USAMPB-HI) served as a provisional unit for the provost marshal for Army forces in Hawaii. Their mission was primarily to provide security for military and governmental facilities. The brigade was inactivated in 2006. Shown here is an authorized version of their patch approved in 1985. The unit was redesignated the 333rd Military Police Brigade in 2012. The 800th Military Police Brigade is an Army Reserve unit in Uniondale, New York. It was responsible for Iraqi prisoners of war during Desert Storm. In Iraq during OIF, it served as a subordinate unit of the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC), with responsibility for command and control of theater-level enemy prisoner of war operations. Displayed here are an authorized version of their patch (upper left) and theater-made theater -made patches. patches. The bottom patches patches are a government or commercial made patch and its reverse side with an unusual black base material and sewing pattern. The patch was approved in 1984.


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SIGNAL The 5th Signal Command—nicknamed the “Dragon “Dragon Warriors”— Warriors”— was stationed in Europe and was responsible for tactical and and strategic strategic communication support. Shown here is an authorized desertcolored version of their patch. The patch was authorized in 1994.

Shown here is an authorized 1st Signal Brigade patch. Originally organized in Vietnam, the 1st has been stationed in Korea since 1973. This patch was authorized in 1966.

The 2nd Signal Brigade in Wiesbaden, Germany, has served since 1974 under the 5th Signal Command and was responsible responsib le for US military communications in Germany, Holland, Belgium, and England.

Two examples of the 7th Signal Brigade shoulder patch: on the left is an authorized version and on the right appears to be a very nicely embroidered theater-made version. The 7th Signal Brigade was stationed in Europe and was part of the 5th Signal Command. Units of the brigade brigade have seen seen service in Desert Storm, Storm, Proven Force Force in Rwanda, and OIF. The patch was authorized in 1970.

Four variations of the 3rd Signal Brigade patch, including a very crude-looking theater-made version on the far right. Stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, supporting III Corps, its soldiers have served in Desert Strom and OIF. The patch was authorized in 1979.


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The DCU coat for a captain assigned to the 11th Signal Brigade. In addition to the multiple qualification badges, this officer served in Operation Just Cause in Panama and Desert Storm in Southwest Asia as an enlisted military policeman. The patch was authorized in 1980.

The 11th Signal Brigade patch from an enlisted soldier’s DCU coat. The 11th deployed in the early phases of OEF and OIF and was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Their unit nickname, appropriately enough for this work, was was “The Desert Desert Thunderbirds.” Thunderbirds.”

Three very different looking versions of the 21st Signal Signal Brigade Brigade patch. The The 21st Signal Brigade was stationed at Fort Detrick, Maryland, and provided strategic communications support. The patch was authorized in 2003.


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The 22nd Signal Brigade has a lineage reaching back to WWII. More recently, the 22nd deployed to Desert Storm, Bosnia, and OIF before it was inactivated in May 2007 in Germany. Displayed are an authorized version of their patch (left) and three very similar looking theater-made theater -made versions versions illustrating illustrating slight difference differencess in color and and texture. texture. The patch patch was authorized authorized in 1981. 1981.

For comparison, here are an authorized 35th Signal patch and a theater-made version theater-made version (right) showing showing significant significant differences differences in in design and color. The patch was authorized in 1980 and the airborne tab authorized 1980–2006.

The right sleeve of a DCU belonging to a staff sergeant assigned to the 35th Signal Brigade. During this period the 35th was based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was the only airborne signal brigade in the Army.


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The 93rd Signal Brigade at Fort Gordon, Georgia, was inactivated in 2007. Prior to that, its mission was to install and operate tactical theater communications in support of deployed operations. Seen here are several authorized versions of their patch that was approved in 1981.

The 142nd Signal Brigade was an Alabama Army National Guard unit in Decatur, Alabama, and was inactivated in 2008. Its mission was installing, operating, and maintaining communications systems to support the operations of a deployed Army corps. This is the authorized version of their patch for desert uniforms approved in 1978.

Shown here is the 160th Signal Brigade patch on a DCU coat. The 160th is based at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and was the primary provider of communications support to United States Central Command and the US Third Army.

Shown here are three more 160th Signal patches (left to right): authorized, commercial, and theater-made. The patch was authorized in 1981. theater-made.


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A Signal Corps first lieutenant assigned to the 160th Signal Brigade takes a break at Victory Base in Iraq while waiting for transportation to another site. site. This officer had previously previously served in Bosnia as an enlisted soldier and later also served in Afghanistan. Courtesy Major Bradford M. Bethea


With a lineage that reaches back to the Civil War, the 187th Signal Brigade is a New York Army National Guard unit. Notable among its WWII service are the D-Day landing in Normandy and service in the Ardennes-Alsace campaign. It also served during the 1979 New York State prison guard strike. This is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1987. The unit was inactivated in 1996.

The 311th Signal Command in Fort Meade, Maryland, was the signal command for the Army Component Component Commands within the Pacific and Korean theaters. Shown here is the authorized patch for the command approved in 1996. In 2006, the brigade relocated to Fort Shafter Shafter,, Hawaii.

The 228th Signal Brigade is a South Carolina Army National Guard unit in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that provided provided communications communications support for all of the Department of Defense joint commands. In 1990, a detachment from the 228th was the first National Guard unit to deploy to Saudi Arabia Arabia during Desert Storm. It has also served in OEF. The patch was authorized in 1981. The Army’s 335th Theater Signal Command is an Army Reserve command that was responsible responsible for providing Signal Corps and Chemical Corps soldiers and units to support ARCENT in Southwest Asia.

The 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade (TTSB) was a Delaware Army National Guard unit in Dover, Delaware, tasked with providing theater-level communications. Nicknamed the “Diamond Brigade,” the 261st has supported OIF. Here for comparison are an authorized (left) and theater-made (right) version of their patch. The patch was first authorized in 1972.


The authorized patch for the 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, an Army Reserve unit headquartered at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The 359th has subordinate soldiers and units in seven states: Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It provided theater signal support for OIF and OEF from Kuwait. The patch was authorized in 1988.

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The 516th Signal Brigade, stationed at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, was assigned to the 311th Signal Command. The 516th supports the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) with signal battalions in Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, and Okinawa. Units of the brigade have served in Desert Storm, Somalia, OIF, and OEF. Here is an authorized version of their patch. It was originally authorized for the 1106th Signal Brigade in 1989, then it was redesignated the 516th Signal Brigade in 1992.

The 1107th Signal Brigade at Fort Ritchie, Maryland, was part of the 7th Signal Command. The patch was approved on August 14, 1989. The unit was disbanded in February 1993.

The 1108th Signal Brigade stationed at Fort Detrick, Maryland, provided communication entry points for deployed forces to transmit strategic information. Here is the authorized version of their patch for use on desert uniforms approved in 1995. The unit was redesignated the 21st Signal Brigade in 2003, which was authorized a different patch.

The 1101st Signal Brigade was headquartered at Fort Lesley J. McNair in the Washington, DC, area from 1988 to its inactivation in 1991. Shown here is an authorized version of their patch, which was approved in 1988.

The 1109th Signal Brigade was a very short-lived organization in the Republic Republic of Panama, Panama, existing only four years (1988–91). Organized to support South Command, the brigade took part in Operation “Just Cause” from December 20, 1989 through January 31, 1990. It may be possible to find Army DCU coats with this patch on the combat service sleeve. This is an authorized version of this patch approved in 1989. The unit was redesignated the 106st Signal Brigade in 1991.

The 1104th Signal Brigade existed for just three years (1989–1991) in Japan. It is likely this patch was made for collectors.


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SPACE AND MISSILE

The 1st Space Brigade was a unit of the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ ARSTRAT). It has subordinate units and detachments in numerous countries and at many sites in the United States. Its mission was to provide missile warning, maintain satellite communications, and conduct other space-based missions. This is an authorized version of their shoulder patch approved in 2006.


The 100th Missile Defense Brigade (MDB) was an Active and Reserve Component (Army National Guard) Brigade in Colorado. It also has units in Alaska and California. The 100th MDB (GMD) was part of the USASMDC and shown is an authorized version of their patch approved in 2005.

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CHA PT ER 7

Army Combat Service Support Units and Commands

Every day each US Army division consumed some 345,000 gallons o uel, 213,000 gallons o water, water, and 208 orty-oot trailers o supplies ranging rom barrier materials to ammunition.3 Tis “brute orce” CSS effort was not elegant nor streamlined, but it ensured the success o Des ert Storm and is best summed up by Gen. Robert Scales in Certain Victory: Te US Army in the Gulf War , “Te Iraqi Army stood by and watched on television as the American Army assembled a sophisticated combat orce in ront o them with efficiency and dispatch. Te act o building the logistics inrastructure during Desert Shield created an atmosphere o domination and a sense o inevitable deeat among the Iraqis long beore the shooting war began.” 4 When the war was over, the vast majority o the personnel, vehicles, and unused supplies supplies were returned to US bases in Europe or to the United States. Over 6,000 individual ready reserve soldiers took on this t his enormous task during Operation Desert Farewell. Farewell. Tey were given two years to complete this assignment and accomplished it in just eight months.

Identiying Combat Service Support (CSS) units and what they do can be quite challenging, so we have devoted an entire chapter to this intriguing area o collecting that has conused many in the past. CSS encompasses encompasses the traditional logistics branches quartermaster, quartermaster, ordnance, and transportation; the administrative administr ative branches finance and adjutant general; and the special specia l branches medical, judge advocate, and chaplain. Units and personnel rom these eight branches provide or the Army’s Army’s provision o logistics, personnel services, and health service support necessary to maintain successul Army operations. Troughout the desert uniorm period these were called combat service support branches. Te term “combat service support” was later replaced in Army doctrine by “sustainment” in 2008. Te concept o combat service support sustaining the c ombat arms branches is as old as the Army itsel. On June 16, 1775, the Continental Congress established the quartermaster, finance, and adjutant general corps just two days aer authorizing a standing Army. Te Army Medical Department was ounded on July 27, 1775, and the Chaplains Corps on July 29, 1775. Te Ordnance Corps came on May 14, 1812, during the War o 1812; and the ransportation Corps became an independent branch on July 31, 1942, during WWII. From the Revolutionary War to the present period, the CSS branches have ensured that American soldiers are well provisioned and cared or with the highest standard o any Army. Almost everything a soldier wore, ate, shot, or rode in has been provided and maintained by the logistics branches. Te administrative branches ensured that a soldier was paid and received mail and promotions. Te special branches looked out or the physical, spiritual, and mental health o the soldier, as well as their legal affairs.

Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom In Aghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, the Army conducted an economy o orce operation during the desert deser t uniorm period. Tis was done using Special Operations orces and light inantry units paired with Coalition Alliance allies to subdue the aliban and their al-Qaeda allies throughout the country. Heavy reliance was placed on commercial supply, maintenance, and transportation to provide or these orces. Te military CSS ootprint was relatively small, consisting o a sustainment brigade brigade serving serv ing as the joint logistics headquarters or the theater. Coordinating CSS was a significant challenge, requiring preparation and planning months in advance to ensure adequate supplies and services were available to the most remote areas o the country during the unorgiving winter season. Iraq was a different matter. Te US military launched a massive invasion into Iraq rom Kuwait or twenty-one days starting in March 2003. Although it required less than hal o the ground orces and only two-thirds o the air assets used just twelve years earlier in Desert Storm, it was still a massive logistical endeavor. Resupply Resupply demands required the transportation, storage, and issue o hal a million gallons o uel and 33,000 gallons o water every ever y day.5 Indian activist and author Arundhati Roy remarked about this powerul CSS system: “Hundreds o thousands o men, tanks, ships, choppers, bombs, ammunition, ammunition, gas masks, high protein ood, whole aircras errying toilet paper, insect repellent, vitamins and bottled

Desert Storm Te scale o CSS during Desert Storm was unprecedented. Te magnitude o the deployment exceeded exceede d any previous in US history. histor y. In just our months over 240,000 military and civilian personnel and 250,000 tons o supplies and equipment were moved via air and ship thousands o miles to Saudi Arabia. o enable this enormous effort and the attack into Iraq and Kuwait that ollowed, several hundred CSS units were deployed to Southwest Asia to provide logistics, administrative, and special staff support.1 Another example o this enormous task was t he transportation, storage, and issue o more than 1.9 billion gallons o uel to coalition troops. Tis lieblood o the Army cost nearly $2.2 billion and required an extensive network o tankers, bag arms, and pipelines, all administered by quartermaster petroleum units and proessionals.2 DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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to conducting the retrograde o materiel that ollowed the war. So important was this job, and so successul was the command in ensuring Desert Storm’s logistics success, that its commander, Maj. Gen. Gus Pagonis, was promoted to Lt. Gen. beore the ground war even began. CENCOM Commander Gen. Schwarzkop designated the 22nd as the single theater level logistics organization to allocate resources equitably so that major commands would not hoard nor compete or scarce resources and supplies. Te 10th Personnel Command—a major subordinate organization o the 22nd Support Command—oversaw all personnel matters, including wartime replacement operations, mail, awards, personnel accounting, and casualty affairs or the entire theater o op erations. It was the largest human resources unit organized in support o ground combat operations since WWII. Among the many tasks o the 10th Personnel Command was the requirement to find and license the nearly 8,000 soldiers needed to drive buses and trucks in the theater.

mineral water, are on the move. Te phenomenal logistics o Operation Iraqi Freedom make it a universe unto itsel. It doesn’t doesn’t 6 need to justiy its existence anymore. It exists. It is.” Te soldiers who wore the uniorms and patches that ollow were the logistical muscle who made this antastic system work.

Units Specially Activated for Desert Storm Te scale and scope s cope o logistics and administration during Desert Storm had not been seen since over orty-five years earlier during WWII. o o meet these thes e enormous demands, two major the ater level commands were ormed; their rather unassuming names—the 22 nd Support Command (Teater Army Area) and 10th Personnel Command—belied their true scope s cope and power. Te 22nd Support Command AA AA controlled all aspects o logistics and administration or ARCEN in Desert Storm, rom overseeing the deployment and redeployment o orces and sustaining a massive ground offensive

Lt. Gen. Gus Pagonis served as commander of 22nd Support Command, Theater Army Area (TAA), during Desert Storm. Note the use of woodland green rank qualification badges and 22nd Support Command TAA patches; something that was very common in the period before desert insignia was officially authorized in 1998. Courtesy Army Logistics University

The 22nd Support Command was activated as the ARCENT SUPCOM (Provisional) on August 19, 1990; it was redesignated the 22nd Support Command TAA on December 16, 1990. The patch for the 22nd was originally authorized for the 22nd Field Army Support Command in 1966 and approved for the 22nd Support Command TAA in December 1990. For comparison, here are three desert-colored examples of the 22nd’s patch, with an authorized version on top and two theater-made theater-made examples below below it.


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The DCU coat from an Adjutant General Corps major who served in the 22nd Support Command TAA during Desert Storm. During Desert Storm there were more more than 60,000 60,000 soldiers soldiers assigned to the 22nd. 22nd.

The 22nd Support Command TAA patch proudly worn by a sergeant first class on the right sleeve as a combat patch while serving with Company A, 168th Infantry Regiment, Iowa National Guard during a Cooperative Medical Assistance visit in Parwan Province in Afghanistan. Courtesy US Army

The 10th Personnel Command had a very short existence (1990–92). A subordinate unit of the 22nd Support Command, Command, the 10th was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during Desert Storm while serving as the theater personnel command. Shown here is the authorized version of their patch patch approved approved in 1991. The The Roman numeral “X” alludes to the command’s designation. The upraised sword indicates military preparedness and readiness. A closer look at another woodland-colored 22nd Support Command TAA patch on a late-model lightweight DCU coat.


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National Level Logistics Service Providers Te Army Materiel Command (AMC) is the Army’s Army’s national-level provider or logistics ser services, vices, such as depot maintenance and supply operations. Te US Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) provides budget, manpower, manpower, personnel, and orce structure support to the acquisition community, community, as well as the proessional development o over 40,000 members o the US Army’s acquisition workorce.

The Army Materiel Command (AMC) is the national level provider of supply and maintenance for the Army. Forward deployed support elements from AMC have served nearly everywhere, including Desert Storm, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Shown are two more AMC patches: an authorized version on the left and a rather crudely produced theater-version on the right. The patch was approved in 1962.

The US Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) is at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. An authorized version of their patch is displayed here. The patch was approved for the US Army Acquisition Executive Support Agency in 1998. The Greek “Alpha” and “Omega” characters represent the broad scope of Army procuremen procurementt of nearly everything from A to Z.

DBDU coat belonging to an Ordnance Corps captain assigned to Army Materiel Command (AMC) during Desert Storm. Of note are the theater-made theater -made name tapes, pin-on pin-on rank and and branch insignia, insignia, and and the woodland pattern AMC patch.

This DCU coat has a truly unique set of patches: a theater-made Army Materiel Command unit patch in combination with a Ranger tab, Armor Branch insignia, and a Senior Parachutist’s Badge.

A unique combination of insignia that includes a US Army Acquisition Support Center patch on the left shoulder of a Signal Corps major’s DCU. Note the theater-made Parachute Badge and the unusual signal corps branch insignia with the number “54” for 54th Signal Battalion, which provided extensive communications support to Central Command. Army Combat Service Support Units and Commands

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Multifunctional Logistics Commands Tese logistics commands provided support on a regional or theater-wide basis. At the end o the desert era, the Army’s Army’s move toward a modular orce streamlined and consolidated levels o support, significantly impacting these units, many o which had transitioned to theater and expeditionary sustainment commands.

One of the most frequently deployed sustainment units, the 1st Corps Support Command (COSCOM), stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, has an extensive combat history going back to Vietnam, Grenada, and Panama. It served with distinction in Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Here are five variations of the 1st COSCOM patch approved in 1952, including one that still has some of the original DCU material attached. The right-most patch in the bottom row is a theater-made version. The 1st COSCOM was redesignated the 1st Theater Sustainment Command in 2006.

The DCU coat belonging to a quartermaster parachute rigger staff sergeant assigned to 1st Corps Support Command (COSCOM). Although some units of the 1st COSCOM wore the airborne tab, not all of its units were airborne. The COSCOM’s parachute rigger companies served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Qatar, dropping millions of pounds of supplies and equipment while living up to their motto, “I will be sure always.” Another theater-made 1st Corps Support Command patch. During this period, 1st COSCOM was home-based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and supported the XVIII Airborne Corps. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The 8th Field Army Support Command was in Korea and supported the US Eight Army. The patch was approved on May 3, 1968. The unit was redesignated the 8th Theater Sustainment Command on December 6, 2005, and moved to Hawaii.

The DCU coat belonging to a Transportation Corps lieutenant colonel with Desert Storm combat service in the 2nd Corps Support Command, a unit with a long history of service in Germany. The 2nd COSCOM supported VII Corps in Desert Storm and was disbanded upon its return to Germany in 1991. The The patch was was approved in 1966.

From a DCU coat, this is a theater-made version of the 2nd Corps Support Command patch. Nicknamed the “Champions,” the 2nd COSCOM provided logistical support to VII Corps in Germany for over twenty years. years. During Desert Desert Storm, the the 2nd tripled tripled in size to 26,000 soldiers in over 215 companies, many from stateside active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve units. Army Combat Service Support Units and Commands

A DBDU coat belonging to a Quartermaster Corps officer assigned to 3rd Corps Support Command. Of note here are the Expert Infantryman Badge and Parachute Badge; an unusual combination for quartermaster soldiers.

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The 3rd Corps Support Command was in Germany until 2007, when it moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Units of the 3rd COSCOM served in Somalia, as well as participating in every OIF rotation since 2003, and in Afghanistan. Seen here are two versions of the 3rd COSCOM patch: the authorized version approved in 1952 (left) and a theater-made version (right). It was redesignated the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command in 2007.

An early DBDU coat from a soldier assigned to the 13th Corps Support Command during Desert Storm. The 13th played an important role supporting the liberation of Kuwait during Desert Storm. The 13th COSCOM also deployed to Somalia in 1992, and to Iraq 2003–2005. It was redesignated the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in 2006.

A theater-made example of the 3rd Corps Support Command patch on the right sleeve of a DCU coat. Note the white “Hajji cloth” backing common to early theater-made theater -made patches. patches.

The 13th Corps Support Command was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The 13th has served in Somalia and several OIF and OEF rotations, as well as during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Here are five versions of the 13th COSCOM COSCOM patch, patch, with the authorized authorized version version approved approved in 1966 1966 on the top row and theater-made versions below. It served as the 13th Corps Support Command 1967–2006, when it was redesignated the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

The 5th Theater Army Area Command was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, as the logistical element of the US Army Southern European Task Force. It was inactivated in August 1993. The patch was originally approved for the 5th Logistical Command on August 21, 1962. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The 19th Theater Support Command was stationed in Taegu, Korea, with the mission of supporting units within the Republic of Korea. The patch was authorized in 1975. The 19th was redesignated the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in 2000.

A nicely preserved DBDU coat belonging to a Transportation Corps captain assigned to the 21st Support Command for Desert Storm. It appears this officer had all new woodland pattern subdued patches sewn to his uniform but recycled a US Army tape from a set of BDUs.

The 20th Support Command was headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Maryland. The 20th was responsible for all Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units in the US and provides technical support for military operations and civil authorities. An authorized version of their patch is shown here. This patch was approved for the 20th Support Command on April 5, 2005.

The 21st Support Command—stationed in Germany—was the largest permanent logistics command in the world and had a significant presence in Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Three versions of the 21st Support Command patch are displayed: on the left is the authorized version approved in 1966, and next to it are two theater-made examples, including a very crude patch probably made shortly after Desert Storm. The 21st patch was originally approved for the 1st Support Brigade in 1966. It served as the 21st Support Command 1976–2007, when it was redesignated the 21st Theater Sustainment Command.

A desert-colored 21st Support Command patch worn on the combat service sleeve of an early model heavyweight DCU. Army Combat Service Support Units and Commands

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The 167th Support Command was an Army National Guard unit in Birmingham, Alabama. The patch was originally authorized in 1960 for the 167th Support Brigade. It served as the 167th Support Command 1976–2006, then as the 167th Theater Sustainment Command, which provides support to Northern Command (NORTHCOM) units. Units of the 167th deployed in support of OIF in 2004. Shown here is an authorized version of the 167th’s patch (left) and a theater-made version (right).

The 311th Corps Support Command was an Army Reserve unit headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The 311th had sixty-two subordinate units and over 6,000 soldiers from Arizona, California, and Nevada. The 311th supported Desert Storm and OEF. Its patch was originally approved for the 311th Logistical Command in March 1955. It was the 311th Support Brigade 1968–1980, the 311th COSCOM 1980–2006, and then the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

A very early and crudely theater-made 377th Support Command patch on the right shoulder shoulder of an engineer engineer corps captain’ captain’s 1990 DCU. The The unit was was the 377th Support Command Command 2000–2007, 2000–2007, when it was redesignated redesignated the 377th Theater Sustainment Command.

The 377th Support Command was an Army Reserve unit in Belle Chase, Louisiana. Soldiers of the 377th have deployed to OIF and OEF. Shown here are the authorized version of their patch (left), a commercially made version (center), and a theater-made theater -made example example (right). The patch was authorized in 1966 for the 377th Corps Support Command. It served as the 377th Support Command 1979–1981 and then as the 377th (TAACOM) 1981–2000.


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Multifunctional Logistics Brigades and Groups Near the end o the desert period, the Army converted several division support commands, area support groups, and Army Reserve regional readiness commands (RRCs) into sustainment brigades as part o movement to a more streamlined logistical support str ucture. Sustainment brigades provided logistics support to multiple major units, such as divisions and separate brigades, on an area basis.

The 3rd Sustainment Brigade was headquartered at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The 3rd was responsible for logistical support to the 3rd Inf antry Division; this is reflected in t heir shoulder patch, which maintains the diagonal lines representing the 3rd’ 3rd’ss WWI campaigns. The three arrowheads highlight the brigade’s numerical designation and was authorized in 2006.

The 10th Sustainment Brigade—nicknamed the “Muleskinners”—provided logistical support to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, in upstate New York. The 10th has campaign credit for Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Balkans, OIF, OIF, and OEF. OEF. The crossed crossed bayonets bayonets and mountains mountains in the 10th Brigade’ Brigade’ss patch reflect reflect its heritage as the 10th Mountain Division Support Command (DISCOM). Displayed are the authorized version of their patch approved in 2006 (left) and two theater-made examples.

The 4th Sustainment Brigade was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The 4th served in several rotations in support of OIF. Seen here is the authorized patch of the 4th Sustainment Brigade that was approved in 2006. The ivy leaf centered in the patch reflects the 4th’s habitual relationship with the 4th Infantry Division and the “W” represents the unit’s unofficial nickname, “Wrangler.”

A late-model DCU coat belonging to a soldier with combat service in the 4th Sustainment Brigade. Army Combat Service Support Units and Commands

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The 15th Sustainment Brigade—nicknamed the “Wagonmaster Brigade”— was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and later moved to Fort Bliss, Texas. Originally assigned to support the 1st Cavalry Division, the 15th now primarily supports the 1st Armored Division. The 15th had extensive service in Vietnam, Desert Storm, and OIF. Shown here is an authorized version of the 15th’s patch that was approved in 2006. The horse’s head is representative of the unit’s long association with the 1st Cavalry Cavalry Division. Division.

The 77th Sustainment Brigade was an Army Reserve unit at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Here is an authorized version of their patch that reflects the lineage of the 77th Infantry Division, owner of a proud combat record stretching back to the Meuse Argonne in WWI. The patch was originally approved for the 77th Division in 1922. It was the 77th Army Reserve Command 1968–1996 and the 77th Regional Support Command (RSC)1997– 2003, when it became the 77th Regional Readiness Command (RRC). It was redesignated the 77th Sustainment Sustainment Brigade in 2008.

The 45th Sustainment Brigade was based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and supported US Army units in the Pacific region. It was a subordinate unit of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command and has served in Iraq (2006) and Afghanistan (2009, 2012). This patch was authorized when the 45th Corps Support Group (Forward) was redesignated the 45th Sustainment Sustainm ent Brigade in 2006. The lightning bolt reflects the unit’s history with the 25th Infantry Division.

The 55th Sustainment Brigade is a hard-to-find patch for a unit that stood up late in the desert period. This Army Reserve brigade at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, has seen service in OIF (2008–09) and OEF (2013–14). The pentagonal shape symbolizes the activation of the unit during the global war on terrorism and the unit’s location location not far from the Pentagon. The “V,” signifying victory, when combined with the five-sided shape alludes to the unit designatio designation n “55.” The patch was approved on March 23, 2006, when the 55th Material Management Management Center was redesignated a sustainment brigade. Courtesy Pierre Emmanuel Vergote


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The 89th Sustainment Brigade retains the patch that was first worn by the 89th Division at the end of WWI and during the subsequent occupation of the German Rhineland. The authorized version of the patch is shown on a late-model DCU coat.


The 89th Sustainment Brigade was an Army Reserve unit in Wichita, Kansas. Elements of the brigade have seen service in OIF. Four more examples of the 89th’s patch are shown with authorized variations on top, commercially commercially made (bottom left) left) and theater-ma theater-made de (bottom (bottom right). The patch was originally approved for the 89th Division in 1918. The unit was the 89th Army Reserve Command 1974–1996 and the 89th RSC 1997–2003, when it became the 89th RRC. It was redesignated the 89th Sustainment Brigade in 2009.

The late-model, smaller collar DCU coat belonging to a staff sergeant assigned to the 90th Sustainment Brigade. The combined “T” and “O” symbol reflect the 90th’s original origin as a National Army division with draftees from Texas and Oklahoma.

Three variations of the 90th Sustainment Brigade’s patch: the authorized version (left and center) and a theater-made example (right). In 2003, the 90th RSC was redesignated as an RRC. It was again redesignated on September 17, 2008, to become the 90th Sustainment Brigade and is in North Little Rock, Arkansas.


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The 96th Sustainment Brigade was an Army Reserve unit from Fort Douglas, near Salt Lake City, Utah. The 96th has lineage as an infantry division in WWII. Units of the 96th have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Djibouti. Four variations of the 96th Sustainment Brigade patch show once again how even a simple design can have multiple iterations. The patches on the left are variations of the authorized patch. On the top right is a theater-made theater -made version, version, and bottom bottom right is a commercial commercial variation. The patch patch was authorized in 1927 for the 96th Infantry Division. It was the 96th Reserve Command 1968–1995, the 96th RSC 1996–2003, and the 96th RRC 2003–2006, when the unit became a sustainment brigade.

The 108th Sustainment Brigade is an Illinois Army National Guard unit. The “Y” in the center of the 108th’s authorized patch represents the confluence of the Chicago and North Branch Rivers in the city of Chicago, thereby honoring its home location. Units of the brigade brigade have served served in Iraq and Kuwait. The patch was approved in 2006.

The 115th Area Support Group was a California Army National Guard unit in the central part of the state. Units of the 115th deployed in 1990 for Desert Storm and also severed in several annual exercises in Germany. This is an authorized version of their patch approved in 2005.

The 321st Sustainment Brigade was an Army Reserve unit based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The 321st served in Desert Storm and in 2003, deployed soldiers to Kuwait as the Corps Theater Automation Support Center (CTASC) in support of the opening phases of OIF. Units of the brigade have also served in OEF. The patch was approved in 2006, and the central scarlet bar on the patch is a “red stick” representing their home station, Baton Rouge.

The 304th Sustainment Brigade is another hard-to-find patch for a unit that stood up late in the desert period. This Army Reserve brigade at March Air Reserve Base in California deployed to support OIF in 2008. The patch symbolizes the 304th’s willingness to cross any obstacle—land, water, or air—to accomplish their mission. The patch was approved on March 6, 2006, when the 304th Material Management Center was redesignated a sustainment brigade. Courtesy Pierre Emmanuel Vergote DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Quartermaster Units

The 49th Quartermaster Group (Petroleum and Water) was stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia, and was responsible for tactical petroleum petroleum and and water distribution and storage. It also contained the Army’s two active duty mortuary affairs companies. The entire 49th Group deployed to Iraq in 2003, to support support the invasion invasion of Iraq, Iraq, and built a 220-mile petroleum pipeline from Kuwait into Iraq. Its units deployed numerous times to OIF and OEF. OEF. Displayed (left to right) are an authorized version of the patch approved in 1998, a well-worn patch still attached to a remnant of DCU, and a theater-made variation. The unit was inactivated in 2012.

Proving that there was no end to the hard work in an Army logistics unit, these soldiers soldiers from the the 49th Quartermaster Quartermaster Group Group work together together to spread out one of their large fuel holding bladders. Courtesy US Army

The 156th Quartermaster Command was a New Mexico National Guard unit responsible for providing bulk petroleum products. The unit existed briefly from 1969–1972. When it was redesignated the 156th Support Group in 1972, it was no longer authorized a patch, so this patch was most likely made solely for collectors.


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Ordnance Units

The 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD) was headquartered at Fort Gillem, Georgia, until 2009, then at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It was responsible for all US Army EOD Battalions and Companies east of the Mississippi River in the United States. Units of the 52nd Group have seen multiple deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Shown here is an authorized version of the 52nd’s patch approved in 1995 (left) and a theatermade version (right).

The 59th Ordnance Brigade headquarters served in Germany until it was inactivated at the end of the Cold War in 1992. There it was responsible for delivering, maintaining, and supervising the handling and destruction of nuclear and other special weapons for NATO. It was reactivated in 1994 at Redstone Arsenal and then relocated in 2001 to Fort Lee, Virginia, as the Ordnance Ordnance School’s School’s training brigade. brigade. During Desert Storm it loaded and shipped Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia. Displayed here are two versions of their 1980 authorized patch showing very different color schemes.


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Transportation Units The 3rd Transportation Command was an Army Reserve unit stationed in Anniston, Alabama; Orlando, Florida; and later Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Elements of the unit served in Kuwait during OIF. The patch was approved for the 3rd Transportati Transportation on Command in 1969. It served as the 3rd Transportati Transportation on Brigade 1972–1994, when it became the 3rd Transportation Agency. In 2004, it was the 3rd Transportation Command. It was redesignated the 3rd Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) in 2013.

The 4th Transportation Command was stationed in Germany and inactivated in 1989. It served in WWII and Vietnam. Its patch was approved for the 4th Transportation Command in 1967; it was redesignated the 4th Transportat Transportation ion Brigade from 1975, until it reverted to a Transportation Command in 1981.

The 7th Transportation Group was nicknamed the “Resolute Brigade” and was stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It was the first logistical unit to deploy to Saudi Arabia Arabia in Desert Desert Storm and was responsible responsible for operating operating the the Saudi seaports. As one of the Army’s most deployed units, it also served in Rwanda, OIF, and OEF. Shown here are nine examples of the 7th patch: the top row is authorized versions and the bottom two rows are theater-made. The patch was originally authorized for the 7th Transportation Command in 1967. It was the 7th Transportat Transportation ion Group 1984–2006 1984–2006 and and the 7th Sustainmen Sustainmentt Brigade 2006–2014, when it was redesignated again as the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary).


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The 32nd Transportation Command was a short-lived unit of the Army Reserve stationed in Tampa, Florida; it existed from 1968 to 1972. The command’s mission was logistical over-the-shore operations: the transfer of personnel and cargo from one mode of transportation to another at water terminals.

The 37th Transportation Group was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The 37th had a long history of providing transportation support across Europe, but was not authorized a patch until 2005. It was inactivated in 2007. It served in Desert Storm, as well as Iraq and Kuwait during OIF. This is its authorized patch (left) and a theater-made version (right).


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The 143rd Transportation Command was an Army Reserve unit stationed in Orlando, Florida. The 143rd has maintained a continuous presence in Southwest Asia in support of OIF and OEF. Displayed here are an authorized version (left) and three theater-made variations showing significant differences in size and design. The patch was originally authorized in 1968 for the 143rd Transportation Brigade. It served as the 143rd Transportation Command 1985–2007, when it was redesignated the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

The 184th Transportation Brigade was a unit of the Mississippi Army National Guard in Laurel, Mississippi, that provided transportation transporta tion support support to Army units units deployed deployed to a theater theater of operations. Two variations of the authorized version of their patch are shown. The The patch was originally originally approved for the 184th Transportation Command in 1969. The unit was redesignated the 184th Transportation Brigade in 1972 and the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in 2006.

The 425th Transportation Brigade was an Army Reserve unit from Illinois that served in Desert Storm and was inactivated in 1993. Their patch was originally approved for the 425th Transportation Command in 1967. The 425th was redesignated the 425th Transportat ransportation ion Brigade in 1972.


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Personnel and Finance Units

The desert version of the 1st Personnel Command, which was in Germany 1978–2008. The 1st was designed to provide personnel and administrative administrati ve support to US Army units in USAREUR. The patch was approved in 1978 and cancelled on October 15, 2008, when the unit was downgraded to a personnel center.

The 3rd Personnel Command was an Army Reserve unit in Jackson, Mississippi. The 3rd served in Djibouti, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, where it performed casualty reporting operations, reception of forces, theater postal operations, and other personnel services. The three rings on the patch— approved in 1990—symbolized the command’s designation as the 3rd.

The 336th Finance Command was an Army Reserve unit based in Lake Charles, Louisiana. One of their habitual missions was support of the Bright Star training exercises in Egypt. They also served in Kuwait in support of OIF. The patch was approved for the 336th Finance Command in 1995. The unit was redesignated the 336th Finance Center Center in 2007, 2007, and inactivated inactivated a short while later.


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CHA PT ER 8

Army Special Operations Forces

US Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) have always had special mystique and mythology that attracts collectors. Te extraordinary heroism and daring exploits o these soldiers and units have ueled a significant ollowing o collectors specializing in all things Specia l Operations. Collectors are ascinated by the variations o uniorms, as well as the nearly endless variety o nonstandard equipment and gear used by special operators. We We seek in this thi s chapter to briefly define the units and insignia they wore, as well as provide representative examples o their uniorms. Images and descriptions o Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps Special Operations uniorms and insignia can be ound in their respective service chapters.

Coat and trousers from one of the earliest versions of DBDUs. The inside instruction label indicates the official nomenclature for this uniform was “COAT, SPECIAL FORCES, AIRBORNE.” The inside layer of extra material is present in this 1977-dated 1977-dated coat. coat. Note these earlyversion DBDUs also came equipped with epaulets.

The inside view of the Special Forces DBDU coat showing the extra material sewn into the shoulders and upper back.


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The inside of the 1977 Special Forces trousers shows a series of buttons that can be used for for attachment attachment to suspenders. suspenders. This This feature was not used in later DBDU trouser versions.

The contract data and washing instructions label found inside the Special Forces trousers.

The label from inside the coat, providing stock number, size information, and wearing/care instructions. It also indicates it was made in accordance to a 1977 procurement contract.

The back of the Special Forces coat and the epaulet on the left shoulder is clearly visible.


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US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) At Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and established in 1989, the US Army Special Operations Command provided oversight or all Army Special Operations orces, ensuring they were properly trained and ready or world-wide operations. USASOC replaced the 1st Special Operations Command (1st SOCOM), which was provisionally established in 1983 at Fort Bragg to provide command and control over all active duty Army Special Operations units. 1st SOCOM was inactivated a year aer USASOC was created.

The right sleeve of a DCU belonging to a Special Forces soldier showing combat service with the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The spearhead alludes to the heritage heritage and traditions traditions of WWII 1st Special Service Service Forces. The dagger symbolizes preparedness and has long been associated with Army special operation forces. The USASCOC patch was authorized in 1990.

Two authorized versions of the Special Forces shoulder patches. On the right is an example of the patch sewn to a Velcro backing for ease of removal. The arrowhead alludes to the American Indian’s basic skills in which Special Forces personnel are trained at the highest degree. The dagger represents the unconventional nature of Special Forces operations; the three lightning flashes are their ability to strike rapidly by air, water, or land. The patch was authorized in 1955.

A comparison of Army Special Operations Command patches with the authorized patch on the left and and the spice spice brown border border variation variation on the right. Army Special Operations Forces

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US Army Special Forces US Army Special Forces Operational Detachments (ODAs) are well-trained in the missions o unconventional warare, oreign internal deense, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counterterrorism. Army Special Forces trace their roots to unconventional warare units o WWII, including the Alamo Scouts, Philippine guerrillas, the First Special Service Force, and the Operational Groups (OGs) o the Office o Strategic Ser vices (OSS). Since their establishment in 1952, Special Forces soldiers have operated with distinction in Vietnam, El Salvador, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Aghanistan, Iraq, and the Philippines. During the desert period there were nine Special Forces groups: Active Special Forces Groups: - 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Fort Lewis, Washington Washington,, and orii orii Station, Okinawa - 3rd Special Forces Group, Group, Fort Fort Bragg, North Carolina Carolina - 5th Special Forces Group, Group, Fort Fort Campbell, Kentucky Kentucky - 7th Special Forces Group, Group, Fort Fort Bragg, North Carolina - 10th Special Forces Group, Bad ölz, ölz, Germany, Germany, and Fort Devens, Massachusetts An example of an SF officer’s DCU coat with Velcro attachments for shoulder patches.

Reserve Special Specia l Forces Groups (inactivated 15 September 1995) - 11th Special Forces Forces Group, Group, Fort Meade, Meade, Maryland - 12th Special Forces Group, Group, Arlington Arlington Heights, Illinois National Guard Special Forces Groups - 19th Special Forces Group, Group, Utah Utah Army National National Guard - 20th Special Forces Group, Group, Alabama Army Army National Guard Guard

Members of a Special Forces unit issue clothing and equipment out of twenty-foot metal shipping twenty-foot shipping containers containers to recruits recruits in Afghanistan Afghanistan.. Note the sandbagged sandbagged guard guard post in the middle middle background, background, a reminder reminder of the dangerous environment in which these soldiers were working. Courtesy US Army

A variety of authorized and theatermade (bottom two in the right column) Special Forces tabs. The Special Forces tab could only only be worn by a Special Forces qualified soldier who graduated from the physically and mentally demanding Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) or equivalent. This tab was approved in 1983.


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The 75th Ranger Regiment is the Army’s premier light infantry unit. The “Ranger Scroll” patch for the Ranger Regimental Headquarters and three Ranger battalions was authorized in 1983. The Ranger Special Troops Battalion patch was authorized in 2006, near the end of the desert period. Courtesy PierreEmmanuel Vergote

Ranger Regiment Rangers were the premier light inantry orce o the US Army and their mission was to conduct direct action operations, raids, personnel recovery, and conventional light inantry operations. Modern-era Ranger history can be traced back to WWII, when the Army activated six Ranger inantry battalions that were trained to British Brit ish Commando standards. Ranger units went on to serve with va lor and distinction in Korea, Vietnam (Long Range Recon Patrols), Patrols), Grenada, Panama, Aghanistan, and Iraq. Te 75th Ranger R anger Regiment was established in 1984, combining the 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions that had existed since 1974 with the new 3rd Ranger Battalion and Ranger Regimental Headquarters. Ranger units during this period were: - 75th Ranger Regimental Headquarters, Fort Benn ing, Georgia - 1st Ranger Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia - 2nd Ranger R anger Battalion, Fort Lewis, Washington Washington - 3rd Ranger Battalion, Fort Benning, Georgia

This 75th Infantry Regiment patch was designed for Army Ranger units in 1975 by the US Army Institute Institute of of Heraldry, but was never worn. The 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions instead opted to wear the Ranger scroll, a tradition since WWII. This patch was known to be sewn on other items to show affiliation with the Rangers.

Rangers assigned to 1st Platoon, Company “B” of the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Infantry Regiment pose for a group photograph with their weapons in Afghanistan in 2003. Note several of them have Velcro patches displaying their blood type on the left sleeve of their DCUs. Courtesy US Army Army Special Operations Forces

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Two more variations of the Ranger scroll patch showing a different outline color than seen in the previous group of Ranger patches.

A variety of authorized and theater-made Ranger theater-made Ranger tabs clearly showing the wide variation in letter size and font. Wearers of this tab were graduates of the US Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia, after a grueling sixty-one day course with a high attrition rate. This tab was authorized in 1950

A closer view of a woodland patch worn on a DBDU coat belonging to a soldier assigned to the US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. A soldier assigned to the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion stops to greet local children during a routine patrol in Mosul, Iraq, on June 20, 2003. Courtesy US Army

United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) Tis organization was ounded in 1985 to provide command and control over the Army’s Army’s civil affairs and psychological operations units and soldiers in the active Army and Army Reserve. Te civil affairs and psychological operations unctions can trace their origins back to WWI, with civil-military operations during the war and occupation period. During the desert period, the civil affairs and psychological operations units wore the distinctive patch o this command.

Civil Affairs Established in 1955, US Army Civil Affairs (CA) units and soldiers were responsible or conducting civilian-military operations, including civilian inormation management, oreign humanitarian assistance, nation assistance, population and resource control, and support to civil administration. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Three variations of the US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command patch (left to right): two authorized versions, a commercial version, and a theater-made version. The majority of civil affairs and psychological operation units reside in the Army Reserve. The sword represents the military nature and and strength of the command. command. The two lightning lightning flashes suggest speed and electronic communicat communications. ions. This patch was authorized in 1990. The 350th Civil Affairs Command patch authorized for soldiers assigned to this command whose mission/focus area is the Caribbean. The mountain divided by a stylized wave symbolizes the Caribbean. The rope annulet ties the two areas together, symbolizing unity and constancy. The sword and olive branch represent conflict and peacetime operations. This patch was authorized in 1999. Now in Pensacola, Florida, the unit was previously the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade.

A DCU coat belonging to a civil affairs branch major assigned to the Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command.

Psychological Operations

160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR)

Army Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) units and solders worked to “inorm and influence” by sending a consistent message that influences target audiences and their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the t he behavior o governments, governments, organizations, groups, and individuals. Tere were a total o three Army Psychological Operations units (one active and two reserve) operating during the desert period.

Te 160th SOAR—also known as “the Night Stalkers”—was established in 1981. Designed to provide helicopter aviation aviation support or Special Operations orces, its capabilities include helicopter attack, assault, and reconnaissance missions. Te 160th’s 160th’s operations were usually conducted at night, at high speeds, spee ds, low altitudes, and on short notice. Soldiers assigned to this unit wore the USASO C patch during the desert uniorm period.


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528th Special Operations Support Battalion (SOSB)/528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) Established in 1986, the 528th SOSB provided medical, transportation, maintenance, and supply capability to Army Special Operations units. Te 528th served in Panama and Desert Storm, as well as Iraq and Aghanistan. In 1995, USASOC created a provisional Special Operations Support Command (SOSCOM) that combined the logistics support o the 528th with the theater signal capabilities o the 112th Special Operations Signal Battalion. On De cember 1, 2005, the 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations - Provisional) was established to replace SOSCOM. All o these units wore the USASOC patch on the desert uniorm.1

US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) Stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, SOCOM was established on April 16, 1987. SOCOM is the US combatant command responsible or the oversight o the Special Operations commands o the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Its primary ocus was on organizing, training, and equipping Special Operations orces and providing those orces to support our-star regional combatant commanders and US ambassadors.

A Desert Storm-era DBDU coat for a Special Forces qualified warrant officer assigned to the 352nd Civil Affairs Command from Riverdale, Maryland. Of note here is the mixture of woodland patches and insignia combined with tan name tapes that was not uncommon during this period.

The authorized version of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) patch with its associated airborne tab. This patch was authorized in 1988.

The desert-colored version of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command patch. The unit’s Maryland origin and stationing is reflected in the lower half of the patch, which has adopted the cross from the state flag. The sword and scroll—adapted from the insignia of branch—are symbolic of the unit’s basic mission. This patch was authorized in 1977. Another US Special Operations Command desert-colored patch, this time an unauthorized version.


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Operations tactics. JSOC does not have a patch and should not be conused with the Special Operations Command Joint Forces Command, which was ocused on supporting the Joint Forces Command mission o transormation o US military c apabilities.

Regional Special Operations Commands Although these commands are not Army specific, we have included the patches or the five regional Special Operational Commands in this chapter because these patches were created or and worn by members o the Army while serving in these commands. Some may question why these commands—which were outside Special Operations Command Central—have desert patches. Personnel rom these commands provided technical assistance or reinorcing support to combat operations in Iraq and Aghanistan. Te regional commands were:

The desert-colored patch for the Army’s 1st Special Operations Command. The command was established in 1982; the patch was authorized in 1983, and worn until the US Army Special Operations Command was established in 1989. An Army-wide competition was held to determine this patch design; the winner submitted this unique “Trojan Horse” and lightning bolt composition.

Special Operations Command Central (SOCCEN) Tis command was established in 1986, at MacDill A rare early unauthorized 1990s Special Operations Command Central Air Force Base, Florida. (SOCCENT) desert patch locally made SOCCEN provides comfor wear on the pocket. Courtesy mand and control o all PierreEmmanuel Vergote Special Operations orces in the Central Command area o responsibility, in-

Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)

cluding twenty-seven countries o the Middle East. By the early 1990s, SOCCEN had authorized the wear o a square pocket patch manuactured locally by H. J. Saunders o

JSOC was initially established in 1980, in the wake o the ailed hostage rescue mission in Iran. It was created to ensure interoperability and equipment standardization between the services’ Special Operations orces. It identified Special Operations equipment requirements and techniques. It also planned and conducted Special Operations exercises and training, as well as developing joint Special

An example of a Special Forces officer’s DCU coat with the SOCCENT patch and Special Forces combat patch. Note the Combat Infantryman’s badge Courtesy Bob Bob Ziccardi with 2nd award, as well as the unusually small Military Freefall Parachute Badge. Courtesy Army Special Operations Forces

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The many deployments to OIF and OEF by Special Operations are reflected in the many variations of the Special Special Operations Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) patch. The patches in the top row were designed for the DCU, while the patches on the bottom row, although desert in color, were designed for wear on the BDU. This patch was authorized in 1995.

Each of the Army’s Army’s regional service component commands (ASCCs) has a corresponding special operation force. Here is the authorized patch for Special Operations Command, Europe. The shield represents strength and defense, the indented border implies hazardous conditions, and the dagger represents military preparedness.

Naples, Florida. Tis patch was not approved approved by the US Army Institute o Heraldry. Te patch was made in ull color, woodland subdued, and desert camouflage. Later, the authorized shield-shaped SOCCEN shoulder patch was approved in 1995, and has the widest variation o any desert patch we have encountered. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) Established in 1983 to support the United Stated European Command area o responsibility, responsibility, its patch was authorized in 1993.


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There are several layers of symbolism in this Special Operations Command, South patch: three lightning bolts represent rapid deployment by sea, air, and land. A dagger ties the organization organization to its US Army special operations forefathers. The wings represent rotary wing aviation and the trident is representative of the US Army Special Special Forces surface, sub-surface, and small boat operations.

The authorized version of desert-colored patch for the Special Operations Command, Pacific. The shield and sunburst denote the unit’s area of operations in the Pacific and the dagger symbolizes the mission and heritage heritage of special operations.

Another Special Operations patch that reflects the multi-service makeup of the force: the Special Operations Command, Joint Forces Command patch retains the Army and Navy special operations symbols— the trident, trident, lightning lightning bolt, and dagger are adapted from the unit’s predecessor Special Operations Command - Atlantic Command. The trident—a symbol of naval prowess—symbolizes the Navy SEAL teams and and special special boat units. The lightning bolt denotes Air Force Special Operations. The dagger is associated with Army Special Operations forces. This patch was authorized in 2003.

The authorized version of the Special Operation Command, Korea, patch. Note the traditionall Korean traditiona Han Guk symbol symbol at the base of the patch patch behind the dagger. The stylized parachute denotes quick response capabilities and three lightning bolts symbolize the joint nature of the organization, as well as insertion/ exfiltration of forces by land, sea, and air.

Special Operations Op erations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) (SOCPAC) Established in 1983 to support the United States Pacific Command area o responsibility. responsibility. Its patch was authorized in 1997.

Desert Storm Over 9,000 Special Operations soldiers participated in Operation Desert Storm. O that number, some 7,705 served in Saudi Arabia and 1,049 in urkey. urkey. Tey did everything rom  rom serving as interpreters to coordinating strikes against Iraqi orces behind enemy lines. Small detachments o Special Operations soldiers served on the ront lines gathering intelligence. intelligence. Tey also unc tioned as the early warning orce in the event Iraqi orces attempted to invade Saudi Arabia. Special Forces Coalition Support eams (CSs) were integrated with every coalition coa lition unit rom division to company level and provided language assistance, advice on training and planning,

Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) Established in 1988 1 988 to support the United Nations Command/Combined Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea (UNC/CFC/USFK) on the Korean peninsula. Its patch was authorized in 1996. Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUH) Established in 1986 to support the t he United States Southern Command area o responsibility. responsibility. Its patch was authorized in 1995. Army Special Operations Forces

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The DBDU coat belonging to a Special Forces colonel. Of note here are the wide collars and the use of woodland subdued patches for the name tapes, rank, rank, branch, and and specialty specialty badges. badges. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

enhanced communications, and most importantly, served as the critical link to US air and artiller y fire support. Around 109 CSs were ormed and served with w ith Saudi, Egyptian, Syrian, Kuwaiti, and other coalition partner units. Gen. Schwarzkop would call these teams, “the glue that held the coalition together.” 2 A Psychological Operations (PSYOPs) (PSYOPs) campaign was launched during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm to build support rom coalition orces, counter the propaganda coming rom the Iraqis, strike terror in Iraqi orces, and cause the Iraqi population to lose their desire to fight. PSYOP PSYOP efforts included influencing the media in Arab states, conducting radio broadcasts into Iraq, loudspeaker broadcasts on the ront lines, and the dropping o PSYOP PSYOP leaflets by US Air Force B-52 bombers on major Iraqi units. Tis last effort caused mass deections o Iraqi soldiers. Over 900 PSYOPs PSYOPs soldiers were involved in these efforts. Te most effective part o the PSYOPs campaign was the dropping o leaflets by a variety o aircra which reached nearly 98% o Iraqi soldiers and sent the message o the overwhelming over whelming superiority o coalition orces.3 When Saddam Hussain launched SCUD missiles against Saudi Arabia and Israel, Special Forces and Ranger units were called upon to identiy the missile launching sites and their logistical support structure within Iraq. Nearly our hundred Special Operations

The DBDU uniform coat of a Special Forces soldier worn during 1990–1993. This is one of the earlier, heavy-duty versions of the DBDU that has the inside extra layer of material yoke and is dated 1985.


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The authorized woodland pattern Special Forces patches attached to a DBDU coat. coat.

An interesting shot of US Army Special Forces soldiers taken in Southwest Asia in 1993. Of note here is the wide variety of uniform combinations, including DBDUs with woodland and desert-colored patches and DCUS with woodland and desert-colored patches. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra The DCU coat belonging to the commander of the 5th Special Forces group. Interesting here are the standard woodland subdued unit patches on the left sleeve and the theater-made desert colored patches for the rest of the uniform, including a name tape with English and Arabic. This later version of the DCU coat also has the smaller collars. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra


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Taken a few months before the final withdrawal of US forces from Somalia, here a group of Special Forces officers are in front of a Canadian Huey helicopter as they prepare to fly to a meeting with some Somali tribal leaders. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

soldiers were involved in anti-SCUD missile missions. Some o these teams were deployed hundreds o miles inside Iraq to coordinate with coalition aircra or strikes on SCUD sites. 4 During the ground war some Special Operations units conducted Special Reconnaissance (SR) missions. Special Forces teams were assigned to the VII Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps to act as orward intelligence eyes o each corps. Tese efforts involved helicopter insertion o SF teams up to 165 miles behind enemy lines, where they could obser ve the highways that Iraqi orces would use to move troops. 5 Afer the war, civil affairs teams played an important role providing relie to the population o Kuwait. In the first two months ollowing the war’s successul conclusion, these soldiers distributed 12.8 million liters o water, 125,000 tons o ood, and 1,250 tons o medical supplies in Kuwait. Kuwait.6

units, and Navy SEALs. One o its assigned objectives was locating and capturing Gen. Mohamed Aidid and the senior members o his Somali armed action. Aer six successul missions, a seventh mission on October 3–4, 1993, to capture two o Aidid’s senior lieutenants resulted in two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters being shot down. Te resulting rescue operation led to an intense battle in the midst o Mogadishu. Delta Force snipers Master Sgts. Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart volunteered to protect the crew o downed helicopter Super Six Four and lost their lives doing so. Tey were each posthumously awarded the Medal o Honor, the first since the Vietnam War. War. A total o eighteen American soldiers were killed and seventy-three were wounded in this action.

Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom Army Special Operations units saw requent rotations to the Middle East or training exercises and training assistance missions well beore combat operations began in Aghanistan and Iraq. Tis, and the extensive use o Special Operations early during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Aghanistan, has resulted in the standard US-made desert patches or Specia l Forces, Army Special Operations Command, and Special Operations Command Central

Somalia Army Rangers and Special Forces teams operated in Somalia rom 1992 to 1993, during the United Nations’ efforts to stabilize the country. In Somalia, ask Force Ranger consisted o Delta Force, the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 160th 160 th SOAR, Air Force special special tactics tac tics DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The DCU coat belonging to a Special Forces staff sergeant. Of interest here is the Special Forces tab sewn above the Special Forces patch, indicating the wearer is an actual Special Forces soldier and not a logistics or administrative soldier assigned to support Special Forces.

The DCU belonging to an SF officer with all patches and badges sewn directly to the coat. Note the Combat Infantryman’s Badge was earned in Vietnam and reflects a very long career in Special Forces. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

Not every SF mission called for standard uniforms: in 2001, an SF sergeant is part of a small team moving deep inside Afghanistan. Courtesy US Army

The SF sergeant seen in the previous Afghanistan photograph is now in more conventional uniform, and is seen here on the Iraq-Syrian border in 2003. Note the use of Velcro attachments for the SF patches on his left sleeve. Courtesy US Army


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units being relatively common. Tis is a bit counterintuitive, considering the small size o these organizations organizations relative to the rest o the Army. Actual uniorms worn by Special Oper ations are still a bit harder to find than the patches alone.

A theater-made theater-made patch worn by soldiers at the Iraqi Special Warfare Center and School in Baghdad. US Army Special Operations soldiers provided extensive training to Iraqi soldiers soldiers at this school. school.

Afghanistan Army Special Operations soldiers were in the oreront o the initial liberation o Aghanistan rom the aliban. Special operations soldiers serving as part o Joint Special Operations ask Force North (JSOF-N) assisted the Northern Alliance by providing significant command and control and other resources to Aghan rebels resisting the aliban in northern Aghanistan. wo Special Forces operational detachments were inserted into the mountains o northern Aghanistan in the first action o t he war that put “boots on the ground” and launched the ground campaign in Aghanistan. On October 19, 2001, a company-sized element o the 3rd Ranger Battalion conducted an airborne assault to seize “Objective Rhino Rh ino”” and other aliban targets in and around Kandahar, Aghanistan. Advised by US Army Special Forces and aided by American guided aerial bombing, humanitarian aid, and airdropped weapons and ammunition, the Northern Alliance and other anti-aliban orces gained the initiative. Tis continuous pressure by Special Forces and the Aghan militias—aided by intensive bombing—caused bombing—caused the aliban to retreat. 7 Aer the initial deeat o the aliban, Army Special Operations orces continued to play a large role in combat operations, conducting numerous raids to disrupt aliban and al-Qaeda targets and working closely with local Aghani military orces to interdict the enemy at the Pakistani border. border. Tey also served as advisors to the Aghan National Army (ANA). Special Forces ODAs even integrated indigenous Aghan orces into conventional operations, enhancing combat operations and building legitimacy or the fledgling Aghan government.8

These tan-colored Special Forces helmet patches were made for several of the groups and battalions and are quite intriguing. They were never worn, and why they were made is still shrouded in mystery. Many of them have the distinctive saw-toothed edge pattern observed on early 101st Airborne Division helmet patches, and there are several variations in base material color. These patches have also been observed in ACU and Multicam pattern, and very likely were made for collectors.

Iraq In the initial stages o Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Army’s SOF significantly influenced influence d successul coalition combat operations. SOF PSYOPs PSYOPs teams used their talents to influence the Iraqi population well beore the ground offensive began: Special Operations attack helicopter teams knocked out border observation posts in advance o the main attack and Special Forces reconnaissance teams watched key terrain critical to the success o advancing conventional orces. Special operations signalers provided theater-wide communications support, while SOF combat service support orces built base camps and ensured uninterrupted supply o SOF troops. In 2003, the 3rd Ranger Battalion conducted the first airborne assault into Iraq, a night operation where the Rangers jumped at 500 eet onto “Objective Serpent” and seized “H-1” airfield to establish a orward operating base in western Iraq. Te orces that assaulted and captured the critical Haditha Dam deployed rom this site. Civil affairs DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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teams supported numerous reconstruction projects immediately afer combat

operations, including keeping the electricity flowing at the Haditha Dam.9 Special operation orces were instrumental in initially gaining control o the sparsely populated but restive

A made-for-collectors patch for Special Operationss Command - Africa Operation (SOCAFRICA). SOCAFRICA was established in 2008, after the desert uniform period.

Anbar Province, which makes o up most o Iraq’s western territory, and they trained and advised Iraqi orces aer the invasion. Te total collapse o Saddam’s military and police le a void in security orces so vast that the scale o the mission ar exceeded even these highly trained soldiers’ capabilities. Conventional orces had to improvise and take on much o what was traditionally the Special Operations mission o training, equipping, and ad vising an entirely new body o police and milimili10 tary orces in Iraq. As o this publication date, a total o eighty-two Special Forces operators, Rangers, and Special Operations aviators were killed in action in OEF and OIF. OIF.

Sometimes the finest theater-made embroidery was never meant for public display. In this case, the beret belonging to an SF officer during Desert Storm has been turned inside out, revealing intricate work of a soldier’s personal and unit information. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra


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CHA PT ER 9

The Army National Guard

Te Army National Guard is the oldest organized military orce in the United States. Its origin dates to December 13, 1636, when the first militia regiment was established in Salem, Massachusetts. Since then, the guard has served with distinction in every major conflict in US history, and the desert uniorm period was no exception. Between 1990 and 2006, over 220,000 National Guardsmen served in Aghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait during the three major conflicts in the Middle East. Over 480 48 0 members o the Army National Guard had died in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom at the time this book was wr itten. Te patches in this chapter represent the fify states, three territories, and the District o Columbia—which make up the Army National Guard—as well as National Guard unique units. Te air National Guard is discussed in chapter 13, which covers the Air Force. All 54 states and territories have desert patches, and some have had multiple versions over the years. Tey are oen simply reerred to as “National Guard” or “state” “state” patches. At the b eginning o the desert period, the official designation o this organization was State Area Command C ommand (SARC). (SARC). In 2003, the designation was changed to Army National Guard Element, Joint Forces Headquarters. For example, the National Guard headquarters in Massachusetts was called the Joint Force Headquarters - Massachusetts (JFHQMA) aer 2003. Tese headquarters had command o all military orces in the state, including Army, Air Force, and state deense orces (which only operate within the state and cannot be ederal ized).

Te SARC/JFHQ oversaw the training and mobilization mobilization o state units or active ederal s ervice. Army National Guard units within each who were not authorized their own distinctive patch wore the SARC/JFHQ patch.1 Desert uniorms un iorms with the SARC/JFHQ patch are somewhat uncommon on the DBDU and DCU. Tis may be due to a ew actors: first, i the unit was assigned to a brigade or larger ormation it wore the patch authorized or that brigade, division, etc. Other units, once mobilized, were assigned to active duty commands. For example, soldiers who served in a truck company or quartermaster water purification detachment supporting the 82nd Airborne Division may have ound it more prestigious to wear the 82nd’s patch rather than their SARC SARC or JFHQ patch. In other cases cas es units proudly wore their state patch on the le sleeve while displaying the combat patch o the unit they were attached or assigned to on their right sleeve.

Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Operations Desert Shield/Desert Shield/Deser t Storm in 1990–91 saw the largest mobilization o the National Guard since the Korean War, and the first major combat mobilization o the guard since 1968. Unlike the Vietnam War, reserve component soldiers were heavily relied on during this conflict. Around a quarter o all US military personnel on active duty during this period were rom the National Guard or the reserves. Te National Guard ederalized 398 units or this

A recruiting banner designed to attract potential soldiers to service in the National Guard. Of particular interest here is the soldier in DBDUs with woodland subdued patches. Conspicuous by its absence is a DCU uniform, perhaps reflecting the very short period of its existence as an Army field uniform.Courtesy uniform.Courtesy US Army DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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An Indiana Army National Guard sergeant poses during Desert Storm near one of the prisoner of war compounds in the rear area of the 101st Airborne Division sector. Courtesy Indiana Army National Guard

conflict, and Alabama’ Alabama’s 1241st Adjutant Adjutant General Company (Postal) was the first Guard unit mobilized. Alabama would provide more units than any other state or territory during Desert Shield/Dese rt Storm. Colorado’s 1158th ransportation Detachment (Movement Control) was the first guard to arrive in Saudi Arabia. Nearly 62,000 National Guardsmen Guardsmen were ederalized, and by the end o war, over 42,000 o these (37,000 Army and 5,240 Air Force) had deployed to Southwest Asia. No Army National Guard soldier died in combat during Desert Storm. 2 Te National Guard units that served in Operation Desert Storm were largely noncombat ormations. Military police, transportation, quartermaster, maintenance, public affairs, and engineer units had the largest representation. Tese units were overwhelmingly company and detachment-sized. Te guard also provided numerous individual augmentees. Several National Guard combat brigades were mobilized and trained t rained stateside, but were not called up to serve in combat in Kuwait Kuwait and Iraq. Tis was the first time in US history a war was ought without a single National Guard inantry or armor unit taking part. Tese brigades did not have the opportunity to prove themselves in combat until twelve years later in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over sixty battalion and brigade-sized units deployed to Southwest Asia; among them, the 142nd and 196th Field Artillery Brigades were the only two major Army guard combat units to fight in the war. 3

An Arizona National Guard lieutenant from the 855th Military Police Company searches a man near Fallujah, Iraq, on August 27, 2003. Note his MP brassard with the Arizona patch and Arabic text. Courtesy US Army

A Missouri National Guard Military Policeman provides security in a Baghdad neighborhood on May 18, 2003. Note his MP brassard has the Missouri Army National Guard patch. Courtesy US Army

Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom In the our years between 2002—when the first National Guard unit was ederalized—to the end o the desert era in 2006, over 180,000 National Guardsmen deployed to Aghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Tis was over our times the number o guardsmen that ser ved in Desert Storm a decade earlier. Te majority (112,000) served in Iraq, ollowed by 51,000 that served in Kuwait. Service in Kuwait The Army National Guard

was not necessarily a cushy and sae rear-area job. Tousands o soldiers stationed in Kuwait endured requent long-distance convoy missions into the most dangerous parts o Iraq, enduring improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and many other threats. Only around 19,600 guardsmen served in Aghanistan during this period o the war, so a DCU uniorm identified to a guardsman who served in 180


Aghanistan would be harder to find than a comparable Iraqi Freedom uniorm. Te first major National Guard unit mobilized during Operation Enduring Freedom in Aghanistan was North Carolina’s 211th Military Police Company in early January 2002. Like many others, this unit saw several deployments to the Middle East. Te 211th had seen service ser vice in Desert Storm and would deploy to Iraq in 2003, and again to Aghanistan in 2013, aer the des ert uniorm period. Te first Army National Guardsmen to die as a result o hostile fire in Aghanistan were Staff Sgt. Craig W. Cherry and Sgt. Bobby E. Beasley o the Virginia Army National Guard’s Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Inantry Regiment in Ghazikel, Aghanistan, on August 7, 2004. Tey died less than a month aer arriving in Aghanistan.4

A Pennsylvania Army National Guardsman assigned to the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment carries an unexploded artillery shell to a designated area for controlled destruction. Courtesy US Army

North Dakota Army National Guardsmen from the 142nd Engineer Combat Battalion (HVY) check the identity papers of an Iraqi woman in Baghdad on May 18, 2003, as part of “Operation Neighborhood.” Courtesy US Army

Even beore the beginning o Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 18, 2003, National Guard units were being mobilized and deployed to Kuwait Kuwait in support o Operation Desert Des ert Spring. Desert Spring began on December 31, 1998, as a reinorcement o Kuwait due to increasing tensions with Iraq. Tis orward presence also ormed the staging grounds or orces that would eventually participate in the invasion o Iraq in 2003. Te first major National Guard unit to mobilize in support o Operation Desert Spring was part o the Caliornia National Guard’s Company B, 1st Battalion, 160th Inantry Regiment in January 2002. wo years later, Company B deployed again to serve under the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, conducting convoy security in Iraq and earned a Meritorious Unit Unit Commendation or their support o the 1st Cavalry Division. 5 In January 2003, the first major guard unit to mobilize in support o Operation Iraqi Freedom was the District o Columbia’s 547th ransportation Company C ompany,, a light-medium truck t ruck unit. Te first fi rst Army guardsman to die in Iraq due to hostile fire was Specialist Richard P. Orengo on June 26, 2003, while assigned to the 755th Military Police Company o the Puerto Rico National Guard.6 o learn more about which specific National Guard units deployed see the National Guard’s history o Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Mobi Storm, Mobilizing lizing for for the Storm (2001), Storm (2001), or guard units that were ederalized and served in the Gul during this conflict. For inormation on later deployments, consult the Department o Deense’s listings o National Guard and Reserve Units Called to DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

A young Indiana Army National Guard sergeant poses in front of a graffiti-covered Iraqi fighter plane at Camp Anaconda. Note he is wearing one of the early version DCUs with the unpopular wide collars. Courtesy Indiana Army National Guard 181


Active Duty (www.deense.gov) (www.deense.gov) as the source or guard units that served in Operation Oper ation Enduring Freedom in Aghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, and in Kuwait Kuwait rom 2002–2006. 7 In the 1960s and ’70s, guardsmen were oen disparagingly reerred to as “weekend warriors.” By the end o the desert period, this term had all but disappeared rom the Army lexicon; the guard’s ull partnership with the active Army on Southwest Asian battlefields brought ull equality and respect.

The Army National Guard State Headquarters for Alabama patch displaying a fully blooming cotton plant with a theater-made example on the right. The patch patch was approved approved in 1948. 1948. Courtesy Vance Zemke The extremely rare Virgin Islands National Guard woodland pattern patch being worn by a soldier attached to the 205th Engineer Battalion at Kandahar Army Airfield, Afghanistan, in September 2003. Courtesy US Army This commercially made patch for the Alaska Alaska Army National National Guard State Headquarters displays the stars of the “Big Dipper” to represent the northernmost state in the union. union. The patch patch was approved approved in 1954, almost five years before Alaska officially became the forty-ninth state.

A sergeant of the Virginia Army National Guard provides basic dental hygiene training to a small boy. Courtesy Virginia Army National Guard


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The Arizona Army National Guard State Headquarters patch with the new design authorized in 1988 (left) and the original design approved in 1956 (right). Below them is a theater-made theater -made version. version. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The Arkansas Army National Guard State Headquarters has a diamond-shaped patch signifying it is the only diamondbearing state. The twenty-five stars on the border show it was the twentyfifth state admitted to the union. The wild hog (razorback) is native to the Arkansas wilderness. The patch was approved in 1952.

A California Army National Guard State Headquarters patch with several layers of symbolic meaning, including the sun for the Golden State and the grizzly bear that was on the flag of the California California Republic. Republic. The patch patch was approved in 1952. The theatermade version is on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The patch for the Colorado Army National Guard State Headquarters is taken from the Colorado state flag and was approved in 1955. Two distinctively different theater-made theater -made versions versions are on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The patch for the state headquarters of the Connecticut Army National Guard was approved in 1949, and displays a grapevine that appeared as the device of Connecticut as early as 1759. A theater-made version is on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The District of Columbia Army National Guard patch approved in 1948 contains an image of the national Capitol building. Originally the DC National Guard was included in the 29th Division with the guard units from Virginia, New Jersey, and Maryland.


The Delaware Army National Guard State Headquarters patch approved in 1948 contains an image of a mythical griffin. This is the heraldic device of Lord De la Warre, for whom the Delaware River, Delaware Bay, the colony of Delaware, and the State of Delaware were named.

The patch for the Florida Army National Guard State Headquarters reflects the state’s early origins with the outline of the Spanish fort “Castillo de Marcos.” The theater-made version is on the right. The patch was approved in 1949. Courtesy Vance Zemke

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The patch for the Georgia Army National Guard State Headquarters was approved in 1970, and depicts a boar’s head with an oak branch in its mouth. A theater-made theater -made example example is displayed on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The patch for the Guam Army National Guard State Headquarters is unique, in that it portrays portrays an idyllic idyllic Pacific Island scene—a view that is also found on the Territorial Great Seal of Guam. The patch was approved in 1981. The patch for the Hawaii Army National Guard State Headquarters reflects its heritage by displaying the head of Hawaiian king Kamehameha I with his feathered helmet. This patch was approved in 1949, ten years before Hawaii became the fiftieth state.

The Idaho Army National Guard State Headquarters patch displays an elk’s head with a large rack of antlers taken from the crest that appeared on the first territorial seal of Idaho. The patch was approved in 1975.


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The patch for the Illinois Army National Guard State Headquarters was approved in 1949, and shows the silhouette of Abraham Lincoln, reflecting the state’s nickname, the “Land of Lincoln.” Shown here are an authorized version of their patch (left) and a theater-made variation from a souvenir banner. Courtesy Paul Madden

The patch for the Indiana Army National Guard State Headquarters, with design elements taken from the Indiana state flag. The large star represents the state and the patch was approved in 1949.

The Iowa Army National Guard State Headquarters patch displays a hawk’s head—symbol of the “hawkeye” state. The shape of the insignia references the 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division. The patch was approved in 1968. Courtesy Paul Madden


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A sunflower—the official flower of the state of Kansas—is the center of the Kansas Army National Guard State Headquarters shoulder patch. The patch was approved in 1951.

The late-model, small collar DCU coat of a Kansas National Guard private first class serving in one of the units assigned to Kansas State Headquarters.

A representation of a “Kentucky long rifle”—inseparably associated with the early history of Kentucky—forms the center of the patch of the Kentucky Army National Guard State Headquarters, which was approved in 1973. The theater-made theater -made version is on the right. right. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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The image of a pelican in her nest with three young chicks has long been the official crest of Louisiana Army National Guard units. Shown here are two authorized versions and below them are two theater-made variations of the patch approved in 1969 for soldiers assigned to the state headquarters. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The pine tree has long been a part of Maine National Guard unit heraldry. Approved in 1949 for the Maine Army National Guard State Headquarters, the patch retains the tree in the center center overlaying a blazing sun. A theater-made version is shown on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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A red and white cross referred to in heraldic terms as a “cross bottony per cross quartered” has long represented Maryland Army National Guard units. It is also used on the Maryland State Headquarters authorized patch (left) and a theater-made (right). The patch was approved in 1949.

The shoulder patch for the Massachusetts Army National Guard State Headquarters was approved in 1950, and depicts an arm grasping a broadsword centered in a pentagon. The theater-made version is on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The Army National Guard State Headquarters for Michigan features a griffin, the symbol of vigilance and readiness. Shown here are an authorized version (left) and a very nice theatermade version (right). The patch was approved in 1949.


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Reflecting Minnesota’s nickname the “North Star State,” their Army National Guard State Headquarters patch approved in 1970 contains this symbol.

The patch for the Mississippi Army National Guard State Headquarters includes an image of a magnolia in full flower with a trident. This combination has long served as the crest for the Mississippi Army National Guard coat of arms. The patch was approved in 1960.

The Missouri Army National Guard State Headquarters patch, approved in 1949, contains the image of a standing grizzly bear taken from the the state seal. seal. A commercially commercially made version is on the left and a theater-made variation is on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The patch for the Montana Army National Guard State Headquarters was approved in 1952, and its design elements were taken from the Montana Montana state seal, reflecting the scenic and mountainous terrain of the the state. The theater-made theater -made version version is on the right. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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The Nebraska Army National Guard State Headquarters patch displays an ear of partially husked corn representing the “Cornhusker” state. Shown here are (left to right) authorized, commercial, and theater-made examples. The patch was approved in 1950. Courtesy Paul Madden

The authorized patch for the New Hampshire Army National Guard State Headquarters was approved in 1956. It has nine stars, representing representi ng New Hampshire as the ninth state to ratify ratify the Constitution. The bundle of five arrows represents the state’s five counties. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The patch for the Nevada Army National Guard State Headquarters was approved in 1952, and is in the shape of the state, with a star centered in a wreath of sagebrush. Shown here are an authorized version on (left) and a theater-made example from a presentation banner. Courtesy Paul Madden


The patch for the New Jersey Army National Guard State Headquarters approved in 1955 displays a lion’s head. This is the heraldic design for the crest on New Jersey Guard units’ coat of arms.

The patch for the New Mexico Army National Guard State Headquarters uses a Zia sun symbol, the state’s official emblem. Shown here are an authorized version on the left and a theater-made example on the right. The patch was approved in 1975.

The spiked crown of the Statue of Liberty overlaying a sword represents the New York York Army National National Guard State Headquarters. Shown here are an authorized version on the left and a theater-made example on the right. This patch was approved in 1994.


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The heraldic symbol for North Carolina Army National Guard units, the image of a hornet and its nest are portrayed on the State Headquarters patch. Shown here (left to right) are authorized, commercial, and theater-made examples. The patch was approved in 1953.

The North Dakota Army National Guard State Headquarters patch retains the bow with three arrows that is on the crest of the coat of arms belonging to North Dakota National Guard. The theater-made version is on the right. The patch was approved in 1950. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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The shoulder patch for the Ohio Army National Guard State Headquarters, approved in 1948, is representative of the Ohio flag. It uses the same “buckeye” red and white concentric circles that the 37th Division uses and takes the outer shape shape from the patch of the 83rd Division, Division, a National National Army division division raised in Ohio in 1917. A theater-made version is on the right.

The shoulder patch for the Oklahoma Army National Guard State Headquarters reflects the state’s history with an image of a Native American. The patch was approved in 1952.

The late-model, small collar, DCU coat belonging to an Air Defense Artillery Corps Ohio National Guard officer with prior combat service as an infantryman.


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These two patches from the Oregon Army National Guard State Headquarters provide almost a complete mirror image of each other. On the left is the authorized patch and the theater-made version is on the right. The sun symbolizes the West Coast; the Pacific Pacific Ocean and and Columbia River are represented in the wavy bar, while the bayonets emphasize combat readiness. All are topped off by Mount Hood’s profile. This patch was approved in 1990.

Reflecting the state’s nickname the “Keystone “Keystone State,” State,” the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Army National Guard uses that symbol with the state coat of arms arms in the center for soldiers assigned to the state headquarters. The patch was approved in 1948. Reflecting the Spanish origin and heritage of Puerto Rico, the shoulder patch for the Army National Guard state headquarters (approved in 1967) features a cross and towers, alluding to the Spanish discovery and settlement of Puerto Rico. On the left is an authorized version of their patch, patch, with a theater theater-made -made example example in the center center and a “state guard” patch on the right.


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Reflecting the state’s longtime maritime heritage, the shoulder shoulder patch for the Rhode Rhode Island Army National Guard State Headquarters (approved in 1993) combines an anchor and a sword. Here are two variations variations of the authorized patch with with different colored borders.

The shoulder patch for the South Carolina Army National Guard State Headquarters retains the longtime symbols of the state’s military units: a palmetto tree and a crescent moon. Shown here are an authorized version (left) and a theater-made example (right). The patch was approved in 1952.

Late-model DCU coat belonging to a soldier assigned to one of the units subordinate to the South Dakota Army National Guard State Headquarters.

The South Dakota Army National Guard State Headquarters units wear a patch with the image of a coyote, an animal native to South Dakota. The theater-made theater -made version version is on the right. The patch patch was approved approved in 1951. Courtesy Vance Zemke The Army National Guard

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The shoulder patch for the Tennessee Army National Guard State Headquarters (approved in 1950) displays a hickory tree, referring to Andrew Jackson, who was known as “Old Hickory.” The three white stars allude to the three areas of the the state: East, Middle, and West Tennessee. An authorized version is on the left and a theater-made theater -made example example is on the the right.

Shown here are two variations of the Texas Army National Guard State Headquarters patch, which was approved in 1955. The example on the left retains the traditional Texas military coat of arms crest with a garland of oak and olive branches surrounding a single star. On the right is is the much simpler “T” for the Texas State Guard. A theater-made theater -made version version is shown below. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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Perhaps one of the more modern looking state headquarters shoulder patches: a militiaman representing a member of the Mormon battalion— battalion—a a predecessor predecessor of the present unit—stands in front of a symbolic outline of the state of Utah. A theater-made version is on the right. The The patch was approved approved in 1956. Courtesy Vance Zemke

The Vermont Army National Guard State Headquarters patch approved in 1952 uses the “tri-cornered” hat of the Green Mountain Boys to represent the long military heritage of the state. That unit was formed in 1764, and wore a sprig of pine in their hats. The patch for the Virgin Islands Army National Guard Headquarters (approved in 1974) shows symbolic renditions of three lush green islands islands under a blazing Caribbean sun. The three triangles refer to the principal principal islands islands St. Thomas, Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.

The spear breaking the chains is symbolic of the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis” (“Thus Always to Tyrants”) found on Virginia’s state flag. The patch was approved in 1956.

The late-model DCU coat belonging to an adjutant general corps captain in one of the Virginia Army National Guard units assigned to the state headquarters. Courtesy Virginia Army National Guard The Army National Guard

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The authorized version of the Washington State Army National Guard State Headquarters (left); a reversed version intended for wear on the right sleeve, indicating combat service (center), and a theater-made variation (right). The raven standing on a crown was taken from the crest of the coat of arms of George Washington, the state’s namesake. The patch was approved in 1952. Courtesy Vance Zemke

Late model DCU coat with a woodland pattern patch belonging to a West Virginia Army National Guard sergeant.

In time, desert pattern patches became available and the State Headquarters of the West Virginia Army National Guard still carried the image of a pioneer’ pioneer’ss ax and long rifle on their patch. Shown here are the authorized version (left) and a theater-made example (right). The patch was approved in 1950.


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An authorized version (left) and a commercially made variation of the Wisconsin Army National Guard State Headquarters patch (approved in 1952) with the state’s iconic symbol, the badger.

The shoulder patch for the Army National Guard Operational Support Airlift Command; a unit comprised of active Army and Army National Guard personnel and assigned fixed wing aircraft. The patch was originally approved for the Army Operationall Support Airlift Operationa Command in 1992, then was redesignated for the Army National Guard Operational Support Airlift Command in 1994.

Michigan Army National Guard soldiers assigned to the 156th Signal Battalion receive the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, recognizing their service overseas. Courtesy US Army

The Wyoming Army National Guard State Headquarters and its subordinate units wear a patch (approved in 1953) that reflects the state’s western heritage. It depicts a cowboy on a galloping horse, the well-known symbol of Wyoming. The theater-made theater -made version version is below. below. Courtesy Vance Zemke


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CHAPTER 10

The Army Reserve

Te Army Reserve had a modest beginning when it was established Te Army put modest requirements on the Army Reserve during on April 23, 1908, to provide provide medical reser ve corps officers needed the Vietnam War: only orty-two reserve units were mobilized or to overcome the serious shortage o physicians experienced by the service in 1968, 196 8, totaling 5,869 soldiers. O that t hat number, number, thirty-five units actually served in Vietnam. Te majority o the reserve units that US Army during the Spanish-American War. As a result o increased border tensions with Mexico, the US Senate passed the National deployed to Vietnam were either transportation or medical organizations.2 Deense Act o 1916, which urther expanded the role o the Army Te end o the Vietnam War War also saw the end o the dra and Reserve into a trained ederal reser ve orce o officers and soldiers the introduction o the all-volunteer Army. Army. As a result, the size o the Army Reserve decreased substantially. By the 1980s, the affiliation and codified the privately organized “Plattsburg” “Plattsburg” reserve training o the Army Reserve with the active ac tive Army was expanded to include camps that were already in existence. From this point on, the reser ve and the individual state National Guards were to augment the every reserve unit in what was called the CAPSONE program. Te intent was to align reserve units with the active unit with which regular Army in time o crisis, thereby t hereby reducing the need to maintain a large standing active Army in peacetime. Te two world wars and the Korean War all saw a rapid expansion o the Army Reserve to meet critical cr itical wartime requirements. Famous One of the harder to find desert version patches, this US Army Reserve Command Army reservists during this period included the two-headed two-heade d eagle patch patch reflects reflects the WWI Ace Eddie Rickenbacker; uture president dual role its members play: soldier Harry ruman ruman (who also served in the t he Missouri and citizen. The US Army Reserve National Guard); Charles Lindbergh, who Command (USARC) was at Fort conducted the first solo flight across the McPherson, Georgia, until 2011, then at Fort Fort Bragg, North North Atlantic Ocean; and Maj. Gen. William Carolina. USARC commanded all “Wild Bill” Donovan, also a ormer National Army Reserve conventional Guardsman, Medal o Honor recipient, forces, some 190,000 Army and ounder o the WWII OSS. Te Cold Reserve soldiers, and 10,000 War saw large numbers o reservists civilians. Its units were primarily combat support and mobilized to active duty in i n 1961, in response combat service support. The to the building o the Berlin Wall by the patch was authorized in 1997. 1 Eastern Bloc. In the late 1960s, the role o the Army Reserve changed again; the structure o the reserve was modified to ocus more on combat support and combat service support units that would round out active Army units. It would retain thirteen training divisions. By 1968, this trend led to the establishment o nineteen Army Reserve Commands (ARCOMS) commanded by The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) is a part of the reserve component and consists of former active two-star generals that would provide duty or reserve military personnel who may be regional oversight o the training and recalled to duty. Shown here is the standard mobilization o these support units. Tese authorized patch approved in 1980 for IRR ARCOMS, serving as regional commands, members who have not been assigned to a allowed the Army to eliminate several specific unit. Members of the IRR were called upon in large numbers to support corps headquarters. Tese same ARCOMs operations in Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF. would later be called upon during the The triangular shape recalls the tricorn desert period to mobilize hundreds o hat of colonial times and symbolizes units or service in Southwest Asia. individual readiness. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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This patch was authorized in 2005 for the Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The MIRC was established as the Army Reserve’s first functional command and provided operational intelligence support to nearly every national intelligence agency and combatant command. The MIRC had over 6,300 soldiers in forty units across the continental US, Hawaii, and Europe.

The US Army Reserve Readiness Command (RRC) was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Its patch was originally approved in 1998. That organization was redesignated the US Army Reserve Joint and Special Troops Support Command in 2009, and appears to have no longer worn this patch at that point.

Desert Storm It had been twenty years since the previous major mobilization mobilization o reservists or Vietnam. For Desert Storm, the Army mobilized 84,000 Army reservists in 650 units. It was the largest call up o reservists since the Korean War. Over 35,000 deployed to Southwest Asia, while the remainder provided critical support in the United States and elsewhere in the world.6 Te Army Reserve made major contributions to the war while supporting a massive deployment o combat units and later enabling the t he success o the “Hundred-Hour War” and subsequent subse quent liberation o Kuwait. Reservists were among the first to deploy and the last to leave, spending months in theater aer the war ended preparing supplies and equipment or retrograde. During Desert Storm, the Army Ar my Reserve provided 94% o the civil affairs units, 89% o the military p olice POW units, 69% o postal units, 65% o quartermaster petroleum and water units, and 63% o psychological warare units. Reserve medical units were especially in demand and almost a quarter o the Army Reserve medical orce was activated.7

The desert patch for the Army Reserve Medical Command (AR-MEDCOM) in Pinellas Park, Florida. It provided trained medical corps reservists and reserve units for contingency operations across the spectrum spectrum of Army missions, including OEF and OIF. The command had over 10,000 soldiers in fifty medical units. It provided 70% of hospitals and 67% of medical groups in the Army. The patch was approved in 2005.

they would likely be deployed and build habitual relationships or training and missions. 3 In October 1990, the United States Army Reserve Command C ommand (USARC) was established to provide or more more centralized management o the combat readiness o Army Reser ve units.4 In this new role, USARC had the well-defined mission to:

A crude example of a theater-made 7th Army theater-made Army Reserve Command (7th ARCOM) patch. This unit was in Heidelberg Heidelberg,, Germany 1986–2009, and its members augmented Army units in Europe. Soldiers of the 7th deployed for Desert Storm. It also deployed nineteen of its twenty-three twenty-thre e units and and more than 450 soldiers in support of OIF and OEF in 2003. It was redesignated the 7th Civil Support Command in 2009 with a different patch. Courtesy Vance Zemke

provide trained and ready units and individuals to mobilize and deploy in support o the national military strategy. USARC is responsible or all o the operational tasks involved in training, equipping, managing, supporting, mobilizing, and retaining soldiers under its command. USARC is comprised o over twenty offices, each with an individual mission and unction that contributes to the accomplishment accomplishment o USARC’s USARC’s overall mission.5 The Army Reserve

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The 9th Regional Readiness Command provided trained and ready Army Reserve forces for overseas operations. It had approximately 3,500 reservists serving throughout the Pacific, including Hawaii, Alaska, American Samoa, Japan, Korea, Guam, and Saipan. This patch was approved for IX Corps in 1922. IX Corps played very little role in Desert Storm and was redesignated the Army Reserve’s 9th Regional Support Command (RSC) in 1998, when it moved from Japan to Hawaii. It was renamed the 9th RRC in 2002, and then as the 9th Mission Mission Support Support Command in 2008.

If there were a contest for a unit with the most name changes, we believe the winner would be this one at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. Its mission was to provide trained and ready Army Reserve units in the Caribbean. Soldiers from this command—including two mortuary affairs companies—ha companies—have ve deployed deployed to OIF and and OEF. The patch was originally approved for the Antilles Department in 1942. It was authorized for the 7581st Army Reserve Garrison 1981–90, US Army Reserve Forces Puerto Rico 1990–92, 65th Army Reserve Command 1992–98, 65th RSC 1998–2003, and 166th Support Group 2003–2007, then redesignated as the 1st Mission Support Command in 2008.

soldiers and suffered orty-three wounded. Eighty-one percent o the unit’s unit’s sixty-nine soldiers were killed or wounded. Fort Lee—home o the Army Quartermaster Corps—maintains a memorial in memory o these allen quartermasters, and one o the major physical fitness acilities on post is named in honor o one o those killed during the Iraqi rocket attack.

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom

The 63rd Regional Readiness Command was an Army Reserve unit in Los Alamitos, California. With history and linage dating back to the 63rd Infantry Division, it was composed of units from the Western and Southwestern United States. Over a dozen of its subordinate units deployed for Desert Storm. Soldiers from the 63rd RRC served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Shown are an authorized and theatermade version of their patch. The patch was originally approved for the 63rd Infantry Division in 1943, the 63rd Army Reserve Command 1968–96, and the 63rd RSC 1997–2003.

Tree days aer the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush ordered a partial mobilization o reserve orces named Operation Noble Eagle. Under this order reservists could serve up to two years on active duty. Since this initial order, the Army Reserve has mobilized over 210,000 soldiers or service in the global war on terrorism. Due to this increased demand over a number o years, the Army Reserve’ Rese rve’ss role has shied rom a strategic strate gic reserve orce to an operational orce orce being used on an ongoing basis. Te Army called up reserve component units or 16–18 months during the desert uniorm period. perio d. Tis allowed the unit our months o pre-deployment training, twelve months o service in Iraq or Aghanistan, and time or post-deployment leave and demobilization upon return to the US.8 In the two years aer the initial invasion o Iraq, the US Ar my became increasingly dependent on the Army Reserve to provide critical support units or transportation, supply, maintenance, engineering, military police, and other support. By 2005, nearly

Te 14th Quartermaster Detachment—a USAR water purification unit rom Greensburg, Pennsylvania, that had been in Saudi Arabia only six days—suffered the greatest number o casualties o any allied unit during Operation Desert Storm. On February 25, 1991, parts o an Iraqi SCUD missile destroyed the barracks housing members o the 14th. In the single-most devastating attack on US orces during that war, twenty-eight soldiers died and ninety-nine were wounded. Te 14th Quartermaster Detachment lost thir teen DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The Army Reserve

The 70th Regional Readiness Command was at Fort Lawton, Washington. Here are two very different variations of the 70th patch. The patch was authorized for the 70th Division in 1943, 70th RSC 1996–2003, 70th RRC 2003–2007, and the 70th Training Division (Functional Training) in 2007, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Units of the 70th have served in OIF.

The 79th Army Reserve Command was in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The shoulder patch of the 79th reflects its WWI heritage through its its use of the the Cross of Lorraine. Lorraine. The The patch was authorized for the 79th Division in 1918, 79th Command Headquarters (Divisional) 1963–1968, 79th Army Reserve Command 1968–2009, and the 79th Army Reserve Sustainment Support Command in 2009, in Los Alamitos, California.

Two variations of the 75th Training Command patch, a USAR organization that was based based in Houston, Houston, Texas. Texas. These These two examples examples show significant significant difference in size and coloring. The patch was authorized for the 75th Division in 1943, 75th Maneuver Area Command 1973–1993, 75th Division (Exercise) 1993–1999, and the 75th Division (Training Support) 1999–2008. Units of the 75th have served in OIF and OEF.

22,000 Army Reserve soldiers were serving in Iraq and 78 reservists had lost their lives in the conflict.9 Te increased reliance on reserves was deliberate, designed to allow active duty units to refit and reorganize beore rotating back to Iraq. Few reservists would participate in i n Operation Enduring Freedom in Aghanistan during the desert uniorm years, but reservists were critical, providing individual augmentees who offered active duty units technical expertise in a wide variety o proessions. For example, the Combined Force Command - Aghanistan (CFC-A) had a staff o nearly

The Army Reserve

400 officers, many o whom came rom the individual ready reserve (IRR). CFC-A also depended on the US Army Reserve to provide technical expertise or provisional reconstruction teams (PRs) (PRs) when the US State Department could not fill the required positions. 10 From its humble beginning o less than 200 medical proessionals in 1908, the Army Reserve has grown to over 205,000 soldiers. Army reservists rom thousands o communities throughout the nation donned the DBDU and DCU, DCU, and served ser ved with dedication and distinction, providing key support to combat operations in Iraq and Aghanistan.

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The early-version DCU coat for a sergeant major assigned to the 81st Regional Readiness Command. The “Wildcats” of the 81st Division are commonly believed to be the first US Army unit to wear a shoulder patch into combat in WWI.

Another early, wide-collar DCU coat, this time with the “Wildcat” patch of the 81st RRC. This quartermaster officer displays a Ranger Ranger Tab and and Parachute Badge, and was most likely assigned to the command’s command’s 824th Quartermaster Company (Light Airdrop), which provided rigger support to Iraq and Afghanistan from Ballad, Iraq, and later Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

An interesting array of 81st patches, including a high-quality theater-made version on the far right. The unit’s patch was approved on October 19, 1918, for the 81st Division, 81st ARC 1968–1996, 81st RSC 1996–2003, and the 81st RRC 2003–2008. Units from the 81st have served in OIF and OEF.

The 86th Army Reserve Command was originally in Forest Park, Illinois. The 86th’s shoulder patch also reflects a WWI national Army division. Among its members during that period was an officer who would later name his National Hockey League team the Chicago Black Hawks in its honor. The unit’s patch was originally approved for the 86th Division in 1918, and then the 86th Army Reserve Command 1968–2010.


The patch for the 83rd Army Reserve Command originally stationed at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and after 2011 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Looking carefully at the patch, patch, it is easy easy to see “Ohio” spelled out, reflecting the unit’s WWI origin, including its 1918 approval date. The patch was later used by the 83rd Infantry Division 1966–68 and the 83rd Army Reserve Command 1968–2013.

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The Army Reserve

The 88th Regional Readiness Command, originally at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, retained the uniquely shaped patch used by the 88th Division in both world wars. The four leaf clover represents the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois—the states from which soldiers of the division originally came. On the left is the authorized version and on the right, a theater-made theater -made patch patch that is significant significantly ly larger. The patch was originally approved for the 88th Division in 1918, 88th RSC 1966–2003, 88th RRC 2003–2008, and since 2008, the 88th RSC at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.

For comparison; an authorized version of the 94th Regional Readiness Command shoulder patch on the left and a theater-made version on the right. For most of its existence the 94th was at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The patch was authorized for the 94th Division Division in 1922. 1922. An alternate design of this patch featuring the profile of a Puritan was worn for many years, but was not produced in desert colors. The 94th served as an RRC 2003–2009.

The 97th Army Reserve Command at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, was authorized this shoulder patch. During Desert Storm more than 3,000 logistics and support soldiers from the 97th were were activated activated for service service in Saudi Arabia, including some of the first water purification units deployed. The patch was authorized for the 97th Division in 1922 and the 97th Army Reserve Command 1968–2010.

The Army Reserve

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The 99th Regional Readiness Command was in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. For comparison, an authorized and a theater-made version (right) of the 99th’s desert-colored patch. The patch was originally authorized for the 99th Division in 1923, 99th Army Reserve Command 1968–1996, 99th RSC 1996– 2003, and 99th RRC 2003–2008.

Another theater-made version of the 99th’s patch; this version is sewn onto a banner reflecting a number of related units serving together in Iraq in 2004. Courtesy Paul Madden


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The Army Reserve

CHAPTER 11

Army Training Centers and Schools

bakers school, as well as a arrier school. As the Army expanded and became more mechanized and technical in the mid-nineteenth century industrial age, there was a need or centralized proessional schools to provide technical and administrative training or the Army’s numerous branches. In 1885, the School o Engineer Application was established at Willets Point, New York. Te Army Medical School was established established in Sternberg, Maryland, Maryland, in 1893, becoming the world’s world’s first school o public health healt h and preventive medicine. Te Quartermaster School was among the first Army technical schools, established at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot in 1910. Tis was ollowed a year later by the establishment o the School o Fire or Field Artillery in 1911 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Te two world wars saw the rapid r apid expansion o Army schools to train millions o citizen soldiers. Tese conflicts became increasingly mechanized, and by the end o WWI led to the replacement o the horse and mule, which had transported transporte d the Army or over 160 years. Tis modernization and mechanization required training or whole new fields o technicians to move, supply, and maintain complex communications, transportation, and aviation systems. Aer WWII, the transistor and the c omputer omputer revolutionized the way the Army Ar my did business and led to increased expansion into increasingly more technical training fields. In the decades aer the Vietnam War, the Army developed a world-class educational system to support the all-volunteer Army. Army. In the early 1970s, Army schools also took on new roles designing units, equipment, and developing doctrine. From 1982 until 1994, men and women were trained at separate locations. As a result o over 41,000 women deploying and serving in Desert Storm, women were rapidly integrated into most training, except combat c ombat arms jobs, rom which they were still excluded. Only recently have most o these restrictions been lied.

Te US Army’s Army’s proessional military militar y education program goes back to the Revolutionary War. Its oundation was established when Gen. Washington’ ashington’s Inspector General Barron Friedrich von Steuben wrote the Blue Book, which was the first standard manual or drills and maneuvers or the Continental Army. Von Steuben’s administrative brilliance in organization and training established standards and discipline that transormed a rag-tag group o militia into an increasingly disciplined Army. Army. His drill regulations continued to be used unchanged until 1814, and still orm the basis o today’s standards. Military students underwent ormal training in artillery and engineering engine ering at West Point, New York, York, as early as a s 1794. Te need nee d or a permanent school to train officers in these disciplines was recognized on March 16, 1802, when the United States Military Academy at West Point was ormally authorized by Congress. Tis premier officer training institution went on to educate many o the Army’s Army’s most amous leaders, such as Gens. Grant, Lee, Pershing, and Eisenhower. Many Many o the Army’s leaders during the desert uniorm period were US Military Academy graduates, including Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkop Jr Jr.,., who led the coalition orces in Operation Desert Storm; he graduated rom West Point in 1956. Gen. John Abizaid, commander commander o US Army Ce ntral Command in the e arly part o Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, was a 1973 graduate. 1 In 1838 a Cavalry School o Practice was established at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Later, in 1881, Gen. William . Sherman established the School o Application or Cavalry and Inantry at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Tat school evolved into the US Army Command and General Staff College, which educates, develops, and prepares Army majors or higher level tactical staffs and battalion command. By 1901, the US Army War College was established est ablished to provide graduate level instruction to Army lieutenant colonels and colonels in preparation or senior leadership assignments and responsibilities, including brigade command. For many years, much o Army training was conducted at local schools created at posts, camps, and stations to instruct soldiers in certain specific trades. For example, nearly every Army installation had their own cooks and Army Training Centers and Schools

The US Army Combined Arms Center (CAC) was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. It served as the focal point for professional training of of Army leadership leadership development development and military and civilian professional education. This is the authorized desert version of the CAC patch approved in 1955. 208


Te National raining raining Center (NC) at Fort Irwin, Caliornia, opened in 1982, and the Joint Readiness raining Center (JRC) opened in 1987 at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Te JRC was later moved to Fort Polk, Louisiana. Tese major training centers were established est ablished as the “Super Bowl” o training exercises and maneuver. maneuver. Tese were venues or hard, realistic training or armored, mechanized, and light inantry units that “ought” against a world-class Opposing Force (OPFOR) enemy. enemy. It was this superb school system that prepared a generation o leaders who led the US Army into battle through Desert Storm, OIF, and OEF.2 By the late 1980s, there were twenty-nine major schools and training/education-ocused organizations in the United States Army:

The US Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) was at Fort Lee, Virginia, and was the center for the Army’s logistics branches, including transportation, transportat ion, quartermaster quartermaster,, and ordnance; and the integrator of other combat sustainment functions, such as finance, personnel, chaplains, medical, and the Judge Judge Advocate Advocate General Corps. This patch was approved in 1981.

Leadership Army War War College – Carlisle, Pennsylvania Combined Arms Support Command – Fort L ee, Virginia Command and General Staff College C ollege – Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Sergeants Major Academy – Fort Bliss, exas United States Military Academy – West Point, New York

The US Army War War College was at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and provided graduate level education to senior military leaders that prepared them for increased responsibility and senior leadership positions. It was the Army’s equivalent of the Navy War College and the Air War College. The patch was approved in 1955.

Certainly a seldom seen combination, this DCU coat from a Quartermaster Corps lieutenant colonel has a CASCOM patch on its left sleeve. While almost all military personnel and many civilians assigned to CASCOM served served in Afghanistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, or Kuwait, Kuwait, at one point point in their their career very few did so while serving in this TRADOC organization.

The US Army Sergeants Major Academy was at Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas. The academy was responsible for preparing senior Army NCOs for service in sergeant major positions. Staff from the academy also provided analysis and “lessons learned” from ongoing operations to prepare soldiers for their assignment as a sergeant major. The patch was approved in 1973.

A chief warrant officer assigned to CASCOM checks the radio frequency tags attached to cargo netting on air pallets at an airfield in Kuwait. Note he is wearing an early model DCU coat and has a pouch for easy access to his identification cards. Courtesy US Army DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The US Army Armor Center was at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The Armor Center and the Armor School had separate patches, but the school patch has not been encountered in desert. The Armor Center provided oversight of doctrine, training, and and equipment equipment development for the entire armored force. The patch was approved in 1958.

Shown here is the authorized desert version of the patch (approved in 1941) worn by cadre assigned to the US Military Academy (USMA) at West Point.

Combat Arms Inantry Center and School – Fort Benning, Georgia Armor Center and School – Fort Knox, Kentucky Kentucky Field Artillery Center and School – Fort Sill, Oklahoma Air Deense Artiller y Center and School – Fort Bliss, exas exas Aviation Aviation Center and School – Fort Rucker, Rucker, Alabama John F. F. Kennedy Special Warare Center and School – Fort Bragg, North Carolina

The US Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, provided training not not only for for infantry officers and enlisted soldiers, but also was the home of the Airborne, Ranger, and Pathfinder Schools. Shown here is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1951.

This is an interesting and odd armor triangle patch that was neither designated for the Armor Center or the Armor School, nor an armored division. It was produced in 1999 by Best Emblem for Denmark Military Equipment Company and was a sample submitted to the US Army Institute of Heraldry for approval. approval.


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The US Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) trained Army and Marine artillerymen in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of artillery. The school was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and this is the authorized version of their patch approved in 1970.

The US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) was at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The SWCS provided training and education for soldiers assigned to the Army’s special operations branches. This is an authorized version of the patch for the SWCS approved in 1962.

The US Army Air Defense Artillery (ADA) School was at Fort Bliss, Texas. The school trained ADA soldiers on a variety of air defense radars and systems, including Hawk, Patriot, and Stinger. During the period of this book, the most famous ADA accomplishment was the aerial defense of Saudi Arabia and Israel during the SCUD attacks by Iraq during Desert Storm. The patch was approved in 1956.

Combat Support Chemical Center and School – Fort McClellan, Alabama, until 1999, then Fort Leonard Wood, Wood, Missouri Engineer Center and School – Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Military Intelligence Center and School – Fort Huachuca, Arizona Military Police Center and School – Fort McClellan, Alabama, until 1999, then Fort Leonard Wood, Wood, Missouri Signal Center and School – Fort Gordon, Georgia

The US Army Aviation Center and School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, has worn this patch since 1957. Orange and black are the branch colors of aviation. Every Army aviator receives flight training at Fort Rucker.


The US Army Engineer School (USAES) was at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, until 1988, then Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. It provided individual training of all of the Army’s engineer units. This is an authorized version of the USAES patch approved in 1959.

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The US Army Military Police School was at Fort McClellan, Alabama, until 1999, then at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The school provided training in police operations, operations, corrections,, criminal corrections intelligence, and security. Displayed is an authorized version of the patch approved in 1960.

The US Army Quartermaste Quartermasterr Center and School was at Fort Lee, Virginia. The mission of the Quartermaster School was to train officers, warrant officers, and enlisted soldiers in supply operations and property accountability. It also provided instruction in aerial delivery, bulk petroleum operations, and mortuary affairs. The patch was approved in 1956.

The US Army Ordnance Center and School at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, wore this patch until 2002. Thereafter, the patch of the US Army Missile and Munitions Center and School was worn by this organization.

The US Army Signal Center and School was at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The Signal School provided instruction on a variety of communications and information systems. Here is the authorized authorized version version of the patch approved in 1960.

Combat Service Support Chaplain’ Chaplain’s Center and School – Fort Jackson, South Carolina Judge Advocate General Center and School – Charlottesville, Virginia Medical Center and School – Fort Sam Houston, exas exas Quartermaster Center and School – Fort Lee, Virginia Missile and Munitions Center and School – Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, until 2005, then Fort Lee, Virginia Ordnance Center and School – Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, until 2005, then Fort Lee, Virginia Soldier Support Institute (Finance and Adjutant General Schools) – Fort Jackson, South Carolina ransportation Center and School – Fort Eustis, Virginia, until 2005, then Fort Lee, Virginia


The US Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School was tasked to train assigned assigned military and civilians in munitions management, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and other related fields. The patch was originally approved in 1969, and amended in 2002, to include the US Army Ordnance Center and School.

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Combat Training Centers Joint Readiness raining raining Center – Fort Polk, Louisiana National raining raining Center – Fort Irwin, Caliornia US Army Northern Warare raining raining Center – Black Bl ack Rapids, Alaska Combat Maneuver raining Center – Hohenels, Germany

The authorized version of the patch worn by soldiers soldiers assigned to the US Army Soldier Support Institute (SSI) at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, until 1991, then Fort Jackson, Jackson, South South Carolina. The SSI provided education and training for soldiers assigned to the Finance and Adjutant General Corps. The patch was approved in 1973.

The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) was at Fort Polk, Louisiana. JRTC was the site where Army light and airborne infantry brigades conducted their major training exercises. Shown here is the authorized patch and airborne tab worn by the staff and OPFOR at that training center. center. Patch was approved in 1988; the airborne tab was authorized in 2004.

The authorized patch (approved in 1982) for the National National Training Training Center Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California. The NTC provided the Army with its premier desert training area for armored and mechanized brigades.

The US Army Transportation Corps Center and School desert version patch on a late-model DCU coat. This is a very rare commercially made version of the Transportation School patch. No known examples of the authorized desert patches have been encountered for this branch. The patch was approved in 1956.


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Other Schools Deense Language Institute Institute – Monterey, Monterey, Caliornia National Guard Schools – Various locations throughout the United States Western Hemisphere Institute or Security Cooperation – Fort Benning, Georgia

Shown is the authorized desert version of the Army National Guard Schools patch. There were training units in each state authorized to wear this patch. During OIF and OEF, this patch was primarily worn on DCUs by guardsmen deploying to the combat combat zones to study and improve training techniques techniques.. The patch was approved in 1997.

Desert patches or Army schools tend to be the hardest to find, as members o these schools were not normally expected to serve outside the United States. Some Army schools sent small teams to Iraq, Aghanistan, and Kuwait to provide specialized training in areas o technical and tactical expertise. Due to their requency o dispatching teams, the p patches atches rom the JFK Special Spec ial Warare Warare Center, Inantry, and Signal Schools appear to be the most common and relatively easy to find. Te Quartermaster School and ransportation School patches and uniorms are much scarcer, and some schools are simply not represented at all by desert patches.

The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) was formerly the location of the US Army School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, and served as the training site for students from Latin American countries. Shown is the authorized desert version of the school’s patch approved in 2000.

The Department of Defense’s premier language school was the Defense Defense Language Language Institute Institute at the the Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, California. Its staff taught more than twenty different languages to students of all ranks and services. This patch was approved in 1999.

A rarely seen desert patch of the US Army Chaplain’s Center and School that was approved on 13 September 1991.


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CHAPTER 12

The Navy and Marine Corps

Tis chapter will not attempt to provide a detailed account o the Navy or the Marines rom 1975 to 2012. Both ser vices have done a good job o detailing their participation in Desert Storm, OEF, OEF, and OIF. OIF. Instead, it is our intent to provide a visual record o the uniorms, badges, and insignia o these two services during the period. Both played a large role in Operations Desert Shield and D esert Storm. Tey took on an even larger and much longer-term role in the global war on terrorism (including OEF and OIF), as well as operations in the Philippines and the Horn o Arica. Te Navy also wore the desert uniorm during security operations in support o Joint ask ask Force Guantanamo (JF-GIMO) in Cuba. Both services were postured or large-scale combat against the communist bloc nations when Desert Storm took place, but by the turn o the century, their ocus included providing orces or other smaller scale sca le deployments and quick-strike support or expeditionary operations.

and Special Operations and construction battalions—most battalions—most commonly known as the Seabees. Starting in Desert Storm, many land-based naval units were issued six-color DBDUs and thus represent the The relatively hard-to-find DBDU coat belonging to a Navy petty officer second class. Note he has used the sew-on tape and an iron-on transfer on the pocket to identify he is a member of the Navy. Navy.

The United States Navy o view and understand the variety o uniorms and patches worn by US Naval orces during this period, it is easiest to divide the effort into logical categories: aviation, surace,

While the most significant action during Desert Storm took place place on land and in the the air, air, naval forces forces were engaged in a number of maritime interdiction and security missions. Here a sailor in DBDUs appears to be practicing his gunnery with a shipboard 25 mm chain gun aboard the USS Antietam (CG (CG 54). Of interest are the “sandbags” protecting the gunners; they appear to be wheat or flour sacks of Mid-Eastern origin. Courtesy US Navy DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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A much easier uniform to find: a Seabee DBDU coat with hand-written name tape and very nice Amphibious Construction Battalion Two patch on the right sleeve.

A Navy enlisted journalist (in DBDUs) interviews the public works officer for Fleet Hospital Five in her office just before Christmas 1990. Courtesy US Navy

most commonly ound uniorms and insignia. Te Seabees provided the majority o the Navy orce operating on land; the re were some five thousand Seabees working in and around Saudi Arabia. Using their construction skills, they built base camps, runways, and hospitals. SEALS ranged throughout the theater and spent a great deal o time training Kuwaiti orces or Special Operations. During the ground combat phase they were oen photographed in their heavily armed cross-country vehicles while participating in the liberation o Kuwait in February 1991. Naval aviators played a large role in the air war, war, but continued to wear their standard uniorms. Likewise, except or small boat crews, the majority o Navy surace personnel wore their standard uniorms. With the conclusion o the war, most naval orces withdrew rom the area and returned to their standard duty stations. Tere was some naval presence during the US operations in Somalia, but or the most part, like Desert Storm—except or pilots—Seabees, sailors assigned to Marine units,

and Special Operations teams, most Navy personnel remained shipboard and supported remotely. Aer September 11, 2001, it was different. o ully support Army and Marine ground orces in OEF and OIF, personnel rom all parts o the Navy began to fill billets throughout the theaters o operation. Perorming missions missions as diverse as instructing Iraqis in small boat handling to conducting local security operations, sailors and Seabees were ound in every part o the combat zone. Te construction battalions were extremely active and every Seabee battalion in the active and reserve component served in OEF and OIF. Once again, their critical skills were needed to construct and repair any number o acilities to support the fighting, as well as provide stability to a region. Te story o the SEALS in OEF is particularly well known and needs little recounting, as their exploits were ofen ront page news throughout the US and the world. Another Navy Special Operations capability resided in the spe cial boat teams that operated a variety o small boats manned by special warare combatant - cra crewmen (SWCC). Teir specialty was the insertion and retrieval o SEAL teams and other Special Operations orces, as well as direct action missions and special reconnaissance. Special boat teams were involved in the capture o the Iraqi port Umm Qasr and assisted SEALS in securing oil platorms off the Iraqi coast during OIF. Less well known is the Navy’s efforts to deeat remotely triggered t riggered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq by providing trained electronic warare operators—commissioned and enlisted—to support Army and Marine Corps ground orces. Te US Navy also worked closely with the Coast Guard on harbor deense, port security, and maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gul (see chapter 14). O interest to the collector is the Navy’s Navy’s use o distinctive abric strips or DCU name tapes. Around 2001, the Navy replaced the standard one-inch tall woven “webbed” name tapes with 1 ¼-inch tall abric strips made o 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Te materia l was olded and used in the back, and is identical to the material used or Navy collar and badge insignia. What ollows here are the uniorms and badges o these sailors as they served in i n Iraq, Aghanistan, Ku Kuwait, wait, and even the Philippines, as well as Guantanamo, Cuba, in the global war on terrorism (GWO).

Another unique uniform from the early 1990s; the name and “US NAVY” on this Seabee DBDU have been stenciled directly onto the coat, while the Seabee Seabee symbol and and “SEABEES” “SEABEES” have been been placed on the pocket pocket with an iron-on transfer. Courtesy Gareth Ewart The Navy and Marine Corps

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Indicating the much greater on-land involvement of the Navy in OEF and OIF, these covers from All Hands show show some of the jobs sailors were now performing, as well as other locations, such as Bangladesh and Africa. Courtesy US Navy


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The late-model DCU coat belonging to a US Navy aviator.

An interesting DCU coat belonging to a Navy lieutenant who has qualified as a surface warfare officer, a small boat commander, and a small craft (such as a landing craft) master. Of note here is the fact that that the original original manufacturer’s tag remains on the coat, indicating it was never worn.

Another naval aviator’s DCU coat—this time for a lieutenant—giving a much closer look at the detailed sewing on the aviator wings.

Some examples of US Navy flight suit and souvenir patches manufactured during the desert desert uniform era. era.


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The late-model DCU coat belonging to a Navy petty officer first class who has qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.

A closer look at the Small Boat Commander Badge on the pocket of the previous uniform.

The late-model DCU coat belonging to a Navy chief petty officer who has qualified as a Navy Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and a first class deep-sea “hard hat” diver.

DCU coat belonging to a Navy senior chief petty officer who is qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, has commanded a small craft, and also is currently serving as the chief petty officer of a command.

Insignia from another enlisted uniform reflecting this sailor’s qualification as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and an Enlisted Expeditionary Warfare Specialist. The latter is most often earned through service in a Navy unit conducting inland operations, such as riverine patrols or maritime security. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The late-model DCU coat belonging to a Navy master chief petty officer who has qualified for surface warfare and aviation warfare specialties. In this case, the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist badge indicates his current billet and the location of the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist badge indicates it was a previous position he held.

An early-model DCU coat belonging to a chief petty officer SEAL. Only those sailors sailors who have have completed completed SEAL training training and are are then assigned assigned to a SEAL team team or a Seal Seal Delivery Vessel Vessel team team were authorized authorized to wear wear this iconic iconic special warfare insignia. insignia.

The early-model DCU coat belonging to a petty officer first class who is rated a Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist and has also earned the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Badge. Note this coat has the wider collars and is made of heavier material.

A closer view of the SEAL Badge awarded to officers and enlisted naval personnel who have completed the Navy’s Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, completed SEAL Qualification Training, and were then designated a Navy SEAL. The badge reflects the three components components of of SEAL operations: operations: Sea, Air, and Land. Land.

The late-model DCU coat belonging to a Navy SEAL officer. In keeping with their tradition tradition of operational operational security security and secrecy secrecy,, every patch patch (including (including rank and name) can be removed from the Velcro. Interestingly enough, the SEAL Badge is one of only very few Navy insignia that is exactly the same for officers and enlisted. The Navy and Marine Corps

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A closer view of the “Don’t Tread on Me” patch often applied by SEALs to their uniforms. With an origin reaching back to the Revolutionary War, this symbol and saying reflect the US Navy’s proud heritage.

The late-model DCU coat belonging to a Navy commander who has qualified as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS) and is serving in one of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalions or Seabee units.

DCU coat belonging to a master chief petty officer in the Seabees who has earned earned the Seabee Combat Warfare Warfare Enlisted badge. This sailor has also served as a command chief petty officer, as indicated by the badge on his right breast pocket. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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An oval command chief petty officer badge. There are six versions of this patch patch reflecting reflecting the rank and level of the command command in which which the sailor has served in this role. This patch has also been produced in a brown version.

An extremely unique DCU coat; the owner has served as a Navy corpsman with the Fleet Marine Force and is currently assigned in the same role to a Seabee unit. This Navy rating is unusual, in that it is one of very few that has a specialty pin to go with the more standard collar rank.

The desert-colored construction “hard hat” belonging to a petty officer second class. The sticker on the right side reflects his service with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seventeen, also known as the “Desert Battalion.”

The left breast pocket of another Seabee senior chief petty officer reflecting his qualification as a Master Diver. The Navy and Marine Corps

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Among the many jobs being performed by Navy personnel during OEF and OIF was service with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force. Shown here for comparison are two examples of the pocket insignia worn by these sailors: on the left, the patch has been embroidered directly on the pocket, while on the right, the patch has been created separately and then sewn onto the pocket. A unique uniform: the DCU coat belonging to a Navy chaplain that served with the Fleet Marine Force and the Seabees. The patch over the left pocket denotes service as a Fleet Marine Force chaplain. Courtesy Guilhaume Nuydt

A hard-to-find uniform, this DCU coat belongs to a sailor who has qualified as a special warfare combatant craft crewman and as a small craft commander. Courtesy Guilhaume Nuydt

This 1999 DCU coat belonged to a Navy petty officer second class who has earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare badge. Adding to the uniqueness of this uniform is the use of “II” on the name tape; name tapes very rarely include include Jr., Jr., Sr., Sr., etc.

Another hard-to-find example: the DCU coat belonging to a sailor who has earned the dolphins of a submarine warfare specialist. Courtesy Guilhaume Nuydt


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Another favored addition to desert uniforms was the sewing of the wearer’s name and branch of service in Arabic letters. Displayed here are four examples of the different styles that can be found. Courtesy Clete Erickson

A much discussed but seldom seen area of the US military world: the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba, seen from one of the hills on “Mainside” and looking across the bay to the leeward side of the base. The Navy and Marine Corps

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Another reminder that desert uniform wear was not restricted to only the Middle Middle East, Southwest Southwest Asia, Asia, and Afghanistan: Afghanistan: this this DCU coat coat belonged to a sailor assigned to Joint Task Force (JTF) security force at GTMO. Courtesy Guilhaume Nuydt

A petty officer second class sews a US Navy tape onto his newly issued desert camouflage uniform in preparation for deployment to one of the war zones. Courtesy US Navy

A selection of US Navy officer ranks showing variety in construction and color. Note that many of the Navy ranks and badges such as these are made on fabric strips of material that allow them to have the edges folded under during tailoring, giving a raised effect to the final product.


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This selection of US Navy enlisted collar ranks also allow comparison of color and style.

Petty Officer 3rd Class E-4

Petty Officer 2nd Class E-5

Theater-made Petty Officer 3rd Class

Petty Officer 1st Class E-6

Early Brown Petty Officer 1st Class

Black Metal Petty Officer 3rd Class

Chief Petty Officer E-7


Senior Chief Petty Officer E-8

Master Chief Petty Officer E-9

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The United States Marine Corps Unlike their Navy counterparts, the Marines played a major ground role in Desert Storm and Somalia. Tey would also play a large part in the fighting in OEF and OIF. OIF. For the Marines, Operations Desert Deser t Shield and Desert Storm were the largest deployment o Marines since the end o the t he Vietnam War. War. Among the very first units arriving in Saudi Arabia in August 1990 was the 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB). It was soon ollowed by other units rom the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraf Wing, and the 1st Force Service Support Group. In time they were joined by many o the 2nd Marine Division units rom Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and a large number o Marine Corps reserve units. By the time the air war started on January 16, 1991, over hal o all Marines in the active and reserve components were in the desert. deser t. When Iraqi orces attacked the Saudi Arabia border town Khai on January 29, they were met by strong resistance rom Marine deenders. On February 24, Marine task orces attacked Iraqi positions in Kuwait, Kuwait, drawing away deenders rom the actual coalition main attack taking place arther north. Encountering some resistance at first, the Marines were soon surprised by the “surrendering Iraqis [that] jammed the mine-ree clear lanes, hands up, many grinning, others asking or ood.”1 Simultaneously, Simultaneously, two Marine brigades remained off the coast o Kuwait, simulating an amphibious landing and tying down more Iraqi orces. With the war war quickly ended, the overall Allied Allie d Commander Gen. Norman Schwarzkop later complimented the Marines on their perormance and praised them or “the absolutely superb job that they did.” did.” Mission accomplished, the Marines se ttled in to wait w ait their turn to return home to their amilies and home duty stations.2

A patrol of Marines makes their way down a Somali street. In addition to having complete DBDU uniforms, they also have DBDU material covers for their body armor and have added iron-on USMC emblems on their helmet covers. Courtesy US Marine Corps The DBDU coat worn by a Marine officer during Desert Storm. Note the major’s oak leaf is pinned to the uniform and that, except for the ironed-on USMC pocket markings, there are no other patches patches or unit markings. Courtesy LTC (ret) Richard Boch

A Marine Corps major assigned to the 2nd Marine Division G-4 element outside a sandbagged emplacement near Dammam. The major was in Saudi Arabia December 1990–May 1991; by that time DBDU DBDU material for for body armor covers had become available. Courtesy LTC (ret) Richard Boch


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A Marine officer is visiting some of his men in a hospital in Somalia. Note he is wearing an unusual oversized color US flag on his left sleeve. Courtesy US Marine Corps

A Marine from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit wearing a woodland pattern chemical suit and body armor advances with his unit near Az Zubayr, Iraq, in March 2003. Courtesy US Marine Corps

From 1993–1995, 1993–1995, the Marines also played a major role in the attempted attempted United Nations humanitarian relie and stabilization o Somalia. Te DBDU remained the basic Marine uniorm during this period, although some DCUs were slowly making their way into the Marine seabag.

Operation Enduring Freedom Among the very first conventional US military units to deploy to Aghanistan were the 15th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units (MEU). Working in tandem, the two MEUs conducted a number o successul operations rom December 2001 to February 2002. 3 Aer that period a number o Marine units in turn deployed to Aghanistan to participate in the t he fight against the aliban and other Islamic groups. Some o these units would oen find themselves on a rotation cycle between service in Iraq, short periods o reurbishment in the states, and then another deployment to Aghanistan.

Operation Iraqi Freedom Participation by the Marines in Operation Iraqi Freedom meant the first operational deployment o a Marine E xpeditionary Force (MEF) since Desert Shield/Desert Storm. By this t ime, the six-color DBDU had been completely completely replaced by the three-color DCU. Te 1st MEF ultimately consisted o some 85,000 t roops and conducted “the longest sequence o coordinated overland attacks in Marine Corps history. From crossing the line o departure (LOD) on the border between Kuwait and Iraq, to the culmination o hostilities well north o Baghdad, the division covered 808 kilometers in 17 days o sustained combat.” Just prior to engaging in this task, the 1st Marine Division moved its 20,000 Marine and sailor orce to their jump-off positions in less than a day. day.4 Meanwhile, the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade—which had arrived in Kuwait in February 2003 to become part o the 1st MEF—began its attack while serving as the le flank o the Marine orce. Known as ask Force arawa, the 2nd began its attack into Iraq on March 21, 2003. Advancing and protecting the right flank o the Army’s 3rd Inantry Division, the 2nd created a path that would eventually serve as the main supply route through the country.5 Just ten weeks later, later, Marine Lt. Gen. James . . Conway declared “Te war now is essentially essentia lly over….Our current mission is to provide a sae and secure environment in order to eventually be able to turn Iraq back over to the Iraqis.” 6 He was an optimist. In spite o his positive thoughts, the fighting in Iraq dragged on or many years as setbacks and accomplishments alternated in rapid sequence. Troughout it all, the Marines continued to serve aithully and ought several large-scale battles with Iraqi insurgents. By 2003, their DCUs would be replaced with a Marine specific desert-colored

A 1991 early-model DCU coat for a Marine. By this time, the Marines have broken with tradition and now wear name tapes and “U.S. Marines” over the breast pockets of their uniforms. The Navy and Marine Corps

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uniorm known as the Blouse, Desert, Marine Pattern (MARPA (MARPA), ), Camouflage, Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniorm Uniorm (MCCUU). As a note to collectors, the Marine Corps tradition—enorced since 1948—o not wearing specific unit identification shoulder patches remained in effect throughout the desert period. While it is possible to find US Army DCUs with USMC unit patches reflecting soldiers serving with Marine units in combat zone, the Marines in that same unit wore none. As a result, unless the original owner’s inormation is provided elsewhere, it is not possible to find and specifically collect 1st Marine Division uniorms, Marine air wing uniorms, or other such uniorms. US Civilian echnician Patch One more category o Marine insignia remains to be covered: the Marine Corps technician patch. Based on “MARINE CORPS ORDER P1020.34G W/CH 1-4 31 March 03,” the ollowing inormation is provided or civilians serving with Marine units:

1. When authorized by CMC, US civilian technicians serving serv ing with the Marine Corps may wear the Marine Corps service and utility uniorms except that no distinctive grade, corps device, or other Navy or Marine Corps insignia will be worn. Plain buttons o the approximate approximate size and color o the buttons buttons prescribed or the t he Marine Corps uniorms will be worn on all coats. The arm brassard for a Marine Corps military police unit serving in Iraq.


This early model DCU reflects the appearance of a typical Marine uniform of the early OEF and OIF period. With the addition of USMC and name tapes there is no longer a need to have the iron-on USMC decal on the pocket, so the Marine symbol is now centered.

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2. Te insignia as described below will be worn on these uniorms by civilian technicians: a. Breast insignia will be worn on the le-breast pocket o all coats and khaki shirts. Te breast insignia will consist o an embroidered spread eagle acing dexter [authors’ note: dexter is heraldic term or le] with a group o tools clutched clutched in the le claw and an olive branch in the right claw. Te lettering “U.S. ECHNICIAN” ECHNICIAN” will be centered immediately below the eagle. Te insignia will be placed on a 3-¼-inch square background material o the same color as the coat or shirt.

Whatever their role, sailors, Seabees, and Marines served bravely and completed the missions assigned to them during this period. A Marine staff sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, examines the damaged condition of his personal gear after a rocket propelled grenade attack on his amphibious assault vehicle in April 2003. The standard procedure of hanging personal equipment and other excess gear on the outside of armored vehicles dates back to WWII, and actually provides some additional protection to the crew members. Courtesy US Marine Corps

A side-by-side comparison of two Marine late-model DCU coats belonging to the same man clearly shows the difference in color of uniforms from different manufacturers, as well as the use of theatermade name tapes (left) and the standard version (right).


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The authorized patch for civilian technicians serving with Marine Corps units.

The US Department of Defense constantly attempts to improve the uniforms and equipment it provides to its servicemen. Here is one example: the Marine Corps’ attempt to produce a uniform that would also serve to repel insects, such as mosquitos, chiggers, and ticks. It is interesting to note the repellant properties of the “buzz off” uniform were good for up to twenty-five washings, after which the uniform should be discarded.


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CHAPTER 13

The Air Force

During the desert uniform period, large numbers of Air Force personnel deployed to many locations in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. This 1981 DBDU coat belonged to a technical sergeant and has black Velcro panel for the Air Force style leather or cloth name plate. Note the continued reuse of woodland BDU stripes for his rank.

During the desert per iod, the United States Air Force Force (USAF) was destined to play a large role in combat operations and large-scale exercises. For the most part, during the early years the Air Force played a traditional role in combat operations. During the later phases o OIF and OEF, an increasing number o airmen ound themselves participating participat ing in ground combat roles. Particularly noteworthy were the airmen who served in the logistics combat patrols as drivers or Members of the Air Force saw frequent training deployments to the Middle East. Two USAF flight line mechanics from the 33rd Aviation Maintenance Unit work on one of their F-16 Fighting Falcons at a Jordanian airfield during Operation Bright Star in 1987. Courtesy US Air Force

The Air Force

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A later model DBDU coat with narrow collars belonging to an airman assigned to the 4404th Composite Squadron. Stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, this unit saw extended service in Saudi Arabia after the end of of Desert Storm Storm 1991–98. ItIt appears the the name and and US Air Force Force tapes are locally made. made.

Another early model DBDU coat with the wide collars and olive green-colored Velcro patches for attaching all patches and an aviator flight suit style name tag.

part o the secur ity orce o these convoys. As a result, many o the participants added Army patches to their uniorms to reflect their association with Army units.

With the rapid conclusion o the war most USAF units returned to the states, leaving behind the 4404th 4404 th Wing (Provisional) in Saudi Arabia. A short while later many o the same units returned to Southwest Asia to enorce a “no fly” zone over Iraq in an operation soon to become known as Operation S outhern Watch. Watch. In the ollowing years there were a number o other short-notice deployments by USAF units and their Air Force reserve and air National Guard comrades:

The Air Force in Desert Storm In August 1990, Saddam Hussein’ Hussein’s invasion o Kuwait quickly turned into a major effort to deploy US orces to the region. ransporting the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division was one o the first missions the Air Force received. Tat mission was soon ollowed by another to deploy the 24th Inantry Division. As more USAF tactical fighter and bomber squadrons arrived in the region, emphasis shied to the preparations or the impending campaign to liberate Kuwait. Te USAF’s strategic and operational guidance in the theater o operations came rom US Central Centr al Command Air Forces (CENAF). It was under CENAF’s leadership that the air campaign during Operation Desert Storm was conducted. It has been reported that “the Air Force was considered a key actor in dest roying the world’s world’s sixth largest Air Force and decimating the ourth largest Army… Troughout the campaign, USCENAF aircra flew a total o 29,393 sorties, dropped 60,624 tons o ordnance and dest royed 215 enemy aircra.”1 O interest here is the act that t hat USAF active duty, Air Force reserve, and air National Guard personnel were among the first to be issued three-color DCU uniorms, some o which appeared as early as Desert Storm.


Operation Vigilant Warrior Warrior (October–December (Oc tober–December 1994) Operation Vigilant Sentinel (August–September (August–September 1995) Operation Desert Strike (August–October 1996) Operation Desert Tunder I (November 1997–June 1998) Operation Desert Tunder II (August–December 1998) Operation Desert Fox (December 1998) 2 Air Force units and aircra were also deployed to Somalia and neighboring East Arican countries during 1992 to 1994, in a series o operations called Provide Relie, Restore Hope, Continue Hope, and Restore Hope II. What started as humanitarian relie missions eventually evolved into nation building and finally into combat operations.

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The Air Force

The major Air Force commands of the desert period, and therefore some of the most commonly encountered US Air Force pocket patches. Militaria collectors will immediately note the number of early Army Air Force symbols that are used in these patches. In the lower right corner is an example of the typical typical Vanguard Vanguard Industries Industries sales sales packaging packaging used in military clothing clothing sales stores.

The Air Force

234


Several variations of the USCENTAF pocket patch are shown here for comparison, including (far right) a theater-made version. Units assigned to CENTAF saw extensive service in the Middle East during the entire desert period. In 2008, USCENTAF was redesignated US Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT).

Central to the story of the USAF desert uniforms and patches is the US Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF). Here is an early model DCU coat belonging to a USCENTAF technical sergeant who was qualified as a parachute rigger and a senior logistician.

The Air Force in OEF/OIF With the turn o the century, the primary mission o CENAF was to “project decisive air and space power or CENCOM and America.”3 With 120 aircra and 9,000 USAF light and ground support personnel, CENAF was a powerul orce. It continued to deploy to the Middle East and Southwest Asia or exercises like Bright Star and other similar exercises in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Aer the terrorist attacks o 9/11, units belonging to CENAF deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003, with the

beginning o Operation Iraqi Freedom, CENAF again provided large forces to achieve air

superiority. Ground combat operations began on March 20, and the Air Force delivered strikes “on key targets in and around Baghdad, launching more than 1,700 coalition air sorties and missile launches against Iraq.”4 As a result o urkey’s unwillingness to allow airfields in their country DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

235

The Air Force

to support OIF, it was decided by CENCOM to capture one in Iraq. Air Force C-130s and C-17s dropped almost a thousand 173rd Airborne Brigade paratroopers onto Bashur airfield, in northern Iraq, on March 26. Making the combat jump with them were members o the Air Force’s Force’s 86th Contingency Response Group. By April 2003, “the Air Force had approximately 54,955 active duty personnel in Iraq, 2,084 Air Force Reserve personnel, and 7,207 members o the Air National Guard.” 5 Along with standard USAF missions o strategic and tactical air support, many o the airmen deployed in support o Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom took on a much different role. Engineer units soon ound themselves perorming missions more suited to Army combat engineers. Other airmen were used as truck drivers and security orces or the long convoys that drove rom Kuwait into Iraq and back to keep orward operating bases supplied. O perhaps equal or even greater importance to the ground missions, the Air Force surged its assets when wh en required. For example, during the period January to April 2005, when the Marines increase d their orces in Iraq, the Air Force supported that surge with 325 inter-theater airlif missions and 1,059 intra-theater missions, completing what Marine Corps historians believed to be the largest troop rotation in US military history. Likewise, when the Army “surged” orces into Iraq in late 2007 and 2008, the Air Force supported those operations with increased airlif and close air support missions. 6

In March 2008, USCENAF was redesignated US Air Forces Central Command (USAFCEN). Tis change took place close to the end o the transition period when the Airman B attle Uniorm Uniorm (ABU) had completely replaced the DCU across the Air Force. Te ollowing pages provide an overview and representative sample o the uniorms, insignia, and patches worn by USAF personnel pers onnel during the desert period. Te relative scarcity o some variations o Air Force uniorms and patches o this period makes it a challenge or the collector to gather some o the more unique items. O particular interest will always be theater-made patches worn by USAF personnel assigned to Army units, as well as the uniorms o USAF special operation units. Balancing the scarcity is the act that Air Force personnel wore DCUs and desert-patterned e quipment quipment long aer the Army switched over to the ACU.

For comparison, a USAF DCU field jacket is next to a DCU coat. The field jacket belonged to an Air Force master sergeant who was qualified as a rigger and as a master aircrewman. aircrewman. Unlike Army parachute riggers, they were not required to make parachute jumps during their training or service.

A seldom seen pocket patch: the Office of Special Investigations. This late model DCU is also interesting because instead of rank insignia, the original owner had a “SPECIAL AGENT” patch over his name. Courtesy Gareth Ewart The Air Force

A USAF captain wearing a DCU field jacket with a master operations badge and assigned to the 606th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron responds to a flight information transmission at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, in July 2003. Courtesy US Air Force 236


Among the many critical skills required to operate a safe and effective Air Force squadron or flight line is the ability to fight or prevent fires. Centered on the left breast pocket is the Air Force Fire Protection Badge. This basic badge is issued to all qualified USAF firefighters. There are also versions of this badge that denote leadership positions (assistant, deputy, and chief) represented by three, four, and five bugles. This early model DCU coat belonged to an airman first class assigned to a fire protection unit.

A late model DCU coat belonging to a senior airman showing the common use of black Velcro for attaching a flight suit style name tag. Black, olive green, and tan Velcro have all been observed on Air Force DBDUs and DCUs.

A US Army colonel and his Air Force counterpart—commander of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group—secure a United Nations flag on the casket of the chief UN ambassador ambassador to Iraq, Iraq, who was killed killed by a terrorist terrorist attack attack at the United United Nations Nations Office of Humanitarian Humanitarian Coordinator Coordinator in Baghdad Baghdad in August August 2003. Both officers are wearing early version DCU coats and the Air Force colonel’s Air Force Command pilot wings are visible. Courtesy US Air Force


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The Air Force

This late model DCU coat with narrow collars and lightweight material is from a USAF lieutenant colonel chaplain. This chaplain saw service in Baghdad, Iraq, as well as Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Note the USAF Christian chaplain’s cross above the left breast pocket differs slightly from its Army counterpa counterpart. rt.

The defense attaché—a USAF brigadier general assigned to the US Embassy Embassy in Kuwait—esco Kuwait—escorts rts Army Gen. Ray Ray Odierno in 2011, during a visit to CENTCOM. Note by the time this photo photo was taken, taken, the Army Army had changed changed to the the ACU uniform and the USAF was wearing the eight-point DCU cap. Courtesy US Air Force

Interesting for several reasons: a USAF lieutenant colonel in his desert-colored flight suit and a master sergeant in DCUs helping Iranian soldiers unload water from a USCENTCOM C-130 to aid earthquake victims in Bam, Iran, in 2003.

Flight suit patches worn by a USAF airman assigned to the 173rd Air Refueling Wing during Desert Storm. Courtesy Pete Belmonte The Air Force

238


A selection of some of the many different USAF squadron and organizational patches that can be found. These reflect the variety of units and include air National Guard and special operations patches, as well as some of the different groups, wings, squadrons, and expeditionary forces of the period.


239

The Air Force

Certainly among the more unique and harder to find uniforms, uniforms, this USAF USAF Special Operations Command major’s DCU coat reflects his qualification as a Ranger, a military free fall parachutist, a trained scuba scuba expert, expert, and a paratrooper with a combat jump.

Extremely interesting, as this image shows the USAF during their transition from desert uniforms to the Airman Airman Battle Uniform Uniform (ABU) in 2006. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray talks to Brig. Gen. Gen. Ted Ted Kresge, 379th 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and other senior leaders during his visit to their desert base. Courtesy US Air Force

A closer look at the Military Free Fall and Parachute Badge on the Special Operations Command uniform; the black star embroidered on the Parachute Badge is the traditional designation for a combat jump.

The Air Force

240


Here are several variations of USAF Special Operations pocket patches. Note the variety of colors and variation in wording on the shield’s scroll.

Another USAF Special Operations uniform, this time a DCU field jacket belonging to a master sergeant who is a qualified rigger. Note the original manufacturer’s tag, indicating indicating this jacket was never worn. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

241

The Air Force

A reminder that not all desert uniforms were worn just in the Middle East. Much closer to home, a USAF cargo specialist assigned to the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron reads a newspaper while waiting to off-load air cargo in Haiti. Courtesy US Air Force

This DCU coat belonged to an airman first class who was assigned to the 18th Air Air Support Operations Operations Group, Group, which provided direct direct USAF support to XVIII Airborne Corps units, including weather and close air support capabilities. His uniform also reflects he has earned the Parachute Badge and has served with the 3rd Infantry Division.

A USCENTAF airman first class’s DCU coat showing assignment to the Army’s 13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM), an organization usually affiliated with the heavy forces of the US III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas.

Another category of Air Force uniforms reflects a new mission based on the exigencies exigencies of the the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). (GWOT). After 2001, 2001, many airmen found themselves working and fighting alongside Army soldiers and units. Here is an early model DCU coat for an Air Force staff sergeant who served with the 1st Infantry Division and proudly wears the “Big Red Red One” on his right sleeve. sleeve. Courtesy Richard Killblane

The Air Force

242


Another USAF DCU coat, this time from a USAF truck driver also supporting the 13th COSCOM. COSCOM. The staff sergeant sergeant has added a nice theater-made theater-made variation of the patch to his left sleeve. Courtesy Richard Killblane

An interesting array of some of the different US Air Force tapes that will be found on desert uniforms of the period, period, as well as a tape for a criminal investigative special agent.

A number of different US Air Force qualification and duty assignment badges. As can be seen, most of these will be found in either black or brown desert versions.


243

The Air Force

The US Air Force enlisted rank structure is fairly concise and easy to follow in comparison to some of the other services. Shown here are most of the possible ones that will be encountered. At the bottom are examples of rank worn on the GoreTex jacket.

Airman E-2 before 1991

Airman E-2

Airman First Class E-3 before 1991

Airm Ai rman an Fi Firs rstt Cl Clas asss EE-33

Seni Se nior or Ai Airm rman an EE-44 before 1991

Senior Airman E-4

Staf St afff Se Serg rgea eant nt EE-55

Tec echn hnic ical al Se Serg rgea eant nt E-6

Master Sergeant E-7

First Sergeant E-7

Senior Master Sergeant E-8

First Sergeant E-8

Chief Master Sergeant E-9

Command Chief Master Sergeant E-9

First Sergeant E-9

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 1991 – 2004

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 2004

First Sergeant Diamond to be sewn on chevron

Examples of enlisted rank loops

The Air Force

244


US and Egyptian paratroopers load a US Air Force C-141 Starlifter aircraft in November 1981 during the first Bright Star Exercise in Egypt. Note the US paratroopers are wearing the early 6-color desert uniform along with tan spray panted Mitchell helmet covers on their M-1 helmets.

An Air Force colonel presents the Purple Heart to an Air Force staff sergeant who was wounded by a sniper outside Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2007. This was her second Purple Heart while serving as a weapons intelligence team member searching for IEDs and a reminder of how dangerous service in Iraq was to all US service members. Note the colonel is wearing the distinctive distinctive Air Force Force Commander's Commander's Insignia over the right right pocket of his DCUs. This badge was presented to squadron, group, wing and higher level commanders. He also wears the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing patch on his left pocket.


245

The Air Force

CHAPTER 14

The Coast Guard

Te US Coast Guard (USCG) is one o the most intriguing areas o desert uniorm and insignia collecting. Only a ew thousand Coast Guardsmen wore the desert uniorm, making this one o the most interesting and challenging areas to collect. Te Coast Guard is the smallest o the five military services that make up the US Armed Forces, consisting o 42,000 active members, 7,000 reservists, and a Coast Guard auxillary o 30,000 civilian volunteers. Te USCG was ounded as the Revenue Marine (later known as the Revenue Cutter Service) in 1790. By 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service and the Lie Saving Service were merged to create the modern day Coast Guard as an armed orce. Since 1995, it has had our major national deense missions: maritime interception operations, deployed port operations/security and deense, peacetime engagement, and environmental deense. Te Coast Guard has served under the reasury and ransportation Departments, and has been part o the Department o Homeland Security since 2003. It is the only US armed orce not within the Department o Deense that has ull-time military ser vice members. It uses a rank/rate and pay structure similar to the Navy. Te Coast Guard becomes subordinate to the Navy when directed by the president or during a declared war, which has not happened since WWII. Beginning with the Vietnam War, the Coast Guard has provided orces that have worked jointly with the Navy in military operations and continued this partnership with the Navy during Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.1 Coast Guard maritime patrol and interdiction orces (cutters) and aircraf work domestically and globally, globa lly, providing providing maritime presence, patrol, response, and interdiction. Te Coast Guard is unique because it has military and law enorcement authority and

jurisdiction over vessels and their occupants anywhere within US waters. It also has the authority to enorce international maritime law nearly everywhere on the globe. Te white-hulled ships o the Coast Guard are perceived as less intimidating than the warships o the US Navy and are oen used or security challenges that do not fit well within traditional military context. 2

Coast Guard Service in the Desert Era Coast Guard personnel have worn the desert uniorm in a number o deployed locations around the world, including the North Arabian Gul, where they provided port security and ensured the ree flow o commerce in the region. Coast Guardsmen have served in Arica (Djibouti), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Bahrain. Tey also wore the desert uniorm during security operations in support o Joint ask Force Guantanamo (JF-GIMO) in Cuba, as well as in support o the humanitarian relie mission in Haiti ollowing the devastating earthquake there in 2010.3

Members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 301 from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, conduct a maritime security patrol outside the Kuwaiti Kuwaiti Naval Base aboard a heavily armed guardian class Transportable Port Security Boat (TPSB) built by Boston Whaler. Courtesy Courtesy US US Navy The Coast Guard

246


A petty officer second class machinery technician with Maritime Safety and Security Team 91104, Galveston, Texas, observes Coast Guard vessels providing maritime security for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2010. The DCU uniform was worn by the Coast Guard during operations in Cuba and Haiti. Courtesy JTF GITMO

A radioman second class from Port Security Unit 301 works with a radioman second class of the Navy’s Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare Unit 105 during Operation Desert Shield. Typical of this period, the Coast Guardsman wears wears the pin-on pin-on black metal subdued subdued Coast Guard rate insignia and the woven tan name tapes on his DBDUs. Courtesy US Navy

An interesting early Coast Guard DBDU with the patch of the “9th USCG PSU.” Little is known about this patch, but it is thought to have been worn by the 9th Coast Guard District’s Reserve Unit from Cleveland, Ohio, in the Desert Storm era and may be the predecessor of PSU 309, which is now at Port Clinton, Ohio. This uniform would have had the black metal pin-on rate insignia on its collar points. Courtesy Gareth Ewart

During Desert Storm, USCG units and aircra were deployed in Southwest Asia, but no Coast Guard cutters deployed. A total o ten our-person law enorcement boarding teams deployed and carried out 60% o the 600 ship boardings conducted by US orces, including the first boarding o an Iraqi vessel on August 30, 1990, by a USCG LEDE. LEDE. Tree port security units (PSU) c onsisting o 550 Coast Guard reservists were mobilized. Tis was the first deployment o PSUs and the first overseas mobilization o Coast Guard reserve units in the history o the Coast Guard. PSU 303 was first deployed to Ad Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Additionally, a sevenman liaison staff was designated by the commandant as the operational command element or the USCG orces deployed in theater.4


Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Thomas N. Jamerson, a member of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 303, poses in May 1991, in front of the sign pointing the way to the large port complex at Ad Dammam. This large sign was a common sight for all US military personnel working in or transiting Ad Dammam during during Desert Storm. Although Although Jamerson is wearing DBDUs, for most of the deployment the Coast Guardsmen of the 303rd wore “woodland” BDUs. Courtesy Tom Jamerson

247

The Coast Guard

A selection of Coast Guard patches representing its significant presence in the Persian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Coast Guard worked closely with the Navy as part of Combined Task Group 56.5; elements of the Coast Guard’s Patrol Forces Southwest Asia were forward deployed at the Kuwaiti Naval Base and Coast Guardsmen served on the Central Command staff. Also represented are the patches of two forward-deployed Coast Guard vessels: the cutters Monomoy (WPB-1326) (WPB-1326) and Adak (WPB-1333). (WPB-1333).

At the height o operations during Oper ation Iraqi Freedom, there were 1,250 USCG personnel deployed, including about 500 reservists. Tis orce included two large cutters, a buoy tender, eight patrol boats, our port security units, and law enorcement detachments. Tese were all deployed under the Navy’s command. Te Coast Guard also provided support staff to the central (CENCOM) and European (EUCOM) commands. Established in 2002, Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PAFOR SWA) in Manama, Bahrain, was created rom personnel rom twenty-our different Coast Guard commands and was the Coast Guard’s largest unit outside the United States. PAFOR SWA’s mission was to train, equip, deploy, deploy, and support maritime orces in the region. Coast Guard units were oen closer to the area o conflict than t han their Navy counterparts. Coast Guard achievements during the war included the first capture o maritime prisoners o war by the The Coast Guard

Coast Guard cutter Adak cutter Adak,, as well as the identification and seizure o cargoes prohibited by UN sanctions by Co ast Guard cutter Boutwell . Coast Guard patrol boats and law enorcement detachments (LEDES) aided in the interception and seizure o Iraqi mine-laying vessels. Te captain o one o the tugs acknowledged seeing one o the “white patrol boats” had prevented him rom deploying his mines. Coast C oast Guard PSU 311 opened and ensured access to the Iraqi port Umm Qasr. Te Coast Guard’s Chinook, LEDE 205, aboard the Navy’s USS Chinook, located a suicide boat and weapons cache hidden in coastal caves in southern Iraq. Te Coast Guard also provided training or Iraqi Navy personnel aer the occupa-

Coast Guard logo patches were sometimes worn by Coast Guardsmen on their body armor. The top design is a desert representation of the “Racing Stripe” or “Slash” emblem adopted by the Coast Guard in 1967. Below is a desert representation of the Coast Guard ensign (flag) adopted in 1964. 248


tion o Iraq. Te first Coast Guardsman killed in action since the Vietnam War was Damage Controlman 3rd Class (DC3) Nathan Bruckenthal, who died as a result o a suicide bombing when the small boat his LEDE 403 team intercepted near the Khawr Al Amay oil terminal exploded on April 24, 2004. Te explosion overturned the boarding team’ team’s rigid hull inflatable boat, killing him as well as two US Navy sailors. 5 Te Coast Guard conducted joint operations and training with the Navy’s Navy’s Combined ask Group 56.5 (CG 5 6.5) under the t he Naval Expeditionary Combat Command. CG 56.5 was charged with providing harbor deense and security to ports, seaward se award approaches, and waterways within with in US Central Command’s area o responsibility. Coast Guard units provided port security in Ba hrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. Tis effort included escorting humanitarian aid shipments into the Iraqi port Umm Qasr. 6

One would think the Co Coast ast Guard would have had no missions in land-locked Aghanistan, but since 2003, its redeployment assistance and inspection detachments (RAID) have provided container inspection support in Aghanistan and elsewhere in the US Central Command area o operations.7

Deployable Operations Group (DOG) Deployable Specialized Forces (DSFs) were the Coast Guard’s Guard’s rapid response capability, with specialized skills in law enorcement, military port security, security, hazardous spill response, and other missions. During the desert pe riod, the deployable operations group group (DOG) oversaw the operation o DSFs. Port Security Units (PSUs), (PSUs), Maritime Saety and Security Sec urity eams (MSSs), (MSSs), and actical Law Enorcement eams (ACLE) were subordinate to the DOG or seven years (2007–2013), when it was disbanded. PSUs and MSSs wore the DOG tab arch above their unit patch starting around 2007 and later.

A Deployable Operations Group (DOG) tab arch and patch on the left shoulder of a Coast Guard lieutenant commander’s uniform. Coast Guard officer uniforms prove elusive, as officers make up only 15% and warrant officers 4% of all Coast Guard members. The DOG tab arch was also worn above Courtesy Paul Paul & unit patches on the uniforms of Port Security Units and Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) 2007–2013. Courtesy & Noel Reck


249

The Coast Guard

A selection of unit patches representing the Coast Guard’s Port Security Units (PSUs). The trident, sea horse, shark, and dolphin are featured in the design of several PSU patches. PSU patches were authorized by COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 1020.10 in in 1995. The PSU 307 KNB (Kuwait Naval Base) SECTION ONE SHUAIBA patch represents the unit’s service during Iraqi Freedom. Over time PSU 308 changed its patch from a simple trident to a stylized shark holding a trident. Other variations can be seen in the designs of the PSU 312 and 313 patches.

Port Security Units (PSUs)

seized by US Navy SEALs during combat op erations. PSUs PSUs guarded Kuwait Kuwait Naval Base, providing security or over 300 ships per year through the North Persian Gul and averaging fiy sorties a week or nine years. Every PSU unit conducted multiple deployments deployments to the gul during the desert period. 8 Documented PSUs were:

PSUs were deployable Coast Guard units organized or sustained expeditionary operations providing waterborne security and limited land-based protection or shipping lanes and critical port acilities. Tey could deploy within 96 hours o recall, establish operations within 24 hours once in theater, and were sel-sufficient or up to thirty days, except or uel and water. Te majority o personnel assigned to PSUs were reservists, and whe n deployed PSUs served as a joint orce in coordination with the Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces (MESFs). Each PSU has six ast, maneuverable, and heavily armed railorable Port Port Security Secu rity Boats (PSB). In the 1980s, PSUs were largely ad-hoc organizations and at the time only three units existed: PSU 301 Buffalo, NY; PSU 302 Cleveland, OH; and PSU 303 Milwaukee, WI. Tese units were called to active duty or service in Operation Desert Storm and their primary duty was to provide secur ity o the ports o Jubail and Ad Dammam in Saudi Arabia. Aer the initial invasion o Iraq in 2003, PSU 311 and 313 members took on the responsibility o security on the Mina Al Bakr and Khawr Al Amaya gas and oil platorms in the gul that had been The Coast Guard

- Port Security Unit (PSU) 301 – Buffalo, NY/Cape Cod, MA - Port Security Unit (PSU) 302 – Cleveland, OH (in 1995 re-designated PSU 309) - Port Security Unit (PSU) 303 – Milwaukee, WI - Port Security Unit (PSU) 305 – Fort Eustis, VA - Port Security Unit (PSU) 307 – Clearwater, FL - Port Security Unit (PSU) 308 – Kiln, MI - Port Security Unit (PSU) 309 – Port Clinton, OH - Port Security Unit (PSU) 310 – Los Angeles – Long B each, CA - Port Security Unit (PSU) 311 – San Pedro, CA - Port Security Unit (PSU) 312 – Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, CA - Port Security Unit (PSU) 313 – Everett, WA - PSU raining Detachment (RADE) – Camp Lejeune, NC9 250


Patches representing the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs). While most units used a standardized design with the central central element of a shield over a trident and crossed cutlasses, a few created their own distinctive distinctive and and unique unique designs. designs.

Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) (MSSTs)

- MSS 91101 – Seattle, WA - MSS 91102 – Chesapeake, VA (Merged with ACLE North in 2004, and in 2006, became the Maritime Security Response eam [MSR], the Coast Guard’s only high-risk/ counter-terrorism unit.) - MSS 91103 – Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA - MSS 91104 – Houston/Galveston, Houston/Galveston, X - MSS 91105 – San Francisco, CA - MSS 91106 – Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY - MSS 91107 – Honolulu, HI - MSS 91108 – St. Marys, GA - MSS 91109 – San Diego, CA - MSS 91110 – Boston, MA - MSS 91111 – Anchorage, AK - MSS 91112 – New Orleans, LA - MSS 91114 – Miami, FL 10

First established in 2002 in direct response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the MSS was a specialized response unit created to ensure maritime mobility and security. Te first three numbers in the prefix to all MSS unit designations is 911, in memory o the 911 attacks. MSSs conduct port security and deense activities and protect strategic shipping and naval vessels operating in harbors, ports, and anchorages. In addition to general law enorcement enorcement training provided to all Coast Guard boarding personnel, these units received enhanced weapons and special boat tactics training. Each MSS consisted o seventy-five active Coast Guardsmen capable o rapid, worldwide deployment in response to changing threat conditions. Tere were thirteen MSS units located across the United States:


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Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLETs)

Leatherneck, but have traveled to orward bases all over the country. RAID was also deployed in support o Operation Iraqi Freedom, inspecting nearly twenty percent o all the Army’s containers. 12

Te ACLEs and their subordinate LEDES perorm routine maritime law enorcement and provide specialized law enorcement augmentation. First organized organize d in 1982, ACLE ACLEss originally original ly augmented US Navy ships operating in high drug traffic transport areas with a law enorcement team or counter-drug operations. LEDEs also deployed in support o maritime interdiction operations (MIO) in support o OIF. Each ACLE is comprised o nine LEDEs, with nine members assigned assig ned to each LEDE. LEDE. Tey were the Coast Guard’s Guard’s most highly trained and qualified law enorcement specialists. Documented ACLEs are:

Coast Guard Desert Camouflage Utility Uniforms Te USCG wore the DBDU and DCU; the policy or their wear was governed by the local operational commander. Te Desert Camouflage Uniorm was called “Desert Camouflage Utility” by the Coast Guard. It was authorized or Coast Guard personnel assigned to port security units, international maritime law enorcement teams, composite naval coastal warare units, harbor deense command, and Coast

- actical Law Enorcement eam North (ACLE North) – Chesapeake, VA (Merged with MSS 91102 in 2004 to orm the prototype Enhanced Maritime Saety and Security eam [EMSS].) - actical Law Enorcement eam Gul (ACLE Gul) – New Orleans, LA - actical Law Enorcement eam South (ACLE South) – Opa Locka, FL - Pacific actical Law Enorcement eam (PACACLE) – San Diego, CA11

Redeployment Assistance and Inspection Detachments (RAID) Te USCG’s RAIDs conducted several basic types o inspections. Most o their work was ocused on structural seaworthiness o containers, but other duties included inspections or proper loading and labeling o hazardous materials, examination and sealing o shipping containers or customs border clearing, and reviewing shipping credentials. RAID teams had a significant presence in Kuwait, Aghanistan, and Iraq. Te first RAID orces arrived in September 2003, administratively under the Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PAFOR SWA). Te RAID command element was at Camp Arian, Kuwait, and supported the Military Surace Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). In Aghanistan, the detachment’s twelve members ell under the tactical command o Army transportation units. Tese Coast Guardsmen were stationed at Bagram Airfield, Kandahar Airfield, and Camp

This 2003 DCU coat belonged to a Coast Guard petty officer first class. This is representative of the simple early Iraqi Freedom-era Coast Guard DCUs that often only had rank insignia and woven name tapes.

Guard liaison officers to the Department o Deense. Te distinctive Marine Corps style eight-point cap was worn with this uniorm, along with the boonie hat and combat helmet. Direct embroidery on the DCU shirt was not authorized. A distinctive unit emblem worn on the le sleeve o the DCU uniorm as a patch was authorized or each PSU, MSS, and ACLE at the discretion o the unit commander. commander. A standardized patch was worn by the RAIDs, but some teams created their own unique patches. A single embroidered qualiication badge was authorized on the DCU, but this rule was not always adhered to. Coast Guardsmen in the rank o E-3 and below did not wear rank devices on the DBDU or DCU. DCUs worn early in OIF and OEF showed a distinct lack o unit patches, and the name A selection of Redeployment Assistance and Inspection Detachment (RAID) patches worn by Coast Guard tapes were o a woven material personnel who conducted container inspections in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The center patch was the similar to that worn by the authorized patch for RAID units; the other two patches may have been worn, or might have been created as Army. At first, black metal souvenir patches. RAID team members were normally volunteers and among the most senior and experienced pin-on rank/rates were worn. members of the Coast Guard. Courtesy Paul & Noel Reck The Coast Guard

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Petty Officer Third Class E-4

Chief Petty Officer E-7

Petty Officer Second Class E-5

Senior Chief Petty Officer E-8

Petty Officer First Class E-6

Master Chief Petty Officer E-9

Master Chief Petty officer of the Coast Guard E-10

Early “Gold Chevron” Style Petty Officer Rates

Early Theater Made Rate

Rates for Wear on the Working Blue and BDU Uniforms

Petty Officer First Class Port Security Specialist (PS) Rating

The Coast Guard’s enlisted rates on DBDUs and DCUs are similar to the Navy’s. They are worn on each collar point in either tan cloth or black subdued pin-on metal. Early variations of these rates have gold-colored chevrons in the ranks E-4 to E-6. These were replaced by all black rate insignia. Also shown are theater-made, blue working uniform, BDU, and black metal rate badges. On the right is the dress uniform Port Security Specialist (PS) rating for a petty officer first class.

Distinctive gold color sew-on chevrons appeared in enlisted rates o some early uniorms, but this was replaced by all black rate insignia on a tan cloth background. Teater-made enlisted rates have also been observed.

An extremely rare early DCU with all theater-made insignia worn by a Coast Guard Health Services technician (HS1). It includes Arabic/ English name tapes that were eliminated after 2003, as well as theatermade rate and rating insignia. The HS specialty badge was the only Coast Guard enlisted rating worn on the left collar of the DCU. Courtesy Paul & Noel Reck DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Another very early Coast Guard DCU with relatively crude theater-made insignia, including separate Arabic and English name tapes, as well as rate insignia that is all spice brown in color. 253

The Coast Guard

Some very early name tapes also included theater-made Arabic script, but this practice ended by around 2004. Unit patches began to appear on the le shoulder and at some s ome point were mounted on Velcro. Initially, the Coast Guard used the standard one-inch high woven abric name tapes used by all o the US Armed Forces or many years. Coast Guard DCUs have also been ound with “abric strip” strip” style name tapes adopted by the Navy in 2001. Coast Guard abric strip name tapes were made in both the Navy’s larger one and three-quarter-inch high tape and the standard one-inch high tape. Tese tapes were made rom strips o tan 65/35 polyester/ cotton material, material, which is the s ame abric used in the production o rank and qualification badge insignia. Some Coast Guard DCUs have all insignia, rank, name tapes, and patches mounted on Velcro. A number o these were worn by Coast Guardsmen who served at Guantanamo Bay. Tere also appears to have been no standardization or wear o the US flag patch; it is not seen on many early Coast Guard DCUs, but was later worn on the right shoulder. Te size and color o the flag patch (ull color, color, brown, or inra-red version) vary rom  rom uniorm to uniorm. Since the unit commander determined uniorm standards, there were wide variations in what was worn on and with the DCU rom unit to unit. For example, at least one unit (PSU 313) has been observed wearing a black beret with the DCU.

A selection of Coast Guard name tapes from the Navy inspired “fabric strip” style name tape on top to variations of the tan name tape, as well as name tapes worn on the blue working uniform and BDUs.

The Coast Guard

Just one example of diversity on types of equipment worn by Coast Guard units are these members of PSU 313 from Tacoma, Washington— some of which are wearing distinctive black berets—stationed on the Mina al Bakr oil terminal in the North Arabian Gulf off the coast of Iraq in March 2003. Courtesy US Coast Guard

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The DCU coat and eight-point hat belonging to a Coast Guard vice admiral (VADM, and the Coast Guard’s vice commandant) who directly oversaw the Coast Guard’s senior operational and mission support commanders. This uniform features the rarely seen Marine Safety insignia that recognizes professional accomplishment in the Marine Safety program. Courtesy Paul & Noel Reck

A small selection of some of the most common Coast Guard DCU “insignia” denoting (top to bottom) qualification as a port security specialist, cutterman, coxswain, and boat force operations.

Te Coast Guard divided its badges into three categories. Tey include the designation o “insignia,” “insignia,” which denotes a ull range o qualification badges rom pilot or diver to port security, law enorcement detachment, and tactical law enorcement team ba dges. Tese insignia denote a significant level o qualification or designation in specialized fields that meet an established standard o knowledge, training, and experience. Very early DCU versions o these badges were oen small and eatured a distinctive brown merrowed edge. Tey were replaced by a “abric strip” badge that sometimes extended the entire length o the pocket. “Devices” denote command afloat and command ashore experience. Command afloat and c ommand ashore devices are considered equivalent. By tradition, Coast Guard admirals do not normally wear command devices. Finally, “service and identification badges” identiy personnel serving on special assignment. An example o these badges would be the vertical oval senior enlisted command master chie, senior chie, and chie command badges designating senior enlisted command positions in Coast Guard units in a manner similar to the Navy. Regardless o their style or material, USCG desert items remain highly sought aer or their scarcity and uniqueness.


Senior Coast Guard officers in DCUs at the Naval Support Activity Bahrain in 2003, which was the location of the Coast Guard’s Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. A variety of insignia is seen, including (left to right) a US Navy vice admiral with metal pin-on stars; a lieutenant commander with Arabic name tapes and the Cutterman insignia and Command Afloat device; and a captain wearing the Cutterman insignia and both the Command Afloat and Ashore devices. Courtesy Courtesy US US Coast Guard

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The Coast Guard

Coast Guard officers and senior enlisted men in 2003 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. A variety of name tapes and insignia can be observed, Courtesy US US Coast Guard including Arabic name tapes and some early spice brown merrowed edge qualification insignia. Courtesy

The DCU belonging to a petty officer first class assigned to PSU 301 from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This early model DCU features the later all-black rate badges on the collar, as well as the Deployable Operations Group tab arch over the unit’s patch featuring a stylized sea horse.

The Coast Guard

Coast Guardsmen from PSU 301 conduct .50-caliber machine gun training for for deployment deployment under the the watchful watchful eyes of First First Army instructors in May 2009. Note the lack of the Deployable Operations Courtesy US US Army Group tab arch over the unit’s distinctive patch. Courtesy

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The Coast Guard also wore DCUs modified with pockets on the arms as seen on this Port Security Specialist second class from PSU 307 Courtesy US US Coast Guard standing watch at a checkpoint in Iraq. Courtesy

A Coast Guard commander (left) and chief petty officer (right) assigned to PSU 305 from Fort Eustis, Virginia, proudly wear their unit’s dolphin-themed unit patch under the Deployable Operations Group tab arch. The commander wears an unusual black and spice brown insignia denoting advanced qualification in boat force operations.Courtesy operations. Courtesy US US Coast Guard

The DCU of a petty officer 3rd class port security specialist assigned to PSU 307 from Clearwater, Florida. Note the early gold chevron version of the rate, woven woven name tape, and Velcro Velcro-backed -backed patches. patches. Upon Upon close inspection one can see the shadow where the unit patch was previously sewn on the uniform without the Deployable Operations Group tab arch, signifying a transition to this new insignia. During Haitian earthquake relief operations in 2010, some Coast Guard units wore DCUs, including this Port Security Specialist second class from PSU 307 who is examining an injured boy. He is wearing the early gold chevron rates, as well as his distinctive unit patch without the Deployable Operations Group tab arch—very unusual for this late date. Courtesy US Courtesy US Coast Guard DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The Coast Guard

This DCU of a Port Security Specialist second class features a sewn-on Deployable Operations Group tab arch and distinctive unit patch featuring the Golden Gate Bridge held up by two sea horses behind a shark holding a trident in his mouth representing PSU 312 at Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco.

A DCU providing an interesting example of the uniform worn by a member of PSU 308 from Kiln, Mississippi, which served in Cuba in Courtesy Guilhaume Guilhaume Nuydt support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. Courtesy

A uniform of a petty officer second class assigned to PSU 313 from Everett, Washington. This DCU displays the enlisted coxswain’s insignia that signified signified an enlisted enlisted man in charge of a small vessel vessel and all personnel on board. This is a responsibility that is normally only undertaken by officers in the other branches of the military.

An early-style PSU 309 “Trident” patch and Arabic name tape and the Port Security Specialist insignia as worn by a petty officer third class holding his daughter upon return to the US. PSU 309 from Port Clinton, Ohio, appears to have used three separate patches during the desert Courtesy US US Coast Guard period. Courtesy The Coast Guard

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Coast Guardsmen from PSU 313 from Everett, Washington, stand watch on the Mina al Bakr oil terminal off the coast of Iraq in 2003. Note the variety of uniforms worn by this lieutenant and his team members. Primitive conditions and an abundance of rats and bugs on these isolated oil platforms were a challenge for Coast Guardsmen living on Courtesy US US Coast Guard them for extended extended periods periods of time. time. Courtesy

Members of MSST 91101 from Seattle, Washington, attend a ceremony in Cuba where they were relieved from duty after a six-month deployment to Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF GITMO) in 2009. Courtesy US US Several MSSTs and PSUs provided security for JTF GITMO. Courtesy Coast Guard

This example of a late-model DCU as worn by a petty officer second class assigned to MSST 91111 in Anchorage, Alaska, has all insignia, including name tapes and rank, mounted on removable Velcro. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The Coast Guard

Members of MSST 91104 from Galveston, Texas, prepare for a mission in August 2011. Team members are wearing an interesting mix of desert tan Nomex flight suits suits paired with with a variety of helmets and tactical tactical equipment. equipment. Courtesy US Coast Guard

A Coast Guard RAID team inspects equipment in Kuwait in 2004. RAID team members were volunteers who were often very senior and experienced, as evidenced by the master chief petty officer in the foreground foreground who is is wearing a US US Army 25th Infantry Infantry Division Division combat patch on his right arm. Courtesy US Coast Guard

The Coast Guard

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CHAPTER 15

Army Rank, Branch, and Qualifcation Insignia

Tis chapter is dedicated to the rank, branch, and qualification insigni a o the US Army. For inormation about the insignia associated with the other services servic es o the US Armed Forces see their respective chapters. Some may dismiss a chapter on uniorm insignia as a bit lackluster, but knowledge o rank, branch, and qualification insignia, their use, and rarity may provide insight into the desirability o DBDUs and DCUs. DCUs. Te unique combination o badges badge s on a uniorm may also provide understanding o the individual’s individual’s military ser vice and assist the collector in finding more inormation on the solder. For example, a DCU with the less common Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) badge, badge , along with rank and name tape, may provide enough clues to aid the collector in researching the soldier’s career. On the other hand, a low-ranking inantryman with the name “Smith” with a much more common combat inantryman’s badge will be more difficult to trace. A low-ranking Small – X Short uniform like this one could be easily overlooked by a collector, however many of these “plain Jane” DCUs without badges have an interesting story once researched. This uniform was worn by a female sergeant assigned to Utah National Guard’s 142nd MI Battalion of the 300th MI Brigade. She was the lead driver in a convoy that was ambushed in Baghdad early in OIF.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell and US Central Command Commander Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. confer during Operation Desert Storm. Note the pin-on black metal rank insignia and qualification badges and tan name tapes on their DBDUs that were standard for this time period. Gen. Schwarzkopf also wears a leather fob “camel tongue” on his right pocket, signifying his equivalent rank in the Saudi Arabian Army. Courtesy US Army DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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A collector can find hundreds o “plain Jane” DCU uniorms with low rank and no badges through on-line auction sites. Tese soldiers served honorably, oen under arduous combat conditions, and their uniorms deserve to be preserved. Unortunately, Unortunately, most collectors may pass them by or one that contains higher rank or more badges and tabs. During the Desert Storm period and or a ew years aerward, Army regulations prescribed black metal pin-on rank, branch, and qualification badges, so it is not uncommon to see DBDUs devoid o any insignia other than name tapes, unit patches, and tabs. an-colored name tapes can be Army Rank, Branch, and Qualifcation Insignia

An example of an officer’s uniform with black metal subdued captain’s bars on a DBDU uniform with a well-worn woodland green name tape. Although tan name tapes were available at local tailor shops during this period, soldiers often transferred name tapes from their BDUs to the DBDU uniform.

A DBDU coat worn by a sergeant in the 10th Mountain Division in Somalia with the sewn on woodland Combat Infantryman and Parachute Badges. Qualification badges, when worn, were generally pinned on DBDUs during the Desert Storm era. The presence of sewn-on woodland qualification badges was much more common when US forces served in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope 1992–1994. Some soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division saw repeated deployments to Somalia.

For the first year the color black was used or qualification badges and officer branch insignia on a desert-tan desert-t an background. Just thirteen months later (1999), black qualification badges were changed to spice brown on a desert-tan desert-t an background. Tis combination continued to be used through the end o the desert period.

Army Rank Insignia During the desert uniorm period, enlisted soldiers made up about 83% o the Army; 15% were officers and just 3% were warrant officers.1 Te US military used an “alphanumeric” system that identified equivalent grades across all services: officer grades began with “O-,” warrant officer grades a “W-,” and enlisted enlis ted grades/rates grades /rates an “E-.” Although officer ranks are somewhat sel-explanatory, with the possible exception o the Navy, enlisted ranks can be especially challenging or the uninitiated. Te grade E-6, or example, was a staff sergeant in the Army and Marine Corps, a petty officer first class in the Navy and Coast Guard, and a technical sergeant in the Air Force. An example of an NCO’s early rip-stop DCU with black metal subdued pin-on sergeant major rank and a woodland green Third Army patch. Complementing this uniform is an unusual theater-made US Army name tape.

General Officer Rank Insignia Only 2.4% o Army colonels were promoted to brigadier general. Just 302 active Army and 207 reserve component general officers were authorized at any given time, making authentic desert general officer uniorms some o the hardest to find. Although only a ew general officers were assigned to units in the desert, many others, such as the chie o staff o the Army, made requent visits to the region and thus required the appropriate uniorm and headgear.2 General officer insignia was worn on the desert uniorm centered with the top point o the stars acing the neck in a vertical line. 3 Desert-colored general officer rank was also made so all o the top points o the star aced up when worn in a vertical orientation on body armor. As mentioned earlier, earlier, during the Desert Storm period general officers or the most part wore pin-on black metal rank stars. Later these were replaced by black cloth stars that were eventually changed to a spice brown color. color.

ound on uniorms as early as the Dese rt Storm era. Other soldiers sewed on woodland green insignia originally meant or BDUs. Sewn-on qualification badges were only occasionally seen beore the early to mid-1990s, and can be observed on DBDU uniorms worn in Somalia. Be cause o the large deployment o soldiers and the shortage o desert insignia in early OEF/OIF, uniorms uniorms can also be ound rom this period with woodland green insignia. In the 1990s, unauthorized, locally made desert insignia were worn by some units that made requent rotations to Southwest Asia. In 1998, desert-colored cloth rank, branch, and qualification badge insignia were first officially authorized author ized by the US Army Institute o Heraldry. Army Rank, Branch, and Qualifcation Insignia

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Cloth desert general officer rank insignia worn on the DBDU and DCU uniform. General’s rank came in both a horizontal orientation to wear on the hat and collar and vertical orientation to wear on the front of body armor.

Brigadier General O-7

Major General O-8

Lieutenant General O-9

General O-10


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Brigadier General (BG), (O-7), one star: US law limited the number o active Army brigadier generals to 151. An officer o this rank could serve in several senior leadership positions, including deputy commander or Army divisions, command o nondivisional units, US Army schools, department o the Army staff, or in joint commands. commands. Major General (MG), (0-8), two stars: US law limited the number o active Army major generals to 192. A major general typically commanded division-sized units (10,000 to 15,000 soldiers). Lieutenant General (LG), (0-9), three stars: US law limited the number o active Army lieutenant generals to just thirty-seven. Lieutenant generals typically commanded corps-sized units (20,000 to 45,000 soldiers) during this period.

General (GEN), (0-10), our stars: Te most senior level o commissioned officer would typically have over thirty years service. US law limited the number o active Army generals to twelve. During Desert Storm there were eleven Army ull generals. During the much longer OEF/OIF period there were a total o twenty-seven Army our star generals. Full Army generals, such as Gen. John P. Abizaid, who commanded US Central Command through much o the OEF/OIF desert period, normally commanded large geographic areas. General (GEN), (0-11), five stars: Although the rank insignia existed, no US officer served as a five star US general o the Army during the desert period. Te last officers to hold this rank served during and immediately ollowing WWII. Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkop Jr., who commanded coalition orces in Desert Storm, and Gen. Colin Powell, chairman o the joint chies o staff, were briefly considered in 1991 or elevation to this rank in a resolution proposed by Senator Robert Kasten rom Wisconsin.4

US Central Command Commander Gen. John Abizaid in December 2004. Note the spice brown general’s stars on his collar and the very rare combat jump star on his Master Parachute Badge. Gen. Abizaid’s combat jump took place in 1993, during the invasion of Grenada, when he served as a Ranger company commander with the 2nd Battalion, 75th Rangers. Courtesy US Army

Officer Rank Insignia Officer and warrant officer desert period rank was centered horizontally on the right collar one inch rom the lower edge o the collar, with the center line o the insignia parallel to the lower edge o the collar. collar.5

Second Lieutenant (2L), (O-1): During the desert period there were approximately approximately 8,000 second lieutenants in the Army, Army, the entry-level rank or most commissioned officers. Tese officers lead platoon-size elements consisting o the platoon sergeant and two or more squads (16–44 soldiers).

First Lieutenant (1L), (O-2): Tere were around 12,000 first lieutenants in the Army, and they typically led more specialize d platoons and detachments. As a senior lieutenant, they were oen selected to be the executive officer o a company-sized unit. An interesting early 2005 group photo in Iraq with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld flanked by Gen. Abizaid (left) wearing brown general’s stars and Gen. Casey, commanding general of the Multi-National Force – Iraq (far right), wearing contrasting black general’s stars. Courtesy US Army


Captain (CP), (O-3): Tere were around 20,000 captains in the Army—the largest number o officers in any grade. Captains commanded company-sized units (62 to 190 soldiers) and served as staff officers at the battalion level, or as instructors in service schools.

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Standard issue desert officer and warrant officer rank as worn by the US Army. Theater-made versions of these ranks were made in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and elsewhere.

Warrant Officer One W-1

Second Lieutenant O-1

Chief Warrant Officer Two CW-2

First Lieutenant O-2

Chief Warrant Officer Three CW-3

Chief Warrant Officer Four CW-4

Captain O-3

Master Warrant Officer CW-5

Major O-4

Colonel O-6

Colonel brown variation

Chief Warrant Officer Five CW-5

Lieutenant Colonel O-5

Theater-made variations

An excellent example of a DCU coat worn by a major with regimentalnumbered branch insignia. This 82nd Airborne Division Military Intelligence (MI) officer appears to have been assigned to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and wears that unit’s designation above his MI branch insignia on the left collar. Below it are the Combat Action and Parachute Badges. This uniform is also interesting because it is a commercially made TRU-SPEC DCU that was manufactured to government standards, but not made under government contract. These commercially manufactured uniforms were sometimes privately purchased by soldiers.


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Warrant Officer Rank Insignia

Major (MAJ), (O-4): (O-4 ): Tere were around 17,000 majors maj ors in the Army. Majors served as battalion executive officers or primary staff officers at brigade and task orce level and were responsible or personnel and logistical and operational missions.

During the desert period, p eriod, a US Army warrant officer was considered a technical expert, combat leader, trainer, and advisor. Tere were warrant officers in sixteen Army branches, including adjutant general, air deense artillery, aviation, engineer, chemical, field artillery, judge advocate general, medical service, military intelligence, military police, quartermaster, ordnance, transportation, signal, veterinary, veterinary, and Special Forces. Forces. ypically, ypically, junior warrant officers were assigned at the battalion level, while senior warrant officers were assigned at higher levels, such as brigade and above.

Lieutenant Colonel, (LC), (O-5): Tere were around 9,500 lieutenant colonels in the Army. LCs typically commanded battalionsized units (300 to 1,000 soldiers) or served as staff officers at the division or higher level.

Colonel, (COL), (O-6): Tere were around 4,000 colonels in the Army and they typically commanded brigade-sized units (3,000 to 5,000 soldiers). Tey also ser ved as the chie o staff or staff officers or divisional level units and higher level staff agencies.

Warrant Officer One (WO1), (W-1): ( W-1): Tere were around 2,000 WO1s in the Army. Army. WO1s were appointed by warrant rom the t he secretary o the Army and perormed the primary duties o technical leader, trainer, operator, manager, maintainer, sustainer, and advisor. Chie Warrant Officer wo (CW2), (W-2): Tere were approximately 6,500 CW2s in the Army. Chie warrant officers became commissioned officers at this rank as confirmed by the t he president o the United States. CW2s were intermediate level technical and tactical experts who perormed increased duties and responsibilities responsibilities at detachment through battalion levels. Chie Warrant Officer Tree (CW3), (W-3): Tere were approximately 4,000 CW3s in the Army. Tey were advanced level experts who provided direction, guidance, resources, assistance, and supervision necessary or subordinates to perorm their duties. CW3s primarily supported operations levels rom team or detachment through brigade.

Chie Warrant Officer Four (CW4), (W-4): Tere were around 2,000 CW4s in the Army. Tey served as senior level experts and primarily supported battalion, brigade, division, corps, and echelons above corps operations. CW4s typically had special mentorship responsibilities or other warrant officers and provided essential advice to commanders on topics in their area o expertise. Chie Warrant Warrant Officer Five (CW5), (W-5): Tere were only around 650 CW5s in the t he Army. Army. CW5s served ser ved as experts that t hat supported brigade, division, corps, echelons above corps, and major command operations. Tey provided leader development, mentorship, advice, and counsel. In December 1991, the pay grade W-5 was created as a separate ran k. Te new insignia or this master warrant officer (CW5) desert rank took on the appearance o our boxes outlined in black on a tan bar. Later the rank was renamed chie warrant officer five. On July 9, 2004—to coincide with the 86th anniversary o the warrant officer corps—a new rank insignia was authorized consisting o a thin vertical black bar on a larger tan bar. Tis change was made to standardize the CW5 rank insignia among all the services employing them. Four uniforms—two DBDU and two DCU—showing the career progression of Specialist Pizzi through the ranks to warrant officer three. Note the DBDUs used woodland rank and name tapes and the DCUs show a transition to tan and spice brown insignia. The warrant officer two and three three rank insignia insignia are early early versions versions and were made made on a heavy weave tan cloth by a tailor shop just outside McDill Air Force Base, Florida, the home of US Central Command. Army Rank, Branch, and Qualifcation Insignia

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Officer Branch Insignia During the desert period Army officers (and enlisted soldiers) were divided into branches that fit into one o three categories.

Civil Affairs. Responsible or local populace and resources control, oreign nation support, humanitarian assistance, military civil action, civil deense, civil assistance, and civil administration. Insignia approved in 1958.

Combat Arms (CA): Tese were units and soldiers who close with and destroy enemy orces or provide firepower and destructive capabilities on the battlefield. batt lefield. Combat branches o the US Army included air deense ar tillery, armor, armor, aviation, engineers, field artillery, inantry, and Special Forces (SOF).

Engineers. Engineers constructed, construct ed, improved, and maintained routes, bridges, and airfields. Tey reorganized to fight as inantry when required. Insignia adopted in 1840. Field Artillery. Nicknamed the “King o B attle,” field artiller y was the principal means or providing indirect fire support. Tis insignia has been in continuous use since 1834.

Combat Support (CS): Tese units provided critical direct support combat unctions in conjunction with combat arms units and soldiers, including chemical corps, military intelligence, military police corps, signal corps, civil affairs, and psychological operations. Elements o the aviation and engineer branches were also considered CS.

Finance. Provided a commander with financial support or soldiers and non-US military personnel. Insignia in use since 1896. General Staff. Te device was worn by officers detailed in orders to the Army general staff and to general staff with troops. In use since 1904.

Combat Service Support (CSS): CSS units ensured all manner o technical services, including materiel and supply chain management, maintenance, transportation, health services, and other services. Tose branches included the adjutant general’s general’s corps, chaplain corps, finance corps, judge advocate general’s general’s corps, medical corps, ordnance corps, quartermaster corps, and transportation corps.

Inantry. Nicknamed Nicknamed the “Queen o Battle,” Battle,” there were many different types o inantry units, such as airborne, air assault, light, longrange reconnaissance, mechanized, and Ranger. Due to a usual reliance on their own two eet or transportation, inantrymen are oen reerred to as “gravel agitators” or “ground pounders” by members o other branches or services. Insignia in use since 1875.

Branch Insignia On the desert uniorm, an officer’s officer’s branch insignia was centered on the le collar, one inch up rom the lower edge o the collar with the center line o the insignia parallel to the lower edge o the collar. collar.6 Te different branches that served during the desert period were:

Inspector General. Part o the personal staff serving a general in a command position, they served as ombudsmen and ensured combat readiness o subordinate units. Tis insignia has been in use since 1890.

Adjutant Adjutant General’s General’s Corps. Responsible or planning, operating, and managing all human resources support activities, including postal operations and band support. Tis insignia was adopted in 1872.

Judge Advocate General. Te Army’s legal branch concerned with military justice and military law. Insignia in use since 1890.

Medical Corps. Provided all types o medical support to the commander and soldiers with insignia in use since 1851. Te Army’s health care team was also comprised o five other supporting medical corps: dental corps, medical service c orps, medical specialist corps, nurse corps, and veterinary corps. Each o these corps is identified by black letters centered on the caduceus.

Air Deense Artillery. Air deense artillery units provided orce protection against air and missile threats. Insignia authorized in 1968. Armor. Te “combat arm o decision,” the armor branch used the tank as the primary offensive ground weapon in mounted warare. Insignia approved in 1950.

Military Intelligence. Provided early warning o enemy intentions, intelligence preparation o battlefield products, aided in the development o situational understanding, and assisted in target development, orce protection, and battle damage assessment. Worn since 1962.

Aviation. Attack helicopters influenced the battle when ground orces were decisively engaged. Assault aviation provided tactical mobility to airborne, air assault, and light orces. Insignia authorized in 1983. Cavalry. Some armor and aviation units were designated cavalry units. When approved by the commander, commander, all soldiers assigned to cavalry units were authorized to wear the cavalry collar insignia in lieu o their insignia o branch. Insignia officially adopted in 1851.

Military Police. Responsible or protecting, expediting, and monitoring the flow o personnel and materials on the battlefield, as well as conducting internment and resettlement operations or enemy prisoners o war and dislocated civilians. Insignia approved approved in 1922.

Chemical. Provided nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) reconnaissance, decontamination, smoke generation, and obscuration. Tis branch was created and the insignia adopted in 1917, as a result o gas warare taking place in WWI. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Air Defense AD

Adjutant General AG

Civil Affairs CA

Aviation AV

Engineers EN

Infantry IN

Medical Specialist Corps SP

Armor AR

Inspector General IG

Nurses Corp AN

Ordnance OD

Veterinary Corps VC

Psychological Operations PO

Transportation Corps TC

Chaplain Corps CH Christian

Cavalry CAV

Field Artillery FA

Judge Advocate General JA

Military Intelligence MI

Quartermaster QM

Chaplain Corps CH Buddhist

Medical Corps MC

Chemical CM

Finance FI

Dental Corps DC

General Staff GS

Medical Service Corps MSC

Military Police MP

Signal Corps SC

Chaplain Corps CH Jewish

Special Forces SF

Chaplain Corps CH Muslim

A variety of desert insignia each representing the branch of an Army officer. They range from the relatively relatively common Infantry Infantry,, Armor, Armor, and Field Field Artillery branches branches to the rarely seen seen Muslim and Buddhist Chaplain branch insignia. Muslim Chaplain’s insignia is courtesy of of PierreEmmanuel Vergote CID Agent

Warrant Officer


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ransportation. Perorms truck, boat, railroad, and trailer/cargo transer operations. Insignia authorized in 1943, when many o these unctions were split rom the Qu artermaster Corps. Chaplain Corps. Tey advised the t he commander on matters o religion, morals, and morale as affected by religion; including the impact o indigenous religions on the mission. Te symbols were: Christian chaplain – a Latin cross adopted in 1898; Buddhist chaplain - a dharma cakra adopted in 1990; Jewish chaplain - a double tablet adopted in 1918; 1918 ; and Muslim chaplain - a crescent approved approved on January 8, 1993. Other collar insignia i nsignia related to military mi litary specialty. sp ecialty. Te “U.S. “U.S.” insignia was worn by agents o the US Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID). Warrant Warrant Officers wore an eagle emblem on their le collar. Nicknamed the “eagle rising” and the “squashed bug,” it was worn rom 1920 until July 9, 2004. Aer that date warrant officers wore the insignia o their assigned branch.

Branch Insignia with Regimental Numbers

An intriguing uniform worn by a 1st lieutenant Silver Star recipient assigned to the provisional 518th Gun Truck Company in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2004. The Combat Infantryman badge and the 24th Infantry Division combat patch on the right arm denote service in Desert Storm as an infantryman. A Drill Sergeant badge is centered on his right pocket and Air Defense Artillery branch insignia is on his left collar. The Ohio National Guard patch adorns his left arm, completing this unusual assembly of insignia. Courtesy Richard Killblane

Described as “Regimental Collar Insignia” in AR 670-1, these consisted o the officer branch insignia with the numerical designation o the regiment. Officially only combat arms units—Inantry, Armor, Calvary, Field Artillery, Air Deense, Aviation, and Special Forces— officers were authorized to wear regimental numbers above their branch insignia on the desert uniorm.7 Tis insignia was procured by the individual or unit and was not available through normal

Ordnance. Repaired and managed tank automotive/ground mobility materiel, missile materiel, and ammunition materiel, including explosive ordnance disposal. In use since 1832, the Ordnance Corps insignia is considered the oldest branch insignia o the Army. Psychological Operations. Provide the commander with the ability to communicate inormation inormation to non-US audiences via radio, television, leaflets, and loudspeakers. Te PSYOP soldier’s language skills, regional orientation, and knowledge o communication media provide a means o delivering critical inormation to host nation, neutral, and enemy audiences. Insignia authorized in 1990. Quartermaster. Quartermaster. Provides supplies, materiel management, distribution, procurement, and field services (aerial delivery, mortuary affairs, laundry, and bath) to support and sustain soldiers, units, and their equipment. Worn Worn since 1895. Signal. Provides worldwide inormation systems and communication networks. Te Signal Corps insignia has been in use since 1868.

Armor, infantry, and cavalry branch insignia (top row) and Special Forces branch insignia (bottom row) represent units authorized to wear regimental numbers. A wide variety of noncombat arms units wore regimental numbers on their DCU branch insignia, including these examples from the Ordnance, Medical, Transportation, and Medical Service Corps. SF Insignia Courtesy Arch Rigsby

Special Forces. Specially organized, trained, and equipped military experts that achieved objectives by nonconventional nonconventional means in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive areas. Te insignia was authorized in 1987 or officers.


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Desert insignia signifying aides to Army general officers; these insignia for aides to high ranking positions like the chief of staff of the Army and vice chief of staff of the Army are very rare. Courtesy of of PierreEmmanuel Vergote

Aide to Brigadier General

Aide to Major General

Aide to Lieutenant General

Aide to General

Aide to Vice Chief of Staff of the Army

Aide to Chief of Staff of the Army

A modified DCU worn by a Transportation Corps captain assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). In addition to having the pockets moved to the arms, he wears a unit numbered Transportation branch insignia on his left collar and an “A-Pos” blood type indicator on his left arm. Below his left pocket is a DCU colored cloth rank fob indicating his equivalentt Kuwaiti Army rank. Courtesy Paul Madden equivalen

supply channels. In practice, many other branches had DCUs with numbered branch insignia. In some cases regiment and battalion numbers were represented on branch insignia.

General’ss Aides General’ Aides-de-camp were specifically appointed to provide support to general officers occupying command positions. Te general officer’s rank or position determines the grade and number o aides they are authorized. Brigadier general: one lieutenant Major general: one captain: one lieutenant Lieutenant general: one major, major, one captain General: one lieutenant colonel, one major, major, one captain Chie o Staff o the Army: one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, colonel, one major8

Enlisted Rank Insignia Army desert era enlisted rank was centered on both collars, with the center line o the insignia bisecting the points o the collar and the bottom o the insignia (not the cloth backing) positioned one inch up rom the collar point. 9

Private Second Class (PV2), (E-2): Tere were around 27,000 soldiers with this rank in the Army. Army. Teir primary role was to car ry out orders issued to them to the best o their ability. ability.

Private (PV), (E-1): Tis rank does not have insignia. Tere were around 18,000 privates in the Army. Te Army’s lowest rank, normally a trainee who is starting basic combat training (BC).

Private First Class (PFC), (E-3): Tere were around 53,000 private first classes in the Army. Privates Privates first class were promoted promoted to this rank aer one year, or earlier by request o their commander.


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Private E-2

Private First Class E-3

Specialist E-4

Corporal E-4

Sergeant E-5

Staff Sergeant E-6

Sergeant First Class E-7

Master Sergeant E-8

First Sergeant E-8

Sergeant Major E-9

Command Sergeant Major E-9

Sergeant Major of the Army E-10

Desert versions of the Army enlisted rank insignia. Early brown variations exist of all of these ranks.

Brown versions of NCO ranks

Theater-made desert staff sergeant rank insignia on a uniform where all of the other insignia also appear to be theater-made: theater -made: the 101st 101st Airborne Division patch, Parachute and Air Assault badges, and even a theater-made theater -made US Army name name tape. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

271


Sergeant First Class (SFC), (E-7): Tere were approximately approximately 40,000 sergeants first class in the Army. Army. Tey oen served ser ved as a platoon sergeant, providing advice and counsel to the platoon leader. An SFC generally had fifeen to eighteen years o Army experience. Master Sergeant (MSG), (E-8): Tere were approximately 12,000 master sergeants and first sergeants in the Army and they oen served as a s principal staff NCOs at the battalion level or higher. Master sergeants were not charged with all the leadership responsibilities o a 1SG, but were expected to provide leadership and perorm other duties with the same proessionalism. First Sergeant (1SG), (E-8): Te principal advisor to the company commander. Tis was a duty position; once an individual le duty as a first sergeant they reverted back to the rank o master sergeant. Sergeant Major (SGM), (E-9): Tere were approximately 3,500 SGMs and CSMs in the Army. Army. SGMs were primarily responsible or administrative and staff duties. Command Sergeant Major (CSM), (E-9): Te CSM was the senior enlisted advisor to the commander and carried out policies and standards on the pe rormance, training, appearance, and conduct o enlisted personnel. Tere were CSMs at each level o command, rom battalion to brigade, division, and major commands. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Jack Tilley in DCUs on the cover of Desert Voice Magazine shown shown visiting soldiers at Camp Doha, Kuwait, in December 2002, shortly before the beginning of Operation Iraq Freedom. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Tilly wears the distinctive insignia authorized a decade earlier in 1991, featuring the coat of arms of the United States between the two stars stars in the center center of the the insignia. insignia. Courtesy US Army

Sergeant Major o the Army: Army: Six stripes with a special dev ice in the center. Tere was only one sergeant major o the Army. Tis position served as the senior enlisted advisor and consultant to the chie o staff o the Army. Army. Prior to 1991, this rank consisted o two stars centered inside the six stripes. In 1991, the insignia or sergeant major o the Army was changed to add the coat o arms o the United States between the two stars in the center o the insignia.

Specialist (SPC), (E-4): Tere were around 120,000 specialists and corporals, making it the largest group o soldiers in the Army. As a result, collectors will see large numbers o desert uniorms with specialist rank insignia.

Combat and Special Skill Badges A total o our combat and special skill badges could be worn on the uniorm at one time. Combat badges had precedence over specia l skill badges when grouped together. For example, when a soldier has earned the t he combat inantryman inantr yman’’s badge and expert inantryman inantr yman’’s badge, only the combat inantryman’s badge was worn. Te bottom o the badge was centered one and a hal ha l inches above the US Army name tape and one-hal inch space between badges i more than one was worn.10

Corporal (CPL), (E-4): Te lowest ranking Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) and normally only ound in combat arms unit such as inantry, armor, field artillery, etc. Corporals served as team leaders o the smallest Army units and were responsible or individual training o their soldiers. Sergeant (SG), (E-5): Tere were around 75,000 sergeants, making it the second se cond largest group o soldiers in the Army. Tey typically lead a squad (9 to 10 soldiers). Sergeants are considered to have the greatest impact on soldiers because they provide direct supervision o lower ranking soldiers in their daily tasks.

Expert Inantryman Badge (EIB): Awarded to inantrymen and Special Forces soldiers who completed a number o grueling prerequisite tasks and passed a battery o graded tests on basic inantry skills. ypically ypically only five to ten percent o inantrymen earned this prestigious badge. Te EIB was authorized in 1943.

Staff Sergeant (SSG), (E-6): Tere were around 60,000 staff sergeants sergeant s in the Army and usually they led a squad o nine to ten soldiers.


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Desert versions of Combat Infantryman badges, Expert Infantryman badge, and Combat Action badge.

Combat Infantryman’s Badge

Desert versions of the Combat Medical Badge and the Expert Field Medical Badge.

Combat Infantryman’s Badge black variation Expert Field Medical Badge

Comb Co mbat at In Infa fant ntry ryma man’ n’s Bad Badge ge Se Seco cond nd Aw Awar ard d

Comb Co mbat at In Infa fant ntry ryma man’ n’s Bad Badge ge Th Thir ird d Awa Award rd

Combat Medical Badge First Award

Combat Infantryman’s Badge Fourth Award

Expert Infantryman’s Badge

Combat Medical Badge Second Award

Combat Action Badge

Combat Action Badge Third Award

Combat Medical Badge Third Award

A Joint Readiness Training Center staff sergeant’s DCU displaying the Expert Infantryman’s badge and the Parachute and Air Assault badges. Early in OIF and OEF, the Combat Infantryman’s badge and combat patch were awarded after a unit returned from Iraq or Afghanistan. That practice changed around the end of 2003 and early in 2004.


Variation – Combat Medical Badge First Award

273

Variation – Expert Field Medical Badge


Combat Inantry Badge (CIB): Awarded to inantrymen and Special Forces soldiers at the rank o colonel and below who personally ought in active ground combat while assigned as members o an inantry, Ranger, or Special Forces unit. Stars were added at the top o the t he wreath to indicate subsequent awards: one star or the second award, two stars or the third award, and three stars or the ourth award. It was unusual to see a star or additional awards o the CIB during the desert era. An inantryman who served in Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, or Desert Storm and who later served in either Iraq or Aghanistan would be authorized to wear a CIB with a star denoting a se cond award. Te CIB was authorized in 1943.

Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB): Awarded to medical personnel who successully completed a set o qualification tests, including written and perormance portions. Soldiers who had been awarded the EFMB and CMB are not authorized to wear both badges simultaneously and the CMB has precedence o wear. Te EFMB was authorized in 1965. Combat Medical Badge (CMB): Any member o the Ar my medical department departme nt (colonel or below) assigned or attached to a ground combat arms unit o brigade or smaller size that provided medical support during any period in which the unit was engaged in active ground combat was eligible or award o the CMB. Stars were added at the top and bottom o the wreath to indicate subsequent awards: one star or the second award and two stars or the t hird award. Te CMB was authorized in 1945.

Combat Action Badge (CAB): Te CAB provides special recognition to noninantry soldiers who personally engaged the enemy or were engaged by the enemy during combat operations. Te CAB was authorized in 2005, near the end o the deser t uniorm era. Te Institute o Heraldry designed versions o t he CAB or additional awards with one to three stars at the top o the wreath to indicate the second through ourth awards, but only the first award o the CAB was worn during the desert period.

Army Aviator Aviator Badge: Te Army Aviator Aviator Badge denoted an officer or warrant officer pilot who had successully succe ssully completed aviation related training and experience and was qualified to fly one or more types o Army aircra. It came in three grades: basic, senior (seven years o service and 1,000 flight hours), and master (fieen years o service and 2,000 flight hours). Te aviator and senior aviator badges were approved approved in 1950; the master aviator badge was approved in 1957. Flight Surgeon Badge: Te Army Flight Surgeon Badge was presented to qualified medical officers who were graduates o the US Army flight surgeon primary course. Te badge came in three grades: basic, basic , senior, and master. Each grade was based ba sed on years o service and flight hours. Aircra Crewmen Badge: Generally worn by Army enlisted personnel who had served ser ved in flight crew positions on Army aircra. Te badge came in three grades: basic, senior, and master. Each grade was based on years o service and flight hours. In 2000, the Army officially changed the name o the Aircra Crewman Badge to the Army aviation badge. Tis badge was originally approved approved in 1957.

Parachute Badges: Te Parachute Badge designated a soldier who was trained as a military parachutist. Te basic parachutist badge was earned afer completion o the three-week basic airborne course at the Army Inantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Qualification or senior and master parachute badges required the soldier to be qualified as a jumpmaster and participate in a minimum number o parachute jumps or each level, as well as service on jump status with an airborne unit or a number o months. Since 1983, a combat jump device consisting o a bronze star was authorized on the parachute badge or a soldier who completed an airborne jump into a combat zone. On the desert parachute badge these stars could be gold or black. Te gold stars were oen reerred to as the “mustard stain” because o their color. Desert parachute badges with up to our combat jump jump device stars have been observed, but it is rare to see a parachute badge with more than one star on a uniorm. The Expert Field Medical Badge is prominently displayed on this sergeant’s DCU coat. Like the Combat Infantryman’s Badge early in OIF and OEF, the Combat Medical Badge was not awarded until after a unit returned from Iraq or Afghanistan. Army Rank, Branch, and Qualifcation Insignia

274


Basic Army Aviator Badge

Basic Flight Surgeon Badge

Basic Aircraft Crewman’s Badge

Senior Army Aviator Badge

Senior Flight Surgeon Badge

Senior Aircraft Crewman’s Badge

Master Army Aviator Badge

Master Flight Surgeon Badge

Master Aircraft Crewman’s Badge

Desert versions of the Aviator, Flight Surgeon, and Aircrew badges.

Senior Army Aviator Badge black variation

Theater Made Basic Aircraft Crewman’s Badge

Two Army flight suit name tags featuring the Basic Aircrew Badge belonging to the same specialist assigned to A Company, 3-158th Aviation Regiment, which served in Afghanistan. The well-worn cloth tan name tape is crudely crudely made and locally locally procured, procured, featuring Arabic script of the soldier’s name. The black leather name tape is the standard US-made style.


275


Parachute Badge

Senior Parachute Badge

Master Parachute Badge

Master Parachute Badge Combat Star

Parachute Badge black variation

Senior Parachute Badge black variation

Master Parachute Badge black variation

Master Parachute Badge Combat Star black variation

One Combat Jump

Two Combat Jumps

Three Combat Jumps

Four Combat Jumps

The great variety of the desert versions of Parachute Badges. In addition to spice brown or black Parachute Badges, a nearly endless combination of combat stars can be observed.


276


This 82nd Airborne Division sergeant’s uniform features a Basic Parachute Badge below the Combat Action Badge, indicating this individual was not an infantryman, but rather a member of one of the many other Army branches that saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Military Freefall Parachutist Badge with 1999 Copyright

The uniform of a rigger-qualified quartermaster major assigned as the 82nd Airborne Division’s Parachute Officer. It was worn in 2003 during OEF in Kandahar, Afghanistan. His tan qualification badges include the Master Parachutist and Parachute Rigger Badges. On the right, he and his warrant officer are supervising the loading of six 500-gallon fuel blivets onto a large airdrop platform. Parachute Riggers served a vital role, providing aerial delivery of supplies and equipment to US forces in the most rugged rugged and remote mountainous mountainous areas areas of Afghanistan Afghanistan.. Courtesy of Keith Fegler

Military Free Fall Parachute Badge: Tis badge signified soldiers who qualified as a high altitude parachute specialist. Recipients Recipients o this badge have earned the t he parachutist badge and must have completed the requisite ree all (night, combat equipment, oxygen) jumps. o o earn the military master ree all parachutis p arachutistt badge a soldier must have completed the military ree all jumpmaster jumpmaster course. Tese badges were first worn in 1994, under local authorization by soldiers assigned to the Army Special Operations Command. In 1997, they were authorized or Army-wide wear.

Master Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge

Parachute Rigger Badge

Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge variation

Parachute Rigger Badge: Te Parachute Rigger Badge was awarded upon graduation rom a parachute rigger course as specified by the US Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia. Parachute riggers packed, inspected, and repaired personal parachutes, as well as rigged supplies and equipment or parachute drops. Created in 1948 and worn under local approval by parachute rigger units, it was authorized or Army-wide wear in 1986.

Theater-made Parachute Rigger Badge

Air Assault Badge: Awarded or completion o the ten-day ten -day air assault course, which included training on combat air assault operations, rigging and sling load operations, and repelling rom a helicopter. helicopter. It was established in 1974 and approved or Army-wide wear in 1978.

Desert tan version of the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge and Parachute Rigger Badge. Early desert versions of the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge contain a 1999 copyright in the lower right corner. The design was originally copyrighted by James Phillips, who later transferred his copyright copyright to the US Army Institute Institute of Heraldry. Heraldry.

Pathfinder Badge: Awarded to soldiers who successully completed the US Army Pathfinder School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Tis badge was earned by demonstrating proficiency in sling load rigging and execution, planning and execution o helicopter landing zones (HLZ), air traffic control operations, operations, and aerial aeria l delivery o troops and supplies. It was approved or wear in 1964. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Desert versions of the Air Assault and Pathfinder Badges.

Air Assault Badge

Pathfinder Badge

A variety of Divers’ Badges worn by Army soldiers. The majority of Army divers were engineer or Special Forces soldiers. Divers conducted underwater reconnaissance, demolition, and salvage operations.

Theater-made Air Assault Badge

Second Class Diver Badge

Salvage Diver Badge

First Class Diver Badge

Master Diver Badge

Pathfinder Badge black variation

Scuba Diver Badge

An intriguing DCU coat with a 1999 contract date belonging to a quartermaster lieutenant colonel. One might assume the somewhat crude Quartermaster Branch and Air Assault Badges are theater-made, but they and the US name tape were most likely made at a tailor shop just outside the gates of MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Army Rank, Branch, and Qualifcation Insignia

Special Operations Diver Badge

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Special Operations Diving Supervisor Badge


Desert tan versions of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.

Basic Bas ic Exp Explos losive ive Ord Ordna nanc nce e Dis Dispo posal sal Bad Badge ge

Senior Sen ior Ex Explo plosiv sive e Ord Ordna nanc nce e Dis Dispo posal sal Bad Badge ge

Master Mas ter Exp Explos losive ive Ord Ordnan nance ce Dis Dispo posa sall Bad Badge ge

Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge variation

Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge variation

Theater-made Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge

Diver Badges: Tere were five types o diver badges authorized or qualification by the Army: Scuba Diver Badge, Second-Class Diver Badge, Salvage Diver Badge, First-Class Diver Badge, and Master Diver Badge. Te Scuba Diver B adge was renamed the Special Operations Diver Badge in 2004, with a ne w design approved and an additional skill level—Special Operations Diving Supervisor Badge—created. Te second class, salvage; first class; and master diver badges were approved approved in 1944.

Career Counselor Badge: Te career counselor badge was awarded to graduates o the nine-week Army Career Counselor Course conducted at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Tese qualified soldiers were assigned as career counselors or reenlistment advisors in units Army-wide. It was established in 1971. Drill Sergeant Badge: Tis badge was awarded to any NCO who completed the drill sergeant course at any US Army drill sergeant school and had been assigned to drill sergeant duties. Drill sergeants were charged with teaching military recruits t he skills they need to perorm as members o the Army. Army. It was nicknamed the “pumpkin patch” patch” because o its pumpkin-like shape. It was established in 1958.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Badges: Te basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge was earned on successul completion o the thirty-eight-week EOD course at the Naval School o Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. On completion, the soldier was qualified qualifi ed as an EOD technician. Tis badge was nicknamed the “crab” “crab” or its distinctive c rablike shape. Tis badge was awarded in three thre e levels (basic, senior, se nior, and master), with advancement to higher levels based on months/years o experience and supervisory responsibilities. Te basic and supervisor (later changed to senior) badges were authorized in 1957; the master badge was authorized in 1969.

Recruiter Badges: Tis badge was awarded to graduates o the Army Recruiter Course at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and aer 1995, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Recruiters who had satisfied specific recruiting goals were authorized to wear the basic recruiter identification badge. Additional criteria were required to earn the gold recruiter identification badge. Tis badge was originally authorized in 1966.

Identification Badges: Most identification badges were worn centered on the breast pocket between the bottom o the po cket flap and the bottom o the pocket. pocket . Te Army recruiter’s recruiter’s badge and career counselor’s counselor’s identification badge were worn centered on the t he le breast pocket o the uniorm and the drill sergeant’s sergeant’s badge was worn centered on the right breast pocket. 11


Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badges: First introduced in the mid-1970s, there were three versions representing the basic, s enior, enior, and master badges.

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Desert tan version of the Recruiting, Retention, and Drill Sergeant Badges.

Career Counselor Badge

Basic Recruiter Identification Badge

Drill Sergeant Badge

Basic Recruiter Identification Badge variation

Basic National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge


Theater-made Drill Sergeant Badge

Basic Recruiter Identification Badge variation

Senior National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge

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Recruiter Identification Badge Variation

Master National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge


omb Guard o the Unknown Soldier Badge: Tis badge was awarded to soldiers qualified qualifie d to guard the omb omb o the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. It was made in desert colors, but it would be very rare, since only 645 have been awarded since it was established in 1957. Jungle Expert Patch: Te desert version o the jungle expert patch was a quasi-official pocket patch worn by graduates o the Jungle Expert Course at the Jungle Operations raining raining Center conducted at Fort Sherman, Panama, until the school was inactivated in 1999. Tis course consisted o three weeks o rigorous inantry training in the dense jungle. Although never officially approved by the Army, local commanders somet imes authorized its wear on soldiers’ uniorms. It It was worn centered on ether the right or lef breast pocket depending on the command.

Three versions of the Recruiting Badge worn on the left pocket of the DCU coat. The Combat Medical Badge can also be observed on the uniform to the far left. The black background of the Recruiting Badge on the far right right indicates indicates the wearer wearer earned the the Gold Recruiter’ Recruiter’ss Badge. This uniform is also interesting because it displays the early spice brown colored “Sergeant First Class” rank insignia.

Undoubtedly the rarest desert qualification badge, this Tomb Guard Badge was worn by Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. These soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard), elements of which served in Iraq 2003–2004. This was the first deployment of the Old Guard since the Vietnam War. Courtesy of of PierreEmmanuel Vergote


The Jungle Expert patch was worn centered on the right upper pocket by graduates of the Army’s Jungle Expert course at Fort Sherman, Panama. Since this patch was authorized by local commanders it was sometimes worn on the upper left pocket. The last Jungle Expert class was conducted in 1999.

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A selection of Army authorized tabs. The stack of Special Forces, Ranger, and Airborne tabs on the right is often called the “tower of power,” representative of the soldier’s experience and skill while assigned to an airborne or special operations unit. Addition of the Sapper tab to the “tower of power” is uncommon, but possible. US Army Band Tab Courtesy of Tim Bartholow

Tabs All tabs were worn centered one-quarter inch below the shoulder seam o the uniorm sleeve. Te president’s hundred, Ranger, Special Forces, and sapper qualification tabs were only worn on the le sleeve. 12

Qualification Qualificati on abs. abs. Te Ranger, sapper, and Special Forces tabs were qualification tabs permanently awarded to soldiers who graduated rom these respective schools. President’s Hundred ab: A marksmanship tab or the best o the best o military marksman. It was authorized or soldiers who qualified on the pistol or rifle as the top one hundred scoring competitors in the President’s Match held annually at the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. Recipients o this tab also received receive d a signed letter rom the president o the United States.

It is extremely difficult to find a DCU coat with an Army band tab. The role of military bands is to provide music to enhance unit cohesion and morale. This example, with the tab of the USAREUR band over the USAREUR patch, represents the US Army Europe Band (33rd Army Band), which wore the desert uniform during performances in Kuwait and Iraq. Army Rank, Branch, and Qualifcation Insignia

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Unit abs Unit tabs were authorized or wear above the patch o specially designated units.

Airborne: Te airborne tab is authorized to be worn over the patch o a variety o units designated by the Army as “Airborne.” Te 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) wears the airborne tab to honor its WWII airborne heritage. Mountain: Te Mountain tab was by tradition worn above the shoulder sleeve patch o the 10th Mountain Division (Light Inantry). Te Mountain tab was first authorized or the 10th Mountain Division in November 1944. Desert uniorms have also been obser ved with the Mountain ab ab above the 1st Army patch. Tese were worn by members o the Vermont National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 172nd Inantry (Mountain). Honor Guard: Tere were two authorized desert versions o the honor guard tab: one, with a spice brown background and tan letters, was designated or wear by members o the 3rd US Inantry Regiment (the “Old Guard”), Guard”), the Army’s Army’s ceremonial unit in Washington, Washington, DC; a second tab with a tan background and spice brown letters was worn by select honor guard units throughout the US Army. Te tan background has been observed being worn by the Old Guard on D CUs. Pershing: Members Members o the 56th Field Artiller y Command wore the Pershing tab—representing the Pershing II missile—above their unit patch until they were disbanded in 1991. Although the 56th Field Artillery Command patch has been made in desert, examples o the accompanying Pershing tab have not been observed in desert colors. Band: Each Army band had its own unique band tab worn above the patch o their parent unit. Several o these tabs can be ound in desert colors, including the US Army Band, V Corps Band, USAREUR Band, RADOC Band, 29th Army Band, and the 248th Army Band.


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CHAPTER 16

The Tales of a Thousand and One Nights

In the course o researching and writing any military history there are always people, processes, events, and episodes that dey easy categorization. Sometimes these events take on legendary status, becoming well known. Other times they remain obscure and are only talked about by participants while reminiscing among themselves. Perhaps surprisingly, in a book developed to describe something as straightorward as uniorms and patches, there are a number o these unusual or un ique vignettes. What ollows is our attempt attempt to organize, sequence, and explain some things that seem to dey organization, organization, sequencing, or explanation. Necessity is the Mother of Invention in the 7th ransportation Group (1990–1991) Te 24th ransportation Battalion (erminal) rom Fort Eustis, Virginia, was a very early deploying unit in support o Desert Dese rt Shield/ Storm. Te battalion headquarters and one o its units—the 119th ransportation Company (erminal)—was alerted on August 7, 1990, and arrived at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on August 10. Its assigned mission was to unload inbound aircraf with arriving personnel and equipment and later discharge ocean vessels loaded with logistics supplies, unit equipment, and personnel. On arrival, the other units o the battalion and then additional US Army Reserve units were assigned to the 24th to support the mission. Te ammunition prepositioned ships were the first to arrive at the Port o Dammam and discharge operations commenced as soon as the vessels were secured. Te unit’s soldiers had deployed with a hot weather issue o equipment, including two sets o DBDUs. All units worked twelvehour shifs (7 to 7), with two hours in between or equipment maintenance and shif change. With the August Saudi Arabian heat becoming an increasingly important actor Lt. Col. James (Sluggo) Ebertowski and his staff quickly determined the troops working in the holds o the ships discharging ammo were struggling to keep cool in their DBDUs. Lt. Col. Ebertowski dispatched his Battalion S-4, 1st Lt. Charlotte Callari, and her supply team to nearby Dammam and Dhahran to see what solutions could be ound to provide the troops with cooler work uniorms. Whatever the solution was, it would also require sufficient numbers

One of the few remaining sets of overalls used by soldiers and civilians assigned to the 7th Transportation Group in the ports of Ad Dammam and Jubail. Note the variety of identification cards required for access to the port port facilities facilities clearly marked marked with the 7th’ 7th’ss motto, “Resolute.” “Resolute.”

A US Army civilian attached to the 7th Transportation Group poses for a picture in February 1991, while wearing one of the overalls overalls issued to to workers in the the ports. The Tales of a Thousand and One Nights

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to enable the laundry acilities to keep them clean and serviceable or the ever-growing orce. Lt. Callari returned with several alternatives and a meeting was held with battalion staff, unit commanders, and senior NCOs. Te consensus choice was a lightweight khaki-colored set o coveralls. Tese were then shown to the troops and their approval was overwhelming and positive. Callari purchased the coveralls and hired a local tailor to sew unit insignia, rank, name, and “US Army” tags on them. Te coveralls were then shown to 7th ransportation Group Commander Col. Dave Whaley and 22nd Support Command Commander Lt. Gen. Gus Pagonis, who both ully endorsed the wear o the khaki coveralls. Te coverall uniorm was worn by all 22nd Support Command, 7th ransportation Group erminal Service units throughout throug hout the buildup, war, war, and retrograde operation. Members o the 7th ransportation Group were the very last to leave the ports as they shipped home the final pieces o unit equipment. Te soldiers o the 7th and their unique work uniorm had lived up to their motto, “First in and last out!” 1

A Saudi brigadier general “camel tongue” rank. This silver style rank was generally worn by US Air Force personnel, but it has been observed being worn by Army personnel as well. Unlike the gold version, which had a high luster, this silver badge has a dull finish. Courtesy Arch Rigsby

uniorm. Tey were generally serving in joint billets or in Special Operations units where they would regularly encounter Saudi military, military, or were attached to coalition units. Tere were several variations o these locally made pocket hangers. Te pocket ob was made o leather or a vinyl “pleather” material that could be tan or brown. Te Saudi badges were either gold (gilt) or silver. It is thought the silver versions were worn by the Air Force and the gold by the other services. Te Saudi rank could also be subdued, painted black to match the DBDU. Te distinctive round Saudi badge at the bottom o the ob is believed to be a hat badge and variations o this exist. Tese obs were designed to attach to the DBDU pocket and were normally worn suspended rom the inside button o the right chest pocket. Aer Desert Storm, variations o this ob continued to be worn by military personnel assigned to the US embassy, as well as the United States Military raining Mission (USMM) in Saudi Arabia and the Program Manager-Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program (OPM-SANG).

Saudi “Camel ongue” Rank Te Kingdom o Saudi Arabia was indispensable to the allied allie d buildup beore Desert Storm and provided extensive support, including port, logistics, and base resources, such as King Khalid Military City. As hundreds o thousands o US service members streamed into Saudi Arabia, coordination became essential with Royal Saudi land, air, and naval orces. Only a ew soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines were authorized to work with the Saudis and wear the distinctive “camel tongue” Saudi military rank on the pocket o their

Homefront Patriotic Items and oys (1990–1991) Perhaps determined not to repeat the homeront pro-war/anti-war pro-war/anti-war dilemma experienced during the Vietnam conflict, the American public strongly supported US military efforts throughout Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During the early buildup in August to October 1990, every night on television film ootage was shown o soldiers, airmen, and Marines arriving in Saudi Arabia. Most took the time to send verba l messages to their amilies and hometowns. Quickly the public realized that many o their amily and neighbors were serving in the campaign to liberate Kuwait. Numerous organizations started programs to write to the soldiers or send them “care” packages. oy and sports card manuacturers quickly produced a line o products showing support or the troops.

Two interesting examples of Saudi “camel tongue” rank worn by US service members during Desert Storm: on the left is the Saudi officer rank for a lieutenant colonel and on the right is the Saudi enlisted rank of sergeant, which was roughly equivalent to a sergeant first class (E-7) in the US Army. These are relatively rare, as only a select group of US officers and NCOs were authorized to wear them. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Among the many items provided to the troops during Desert Storm were sports gear and such useful tools as this flyswatter. The size, number, and ferocity of the flies in Saudi Arabia was an unpleasant surprise to many of the US forces there. 285


In an unexpected turn of events, the US military’s participation in Desert Storm and Desert Shield led to the creation of a number of “bubble gum” card sets. Returning veterans were pleasantly surprised to see cards describing their service and exploits had become popular collectibles.

-shirt manuacturers also quickly developed and sold numerous examples o patriotic and/or anti-Saddam Hussein shirts and hats, most bearing some version o the “chocolate chip” camouflage pattern. Te “yellow ribbon”—derived ribbon”—derived rom a period song about a homecoming celebration—soon came to symbolize popular support or the servicemen in the Gul region and implied hope or an imminent and victorious return home. Another war and use for overalls; in this case, these soldiers are crewmen of the 518th Combat Gun Truck Company (Provisional). Though unauthorized, these uniforms and their personalized patches were popular among the soldiers who performed dirty and dangerous work escorting supply convoys in Iraq 2004–2006. Courtesy Richard Killblane

A most unique perspective, My War was was written by Kathleen Cochran, wife of a US Army officer assigned to work with the Saudi Arabian National Guard in Riyadh. With the onset of the allied forces’ air air campaign against the Iraqi Army in January 1991, she soon found herself dealing with the twin concerns of watching her husband prepare to deploy to the front while discovering she and her three children were as much a SCUD target as the rapidly growing Coalition force. Cover design by Debbie Celusniak


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Necessity is the Mother of Invention in the 7th ransportation Group, Part 2 (2003–2006) As the war in Iraq metamorphosed into a violent and increasingly dangerous occupation, the need to keep Coalition orces supplied became one o the main ocused efforts. Harkening back to the war in Vietnam, Army transporters began the very serious s erious and requently harrowing job o running convoys throughout the country. Initially using homemade armor to harden their vehicles against enemy attacks, the soldiers soon added gun trucks or convoy protection. As a result, the truckers developed their own esprit de corps and once again coveralls—many o them the one-piece Nomex flight suit—became a common sight in the war zone. Equally important, the soldiers driving and protecting the convoys were joined by sailors and airmen who took the same fierce pride in driving through enemy territory on a daily basis. ba sis. Very Very soon the t he tailor shops in Kuwait and Iraq began to produce the unofficial patches o these warriors and their units. As beore, the coveralls became the perect place to display unit and individual patches. Novelty Patches, Souvenir Patches, and the Loca l ailor Shop During Desert Storm the groundswell o support or the US military by the American public did not escape the attention o insignia manuacturers. Hundreds Hundreds o different types o patriotic and humorous novelty patches, pins, and buttons were made. Many were sold directly through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and the Navy Exchange (NEX). Te most common and most copied was a rectangular, semi-cylindrical patch made by the Denmark Military Equipment Company. It appropriately resembled a shield carried by Roman legionaries. It evolved over time in design rom Operation Desert Shield to Operation Desert Storm and ultimately “Mission Accomplished. Accomplished.” Even though the packages or these patches p atches were clearly marked “Tis patch is not authorized or wear on any uniorm,” uniorm,” we have ound several se veral DBDUs worn by civilians in-theater in-t heater with this patch attached to the arm. Shown here is a representative sample o other Desert Storm era novelty patches that are so numerous they could be the topic o a book in their own right.

The 518th Combat Gun Truck Company was based at Camp Navistar, on the Kuwait-Iraq Kuwait-Iraq border. border. After modifying modifying a number number of vehicles vehicles with improvised armor and machine guns, the 518th provided convoy security. As a more formal convoy escort doctrine developed, more units were provided for the mission and the 518th disbanded in April 2005. This is a theater-made theater -made patch patch worn by soldiers soldiers of the the 518th.

A young field artillery captain assigned to one of the convoy escort companies. Note the troops in the background are wearing the Army Combat Uniform (ACU), indicating this photo was taken during the transitional transition al period, as as desert-colored desert-colored uniforms uniforms were being being phased out in the Army. Army. Courtesy Richard Killblane Just as numerous but infinitely more creative were many of the humorous or “I was there” novelty patches that were available. Shown here is a representative sample of these novelty patches from the Desert Storm period.


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There was no shortage of unofficial humorous or “Desert Storm Victory” patches available for service members in theater and back at home stations. While the US versions are easy to find, some of the other coalition countries’ versions, such as the Canadian and French examples shown here (center), are much harder to find.

A sample of three different USMC souvenir patches reflecting participation in Desert Storm and OIF. Task Force Papa Bear (upper left) was created from units of the 1st and 9th Marine Regiments, as well as some engineer and tank units. The task force took part in the attack towards the Kuwaiti oil fields and Kuwait City in February 1991.


Another sample of USMC souvenir patches, including one (upper right) for the 3rd Battalion Battalion of the the 8th Marines—an Marines—an infantry infantry unit—and unit—and the 1st Battalion Battalion of the 10th Marines—an artillery unit. The two scroll devices are commonly found for all USMC posts and operational campaigns or exercises, i.e., Desert Storm, Norway, etc.

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Providing many of the theater-made patches, hats, and jackets worn by soldiers in Iraq were tailor shops such as this one at Camp Anaconda in Iraq. Of note here are the patches on the front counter reflecting combat participation by some units whose last overseas deployment was during WWII. Courtesy Richard Killblane

The Camp Anaconda tailor shop, showing the incredible variety of patches available for purchase. There is a mixture of DCU and ACU patches available, indicating the ACUs are now starting to become the standard uniform and the DCU is being phased out. Courtesy Richard Killblane DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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A tailor shop at a US base in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, providing patches, banners, guidons, and name tapes. By this point the ACU had almost completely replaced the ACU for Army units and only a few desert-colored patches remain on the wall. Even at this later date, DoD civilians were still being issued and wearing the DCU as their work uniform. Reflecting US military humor, some of the Velcro-backed name tapes are for “Redneck,” “Grateful Dad,” “Tattoo,” and “ShowStoppa.” Courtesy Paul Madden

During every US military operation there is always a common feeling that some soldiers have cushy, safe jobs while others do all the hard, dangerous work. This patch pokes fun at that feeling by proclaiming the wearer is a “Fobbit,” and therefore remains safely at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), leaving the tough work to others. ItIt was worn occasionall occasionallyy as a joke by a soldier soldier of the 11th ACR while serving in Mosul from January to December 2005. Courtesy CW4 Luis Sanchez and CW4 Andrew Foreman The Tales of a Thousand and One Nights

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Certainly reflecting the longer duration and more intense atmosphere of OEF and OIF, many of the novelty patches of this period have a more sarcastic or bitter edge to them. Nonetheless they, like the earlier versions, continue to show the individual serviceman’s pride in his service and ability to make fun of his current predicament.

During OIF/OEF, almost every US base in Iraq, Kuwait, and Aghanistan, as well as many surrounding surrounding countries, had local tailor and alteration shops that did a thriving business. Perorming every sewing task rom altering uniorms to creating shoulder patches, these local artisans were oen backlogged by the tremendous volume o orders or sewing and souvenirs. s ouvenirs. Ironically, Ironically, some o the soldiers deployed to the war zones were also collectors o militaria and, remembering the value o VietnamVietnamera theater-made patches, had these crasmen create a number o unique items or their own collections collecti ons and or resale. As a result, a number o “collector market” patches are ound or units that were either not in existence during the desert period nor ever deployed there.

A collection of theater-made desert tabs; while some are obvious, others have meanings known only to the servicemen that ordered them from their local tailor shop. Courtesy Vance Zemke

Army Aviators and Teir Unique Patches Aviators rom all branches o the US Armed Forces are a unique group o proessionals. Army aviators and air crew members are no exception. Flying under the most hazardous combat conditions, oen in lightly armed helicopters, they are a close knit community. Wearing an aviation company or battalion patch with pride on the flight suit is a long tradition going back to the Vietnam War and perhaps earlier to the leather flight jackets o WWII. Tere seems to be an endless number o variations o these patches, as some units had unique patches made or each rotation o OIF or OEF. OEF. We have selected a representative sample worn by various fixed and rotary wing Army aviation units. A large number of unit-specific patches were made for wear on flight suits by members of Army aviation battalions and companies during the desert period. Here are a few examples representing a variety of Army aviation units that served in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.


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Manufactured in 2006, this copy of the early DBDU uniform is believed to have been made by the US military either for US Special Forces serving as advisors to the Iraqi Army or issued to Iraqi forces now serving as part of the Iraqi National Army.

Now Showing at the Movies Numerous Numerous movies have been made eaturing the DBDU and DCU. As a result, on-screen worn prop uniorms are yet another niche area that a collector could delve into. We offer as an example the ollowing. In 2012, a movie directed by Michael Connors entitled Allegiance was Allegiance was released. Te setting or the movie was New York State as a fictitious Army National Guard unit

was preparing to deploy to Iraq in October 2004.

Even Hollywood was not immune to the iconic lure of the desert uniforms; from the movie Allegiance , this is the DCU belonging to a fictional infantryman, “1st Lieutenant Royz.” Royz is serving in a fictitious New York Army National Guard unit that has a Statue of Liberty encircled in a wreath as its shoulder patch.

The label from the inside of Lieutenant Royz’s Allegiance uniform showing it is a “Tru-Spec” commercially produced product made by ATLANCO of Marietta, Georgia. This uniform is nearly identical to the government issued DCU. The Tales of a Thousand and One Nights

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One feature of this DBDU marking it as different from the standard US version was the addition of these epaulets. epaulets. Ironically Ironically,, these are similar to epaulets epaulets that that were on the the very first US Special Forces Forces DBDUs produced and issued starting in 1977. The manufacturer’s label inside the DBDUs gives care instructions and informs us this uniform was produced by American Power Source Incorporated in 2006. For those who served in the area of operations, the warning warning “Dry at low heat. Do not exceed 130 degrees” is humorous; there is nothing “low heat” about 130 degrees to soldiers soldiers who were convinced that was the the average temperature temperatu re in the region. region.

Also released under the title Recalled , the movie centered on the emotional events involving a guard unit’s deployment and the many problems encountered when leaving amilies behind while heading to the war zone. What makes this uniorm interesting is the great attention to detail that was made to ensure all o the insignia were properly placed on the uniorm and cap. Te only indication that this was a movie prop is the unusual round “Statue o Liberty” unit patch on the le shoulder. I the patch were to become separated rom the uniorm we are sure there would be boundless speculation as to where it came rom.

two plausible reasons emerged. One school o thought is that the uniorm was worn by US Special Operations units serving as advisors to Iraqi or Aghani orces. By tradition these special spe cial operators would oen wear the uniorm o the militaries they advised. Te other theory was that these t hese DBDUs were made under contract to provide much needed standardized uniorms to the fledgling Iraqi Ar med Forces. Both theories are intriguing and neither has been confirme d. Ultimately, it highlights the act that over twenty years since its

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery Sometimes uniorms appear at first glance to dey logic. A good example is this DBDU that we ound with a 2006 US government contract date. Te question in our mind was why was a uniorm phased out in the early 1990s 199 0s still being produced here in the US? Aer consulting our experts DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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demise as a standard US uniorm the DBDU lives on and is still worn with pride by some armies around the world. Odds and Ends Tere are some things that just dey categorization. Te ollowing odd, unusual, or one-o-a-kind items all squarely into this area. In our efforts to leave no stone unturned, we have stumbled across a desert camouflaged M-16 handguard cover in the collection o the US Army Quartermaster Museum; a testament to the ingenuity o the US soldier. We We also encountered enc ountered Bibles that come with DBDU and DCU camouflaged covers. Many units created and printed their own magazines in-theater during the desert era, as shown here. We We unearthed one o the most risqué desert novelty patches firmly secured to a plaque pl aque given out in-theater by “desert oxes”—waitresses

An unusual item out of the archives of the US Army Quartermaster Museum at Fort Lee. This prototype reversible rifle cover was designed to cover the fiberglass-molded fiberglass-molded polymer hand guards on the M-16 to prevent any shine or reflection giving away a soldier’s position. It was never formally adopted or put into production. Courtesy US Army Quartermaster Museum

An in-theater perspective; this is a copy of the 1st Infantry Division’s monthly magazine Danger Forward . This particular issue from September 2004 focuses on the efforts of the Big Red One to train the new Iraqi Iraqi Army. Danger Froward has has been the official magazine of the 1st Infantry since the Vietnam era and the name has its roots in the division’s WWII history. Courtesy US Army Another use for desert camouflage; the patch patch created for a bar in Florida that successfully raised enough money to send four of its waitresses to Qatar for a morale-boosting trip entitled entitled appropriately “Operation Desert Foxes.”

At the other end of the spectrum from novelty or victory patches were the commonly found desert versions of the New Testament that were provided to troops deploying to the combat combat zones. zones. Here are the the Desert Storm Storm version and two different OIF versions of the Gideon Bible. The Tales of a Thousand and One Nights

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Continuing the tradition of wearing the DCU as an OPFOR uniform, a group of soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division pose with weapons they would simulate using during a Network Integration Evaluation exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas. Courtesy US Army

Quite possibly the ultimate in Southwest Asia souvenirs: an official “Camel Crossing” road sign. This example was liberated by some soldiers and presented to one of their favorite officers.

rom a Florida bar. Perhaps the most unique item o all, we even stumbled across a camel crossing sign; a lasting tribute to the extent that soldiers will go to collect unusual s ouvenirs. Opposing Forces (OPFOR) Generally, DBDU and DCU uniorm were worn in a deployed environment. environment. As each o these uniorms were phased out they were given new ne w lie as the “enemy” uniorm worn by opposing orces (OPFOR) at the National raining raining Center in Fort Irwin, CA, and the Joint Readiness raining Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Tis fictitious enemy—part o the aggressor orce training concept—was first created in 1946. Tese soldiers represented represented a “world class” simulated enemy that replicated the tactics and equipment o potential adversaries. Specialized woodland or desert OPFOR rank, branch insignia, and distinctive “star” patches were worn on the DBDU and DCU uniorms o OPFOR soldiers. An OPFOR name tape would also be worn across the le chest pocket. At the time this book was written, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division personnel had continued this tradition. Tey serve as OPFOR during network integration evaluation exercises at Fort Bliss while wearing DCUs without any insignia.

On the left are woodland subdued green and desert tan versions of the classic OPFOR star. Both were worn on the DBDU and DCU. On the right is an example of the OPFOR Motorized Rifle branch insignia loosely based on the Soviet Army example. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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CHAPTER 17

And the Beat Goes On…

the Cold War in Europe and the very hot war in Vietnam. At the time, these conflicts—particularly WWII and Korea—seemed as distant in time as the Peloponnesian Pelopon nesian War. War. And yet, to today’ to day’ss soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine, the combat operations in Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, and Somalia, and the peacekeeping peacekee ping missions in Haiti and early deployments to Bosnia and Kosovo are equally as distant. Te common thread that binds the abric o US servicemen together through generations is the wearing o a distinct uniorm that reflects a rich military heritage her itage and the more important unctional requirements o combat gear. In these pages we have shown the incredible variety o uniorms and patches that were worn in the short period per iod rom 1990 to 2006. Obviously, the early versions o desert uniorms were worn beore 1990, but it was not until 1990 that the six-color DBDU entered the United States’ States’ collective consciousness. Starting in August 1990, the evening news on television showed the arrival o US orces in Saudi Arabia every night. Te rather striking impression impression le by the “chocolate chip” uniorms on people—much more accustomed to seeing the dark green colors o the BDU—eventually made the DBDU one o the iconic symbols o Desert Storm. By September 11, 2001, the chocolate chips were all gone; the three-color DCU had taken their place, and soon the American public watched again as the US military returned in numbers to Southwest Asia and Aghanistan. In turn, by 2006, the now-amiliar DCU was gone rom Army units. In its place was the new Army Combat Uniorm (ACU), which was designed to replace all Army field uniorms (DCUs and BDUs) in one move. Te DCU continued to be worn by the Air Force until 2008, and Navy/Coast Guard personnel to 2012; they are still being issued to some civilians and contractors at the time this Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) pause to pray or reflect on the simple monument for one of book was written. their fallen fallen comrades while others others ready themselves themselves for the the next mission. mission. Courtesy US Army It is probably air to say those o us o this generation o servicemen are still too close to the subject to be trusted to write dispassionately about the momentous events o Desert Storm, Somalia, Haiti, and the twin wars OIF and OEF. Te act o our service, our riends’ service, and our amily members’ service in these campaigns makes it very personal. We can, however, aithully and accurately document the ascinating variety o uniorms, patches, and insignia worn by the American military participants part icipants in these operations. Tis, thereore t hereore,, we have tried to do and the reader will be the ultimate judge o our success. In his personal history o WWI, Gen. (and later Vice Presiden President) t) Charles Dawes wrote: “Tis generation in the United States is living and has lived amidst such a succession o great events that it has ceased to be greatly impressed by them. Among our people the war is largely orgotten or remembered because o some personal consequence….”1 Written in 1921, these words retain the same meaning today. today. When the authors entered military service, serv ice, it was not uncommon or their senior leaders to be veterans o WWII and the Korean War. War. Te more immediate leaders were all veterans o


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Replacing the DCUs and BDUs as a work and combat uniform was the Army Combat Uniform (ACU). Note it comes ready-made with shoulder pockets and Velcro attachments for rank and insignia all designed to accommodate the wear of body armor—many of the exact adjustments soldiers made to their DCUs.

Another view of an ACU—also known as the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) uniform—belonging to a 1st sergeant in the 1st Infantry Division. The pixilated camouflage pattern developed by the Army’s Natick Soldier Soldier Systems Center was specifically designed to provide concealment in all environments.


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support o the US military and the efforts to deeat a more elusive enemy in the global war on terror in Aghanistan Aghanist an and Iraq. From the heartbreaking events o the capture and rescue o Pvt. Jessica Lynch ime magazine naming o the Army’s 507th Maintenance Company to ime magazine the American soldier as “Person o the Year” in 2003—with a cover eaturing three DCU-clad soldiers—the desert uniorm was again prominently eatured on the ront pages o newspapers, magazines, and in V coverage. Te outpouring o public support was immense and intense; soldiers returning rom Aghanistan and Iraq were prousely thanked or their service by complete strangers and hailed as heroes, something unimaginable during the Vietnam War only a ew decades earlier.

Another ACU, this time for a colonel with Desert Storm service and showing how the Parachute and Air Assault Badges could either be sewn on or pinned to the chest of the coat. Later regulations regulations allowed for all name tapes, rank, rank, and badges to be sewn directly onto the ACU. Patches continued to be attached by Velcro. The label from the 1st Infantry Division ACU showing it was a 2003 version; most likely one of the very first produced and manufactured by UNICOR at Federal Prison Industries in the prison facility in Greenville, Illinois.

Most importantly, the desert uniorm stands as a symbol o an era where the American public gained newound respect or the US military. Operation Desert Storm garnered the greatest US public support since WWII. Americans in communities large and small celebrated the return o their victorious warriors warri ors who had led a world-wide coalition to victory in the Gul. Chairman o the Joint Chies o Staff Gen. Colin Powell best summarized this eeling by saying, “aer the stalemate o Korea and the long agony in Southwest Asia, the country was hungry or victory. We had given America a clear win at low casualties in a noble cause, and the American people are in love again with their thei r Armed Forces.”2 A decade later, the tragic events o September 11, 2001, once again united Americans in


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Troughout these conflicts the soldiers, airmen, sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines aithully served their nation wearing the desert uniorm. With this book we hope to honor the countless numbers o US service members who trained, lived, ate, worked, and ought while wearing these desert uniorms. We also seek to remember those who were wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice in the deense o their country. We We are humbled and proud to have had the opportunity to write this book and it is our way o saying thanks to all those service members or their dedication and sacrifice while wearing the desert uniorm.

An Army chaplain assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan prays with a wounded soldier in a field hospital during Operation Anaconda, the first offensive of the Afghanistan campaign. “The soldiers want their chaplain to be with them in the field. They want them to be jumping jumping from the same airplane, airplane, to be out in the field, and to experience the same life they have. When they see that, they can say ‘this guy or gal is one of us and I can relate to them.’” – US Army Chaplain (Maj.) Stanton Trotter. Courtesy US Army

With a backward glance at the photographer, a soldier assigned to “A” Company, 1st Battalion of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment pauses while firing on targets at the squad tactics course at Kursah Range, Iraq, on October 19, 2003. In the distant background, a green smoke grenade adds to the realism of the training training event. Courtesy US Army


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APPENDIX A

Patch and Uniform Manufacturers

A little-known acet o patch and uniorm collecting is the study o who actually made the items worn by US servicemen. s ervicemen. What ollows are listings o patch and uniorm manuacturers and then a pictorial layout o some o the labels ound in the uniorms. In many ways, these labels tell a story o their own and provide much more inormation than many collectors or historians may expect. Major Patch Manufacturers: Ace Schiffli Embroidery Company, Company, Fairfield, New Jersey Active Generation, Inc., Dallas, exas Adriel Brothers, Inc., Norton Massachusetts American Embroidery Company, Company, Inc., Jacksonville, Alabama Apollo Military Manuacturing Co., Brooklyn, New York Aronoff Service Products Co., Passaic New Jersey Art Embroidery Company, West New York, New Jersey Artistic Weaving Company, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey Bally Ribbon Mills, Bally, Pennsylvania Bende & Sons, Inc., Passaic, New Jersey C&P Embroidery Company, Company, Inc., North Bergen, B ergen, New Jersey Clover Embroidery Works, Inc., New York, New York Colonial Promotions, Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts Eveready Embroidery, Embroidery, Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey GRACO, omball, exas Grip Flex Corporation, Philadelphia Pennsylvania Te Irving H. Hahn Company, Company, Baltimore, Maryland Interstate Lace Company, Union City, New Jersey Ivy Emblems Corporation, North North Bergen, New Jersey E. Jalowsky & Company, Guttenberg, New Jersey Leonard Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Lion Brothers Company, Owings Hill, Maryland Merit Ribbon Company, Hauppauge Long Island, New York Schiffli Corporation o America, West New York, New Jersey Schreyer Embroidery Co., Fairvie w, New Jersey Voyager Emblems, Sanborn, New York Warner Woven Label Co. Inc., Paterson, New Jersey Wick Embroidery Company, Union City, New Jersey DBDU Uniform Manufacturers: American Apparel Deense Personal Support Center Edcar Industries Propper International Quality Apparel Selma, Apparel Corporation S.W.I. ennessee Apparel erry Manuacturing UNICOR, Seagoville, Se agoville, exas exas Winfield Manuacturing Patch and Uniform Manufacturers

DBDU rouser Manufacturers: Coastal Industries Deense Personal Support Center Lite Industries Quality Apparel Winfield Manuacturing Wrangler Propper International S.W.I. UNICOR, Seagoville, Se agoville, exas exas DBDU Hats: Bancro Cap Deense Personal Support Center M&B Headwear J. Wesley Inc. DBDU Helmet Covers: Abilities Unlimited Inc. Chautauqua Company NYSARC Community Worship Inc. Crown Purse Inc. Medical Supplies Mg. Mohawk Valley Workshop Inc. Propper International Caliornia-Pacific Mg. (M-1 Helmet) Protective Apparel Apparel Corp o America

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DCU Uniform Manufacturers: Advantage Wear American Apparel American Power Source Caliornia Manuacturing Caribbean Needle Point, Inc. Deense Personal Support Center DJ Manuacturing C ompany EA Industries Golden Manuacturing J.H. Rutter-Rex Manuacturing Kellywood Co. Lion Apparel NCED (National Center or Employment o the Disabled) DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Propper International erry Manuacturing rooper Incorporated UNICOR, Greenville, Illinois UNICOR, Manchester, Kentucky UNICOR, Seagoville, Se agoville, exas exas Workwear Corporation

DCU Hat Manufacturers: Atlas Headwear Bernard Cap Deense Personal Support Center Equa M&B Headwear R&B Inc. Sekri Industries Propper International

DCU rouser Manufacturers: Advantage Wear Caribbean Needle Point Coastal Industries Deense Personal Support Center Laias Industries Goodwill Industries o South Florida Mount Rogers Propper UNICOR, Atlanta, Georgia UNICOR, B elmont, exas exas UNICOR, Seagoville, Se agoville, exas exas Vinton Garment Wrangler

DCU Helmet Cover Manufacturers: Mount Rogers Lions Volunteer Blind Inc. Volunteer Blind Corporation Lite Industries, Inc. Vanderbilt Shirt Co., Inc.

The faded label from one of the very first DBDU coats produced in 1981 by the Selma Apparel Corporation. After being fined by the US government for fraud, the Selma Apparel factory was purchased by American Apprel for $1.2 million in 1988. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

The label from a 1981 DBDU coat belonging to a US Army Special Forces soldier. The coat was manufactured by the Tennessee Apparel Corporation in Tullahoma, Tennessee. 301


The label from a DCU coat issued to a US Navy Seabee. This particular label shows the coat was made by EA Industries of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, under subcontract to American Apparel Incorporated.

The 1990 label from an American Apparel Inc.-made DBDU coat. During this period American Apparel Apparel was in Selma, Selma, Alabama. Alabama.

The label from a DCU coat made by J.H. Rutter Rex Manufacturing Company and issued to a US Special Forces NCO. This company, in Metairie, Louisiana, sued the US government in 1983, because as a small business it did not get a single contract to manufacture uniforms in 1981.

The label from a DCU coat made by the Terry Manufacturing Company of Roanoke, Alabama, under the terms of a 1990 contract. Patch and Uniform Manufacturers

The DCU coat label for an American Apparel-made coat produced in 1991 and issued to a member of the USAREUR Band. 302


The label from a DCU coat manufactured in 1991 by Workwear Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, and issued to a Department of the Army civilian employee. Founded in 1919 in Cleveland to make industrial work clothes, in 1990 the company moved its headquarters to Greensboro, North Carolina.

The 1991 label from a DCU coat produced by Trooper Incorporated and subsequently issued to a US Coast Guardsman.

The label from a DCU coat produced by Unicor-Greenville, Illinois, under the terms of of a 2003 contract. contract. The The coat was issued to a US Army Ranger. Ranger.

The label from a DCU coat produced by the National Center for Employment of the Disabled (NCED) in 2004 and issued to an Army military policeman assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade. More than 70 percent percent of NCED employees employees have some some form of mental mental or physical disability.

One of the rarer labels: Defense Personnel Supply Center on a 1991 DCU coat issued to a Department of the Army civilian worker assigned to TROSCOM. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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The label from a field jacket made by Golden Manufacturing Company of Golden, Mississippi, under the terms of a 1996 contract and issued to a USAF airman.


The label from a DCU coat produced by Unicor-Greenville, Illinois, as part of the Federal Prison Industry program, designed to teach convicts occupational skills while making useful products for government agencies. This particular coat was issued to a soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division.

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Another Federal Prison manufacturer, this time from Unicor-Manchester, Kentucky. This 1996 DCU coat was issued to a soldier assigned to Army Central Command.


Dated 1997, the DCU coat with this label was also produced at UnicorManchester, Kentucky, and was issued to a sailor in the US Navy.

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The label from a commercially produced DCU coat made by Propper International Incorporated in 1998 and sold to a soldier. In Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Propper was the largest producer of DCUs.


The label from a DCU coat produced by Golden Manufacturing Company under a 1999 contract and worn by a US Army officer in Afghanistan during the early phase of OEF. The officer would later wear it to OIF when his unit deployed directly there from OEF in 2003.

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The label from a DCU coat produced by the DJ Manufacturing Company under a 1999 contract. It was later issued to a US Army engineer assigned to SETAF. In Caguas, Puerto Rico, it was also one of the first manufacturers of the ACU.


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The 1999 contract label from a DCU coat that provides information this uniform was made by EA Industries, a subcontractor to American Apparel Company.


Another Golden Manufacturing DCU coat made in 1999 and issued to members of the OPFOR stationed at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California.


The label from a DCU coat made by DJ Manufacturing Company in 1991 and worn in Iraq by a 29th Infantry Division soldier.

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The label from a DCU coat made by Terry Manufacturing Company under terms of a 2000 2000 contract. contract. It was issued issued to a soldier assigned assigned to the the 18th Field Artillery Brigade.


Another coat from Unicor-Manchester, Kentucky; this time under a 2003 contract. The coat was issued to a 10th Mountain Division soldier.

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One of the more difficult to find manufacturers, Caribbean Needlepoint Incorporated of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, produced this DCU coat under terms of a 2003 2003 contract. contract. The coat coat was issued issued to a soldier soldier assigned assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Division. In 2004, 2004, the company company was renamed renamed Pentaq Pentaq Manufacturing.


Another Unicor-produced coat, this time made by minimum security prisoners at the Unicor-Seagoville, Texas, facility. Dated 2003, this coat with this label was issued to a soldier assigned to the 44th Medical Brigade in the Third Army.

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The other label in the TRU-SPEC coat, providing size and stock number information, as well as showing it was assembled in Honduras.

An undated, commercially produced DCU made by TRU-SPEC. Many soldiers preferred to purchase extra uniforms from commercial vendors. This coat was worn by a soldier assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.

Another undated, commercially produced DCU coat; this time the maker is Advantage Wear. This coat was worn by a US Air Force Special Operations officer who was a Ranger and Military Free Fall Parachute qualified.


The label from an American Apparel-made 1999 DCU coat issued to a Kansas Army National Guardsman.

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APPENDIX B

Headgear

Among the many collectible items during the desert pe riod, US military he adgear is one o the most popular and remains an extremely interesting area to research. Te basic purpose o military headgear has always been to provide quick identification o “riend versus oe,” oe,” to give a measure o protection rom rain or sun, and to shield the wearer’s head rom enemy blows. In this appendix you can see and study US headgear that perorms one, two, or all three o these basic unctions. Tere will also be examples o headgear designed or a strictly souvenir market. Although it has always been the US military’s intent intent to match headgear to uniorm type and style, the shortcomings o the supply system or the availability o selected items have oen prevented it. Tis has always meant there is a “mix and match” match” aspect to desert headgear in relation to the uniorms worn with it. Whether by choice or due to supply constraints, Maj. Gen. Jerry R. Rutherford wears a woodland pattern cover on his helmet while meeting with Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon Sullivan and US VII Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Frederick Franks at the completion of the combat phase of Desert Storm in February 1991. Courtesy US Army and SGM (ret) Jimmie Fisher

While officially designated the Personal Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet, it was more commonly known as the Kevlar or K-pot by troops who wore it. Shown here with a DBDU pattern pattern cover, cover, the Kevlar Kevlar was the standard standard helmet helmet during Desert Desert Storm, but but was being being phased out by the time OEF OEF and OIF began. Headgear

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A group of 101st Airborne leaders compare notes. Of interest here is the mix of woodland and desert-colored unit patches and helmet patches. Based on the visible helmet patches, it is possible to identify two of the units involved: the 187th and the 2nd Battalion of the 327th Infantry. Courtesy 101st Airborne Division

Combat Helmets Te evolution o the US combat helmet moved rapidly during this period. From WWII right through most o the 1980s, soldiers and Marines wore the venerable M-1 helmet, affectionately known as the “steel pot.” pot.” It was replaced in the late ’80s by the Personal Armor System or Ground roops (PASG), commonly called ca lled the “Kevlar. “Ke vlar.” Nicknamed the “Fritz” or “K-pot” (an abbreviation or either “Kevlar” or “kraut”), it was similar in appearance to WWII Ger man helmets. Regardless o what it was called, the timing was perect or this helmet to become one o the iconic symbols o Desert Storm. By 2003, the Kevlar had become outdated and was replaced by the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH), which provided superior protection. Very quickly even the MICH was updated and replaced by what is known now as the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH). And so the evolution continues. For the purpose o this work, the ocus will remain on these three helmets: PASG, MICH, and ACH.

A well-worn Kevlar with goggles and the night vision bracket attached.

The extremely faded DCU pattern helmet cover belonging to MG (ret) Ken Bowra. Note his name has been embroidered onto the helmet band. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

A side view of the previous helmet showing the cloverleaf “Club” symbol woodland-colored patch representing the 327th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. Courtesy Paul Madden DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Headgear

A soldier from the 101st Airborne displaying the 502nd Infantry Regiment patch on his helmet cover in Iraq c. 2003. Courtesy 101st Airborne Division

Helmet Patches

The helmet belonging to a staff sergeant assigned to the 4th Infantry Division. In this case, the divisional marking on the helmet is a desert-colored 4th Infantry Division patch worn only on the left side of the helmet.

Te desert era witnessed the expansion o the use o helmet patches. Te helmet patch had been worn with the BDU helmet cover by some units beore OIF and OEF, notably the 3rd and 4th Inantry Divisi ons. During these conflicts several additional organizations adopted the practice o wearing their desert unit patch as a helmet patch. Te 101st Airborne Division created a unique set o patches specifically designed to be worn on the combat helmet. Te 101st’s three inantry brigades resurrected the tradition o unit helmet markings in a September 2003 ceremony at the division’ division’s headquarters in Mosul, Iraq. Tis paid tribute to the division’s WWII airborne heritage when playing card symbols (heart, club, spade, and diamond) were used as helmet markings. O the 101st Division’s Brigade Combat eams (BCs), the 187th adopted the Japanese “orii” “orii” Gate, the 327th wore a club, the 502nd wore a heart, and the 506th a spade. Several supporting engineer, MP, MP, signal, and sustainment units wore variations o the BC helmet patches or distinctive patches o their own design. Te division headquarters wore a miniature brown version o its patch on a tan background with a brown border. Many o these patches were made by Army surplus and tailor shops in close proximity proximity to the division’s home at Fort Campbell. Others were made in-theater. in-t heater. What ollows is a look at the various types o he adgear, as well as some o the helmet patches that were used to provide unit identification and cohesion. Te collection and study o military hats, helmets, and caps will no doubt continue to be o major interest. As a very senior and advanced collector once told the authors, “You “You can never have too much headgear.”

Rear view of the 4th Infantry Division helmet, clearly showing the infra-red ID squares on the cover itself, as well as the glow in the dark “cat eyes” on the helmet band. Headgear

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Using the hood of a HUMVEE as a field expedient table, several members of the 101st’s 1st Battalion of the 327th Infantry confer before continuing the operation. Note the mix of DCU and woodland pattern uniforms and equipment. Courtesy 101st Airborne Division

More of the varied helmet cover patches used by the 101st Airborne to provide unit identification. The use of playing card symbols is seen in the “heart” and “spade” representing the 502nd and 506th Infantry Regiments. The top row displays patches from the signal companies companies assigned assigned to each of these these regiments. regiments. Their saw-toothed saw-tooth ed edges are indicative of early patches. In the center row, the patch with the circle represents the 320th Field Artillery and the small bar near it, depending on location, provides the battalion information. information. The bottom row (left to right) are authorized and theater-made versions of the 187th Infantry Regiment’s “Torii gate” patch. On the far right is a theater-m theater-made ade patch for the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment.

A collection of helmet cover patches used by the 101st. The clover leaf or “club” symbol indicates a unit of the 327th Infantry Regiment. The top row represents the headquarters and three battalions of the 327th. The second row shows examples of woodland versions of the patch that was also worn on the DCU. The third row has patches from the 426th Forward Support Battalion; 1st Squadron, 32d Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition); and the MP Company. The bottom row displays examples of the 101st Division’s Engineer Battalion and the distinctive 101st Division Headquarters patches. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

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Headgear

As the standard Kevlar helmet was phased out, its replacement was the very popular Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH). The MICH replaced the Kevlar in 2002, and used an internal system of cushioning pads. The Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) is basically a modified and cut down MICH and was beginning to be fielded in 2003.

Headgear

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Given time and opportunity, most soldiers had their helmet cover patches sewn onto the covers. This was not always an option. Here are several examples of helmet covers where the patches were either glued or attached with Velcro. Courtesy of Paul Madden

Hats, Caps, and Covers Te use o headgear ollowed a similar progression. Most importantly or soldiers and Marines was the return o the “boonie hat,” gone rom the US pantheon o headgear since the end o the Vietnam War. Its Its reappearance was a hit; there appeared to be as many ways to wear it as there were military and civilian service members in Saudi Arabia in 1990 and 1991. While Gen. Schwarzkop seemed to preer the “patrol cap” style o desert hat, the overwhelming avorite was the DBDU boonie hat. While part o this may be due to the act that DBDU patrol caps were harder to find and commercially made, there can be no doubt the boonie was a avorite. With the advent o OEF and OIF, both style hats were readily available and once again, the boonie was the hands-down avorite or comort, style, and utility. Te Marine Corps has worn a distinctive utility cover since WWII, and during the desert period it was available in both DBDU and DCU. Also called the utility cap or eight-pointed cover, it was also worn by the Navy, Coast Guard, and even, on occasion, the Air Force.

A Kevlar helmet from the 501st Signal Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. Below it are two soldiers from the battalion wearing the patch on their Kevlar helmets in October 2003. The symbol was worn by the unit in WWII; the lightning flash in the center of the box was added to reflect technological enhancements essential to military communication. Courtesy of Paul Madden and the US Army

Two covers from the 3rd Infantry Division showing the use of woodland and desert-colored patches. Courtesy of Paul Madden DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

317

Headgear

To fully appreciate the effectiveness of the fluorescent “cat’s eyes” they must be viewed in the dark. This photograph gives a clear indication of how visible the fluorescent tapes truly are.

The DBDU version of the patrol cap was much less common during Desert Storm period than the “boonie” hat. Nevertheless, some soldiers, including Gen. Schwarzkopf, preferred it.

The desert proved to be a harsh environment for man and machine. In 1991, a group of Bradley Fighting Vehicles have returned from Iraq and are being staged in preparation for movement to the port. All of these soldiers are wearing the DBDU version of the patrol cap. Courtesy US Army Headgear

318


By the time of OEF and OIF, the DCU patrol cap was a common item worn by many. This lightweight version has the officer’s rank sewn on the front. The inside view of a DBDU patrol cap turned inside out to show the maker’s tag and the soldier’s name tape sewn into the cap’s interior. interior. Interestingly, Interestingly, this this cap is a commercial commercial purchase and the national stock number listed on the maker’s label is not a real one.

On the back the captain’s name has been added.

The DBDU version of the most popular hat worn during Desert Storm: the Boonie Boonie hat. This This well-worn version version has been been upgraded upgraded by the owner with a Desert Storm patch produced in Saudi Arabia and available almost immediately after the end of the war.

A DBDU Boonie hat turned inside out to show the laundering and care instructions. Most soldiers found the instruction “Do Not Starch” to be rather humorous; why would anyone want to ruin the comfort of their favorite hat? DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Inside, the maker’s tag reflects the fact this hat was made in 2001, and most likely the label is the exact same one that would have appeared on a lightweight BDU hat made by the same manufacturer. 319

Headgear

A heavyweight version of the DCU “Boonie” hat with the general’s two stars sewn on the front. Note the stars are the proper desert color brown on a khaki backing. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

One of the heavier weight DCU patrol caps, this one has two stars of a major general sewn to the front and is using woodland pattern rank. Courtesy MG (ret) Ken Bowra

A DCU Boonie turned inside out to show instructions for care and the maker’s label.

The shape of this distinctive eight-pointed DCU utility cover was originated by the US Marine Corps in WWII. This particular hat, known always in the Marine Corps as a “cover,” could have been worn by a warrant officer (CW2) who served in the United States Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard, all of whom used the same headgear.

Boonie hats from the Desert Storm and OEF/OIF period became favorite souvenirs of soldiers. Often they bought extra ones to have them embroidered with personal history or information. This one has been adorned not only with an Arabic version of the owner’s name, it also has US and Iraqi flags and that favorite desert icon, the scorpion. The inside label from the US Marine Corps hat indicating a 1999 manufacturing date. Courtesy of Paul Madden Headgear

320


The reverse side of the hat in the previous photograph showing this souvenir originally belonged to a soldier named Christina.

One of the more ornately decorated Boonie hats belonging to a soldier assigned to Camp Anaconda in Iraq. Ironically, the large flag and eagle motif in the center of the hat is very similar to a design that was popular during the Vietnam War when a “peace sign” was overlaid across the top.

Although not specifically authorized, a number of service members custom Arabic script direct embroidered to the back of their DCU boonie hats for every-day wear.”

The inside label from the hat in the previous photograph, showing this is a souvenir version and expressly designed for Operation Iraqi Freedom.


321

Headgear

APPENDIX C

Civilians and Contractors on the Battlefeld

skills, and unique status. Many o the organizations that later became part o the USO began to serve the Doughboys in France: the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Knights o Columbus, the Salvation Army, the Jewish Welare Board, etc. Others, such as railroad and ocean cargo experts, were appointed to positions in the Army based strictly on their critically needed knowledge. Tis development continued through throu gh WWII, as many men and women were added to the orce to provide skills in armament production, engineering, and language translation when their age or sex would have normally precluded their en listment. During the war, US Armed Forces discovered a need to easily identiy civilian personnel pers onnel accompanying US orces in combat zones so they would comply with the requirements o the Geneva Convention. Convention. Blue armbands or large patches with a distinctive white triangle with the letters “US” were used as early as 1942. By 1944, tan-colored, rectangular patches with a blue triangle and lettering letteri ng were introduced. Some were plain while others had specific positions, such as “Scientific Consultant.” Consultant.” Tis style o patch continued to be worn wor n into the desert period either as green woodland or desert camouflage versions and with or without wording. A simplified version was also made with a spice colored triangle on a tan background. In the Vietnam War, many civilians served in-country either as contractors or as Department o Deense employees. During Desert Storm the trend continued, as Deense Department civilians made up a sizeable contingent supporting port operations, vehicle maintenance, saety awareness, and even post exchange operations. By the time o OEF and OIF, the number o contractors and Deense Department civilians was even greater,

There were a surprising number of civilians in uniform during WWI. Among the many organizations furnishing support to the Doughboys in France was the Young Men’s Christian Association, as seen in this YMCA worker’s uniform. Courtesy Alison E. Hutton

Going as ar back as the Revolutionary War, the US military has employed civilians and contractors to provide skills skill s and knowledge not readily available in the tactical orce. In earlier wars up to WWI, many o these “non-combatants” were primarily used or medical and animal handling services. One o the Army’s most amous generals, Leonard Wood, began his military career as a contracted doctor. Starting in 1917, many civilians and contractors began to wear US military uniorms to signiy their service,

The idea of using US Army civilian workers on or near the battlefield has long been a tradition that goes back at least as far as the American Civil War. Closer to modern day is this WWII Ike jacket belonging to a US Army civilian worker in the European European Theater Theater of Operations. Operations. Civilians and Contractors on the Battlefeld

322


An early desert period version of the civilian triangle in woodland green is shown on the arm of a DBDU coat worn by a US Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) Logistics Specialist during Desert Storm.

Keeping with that tradition, shown here are some of the uniforms used by US Army civilian workers in Desert Storm and OIF showing variation in patches. The acronym “TROSCOM-AMC” is the abbreviation for Troop Support Command–Army Materiel Command. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

323


Showcasing the somewhat haphazard issue of desert uniforms and web gear during the Desert Storm period, this picture shows a US Army civilian who has just arrived in Saudi Arabia and his friend, a 7th Transportation Group warrant officer, still wearing a woodland pattern uniform, but with a desert helmet cover. Courtesy Mike Martinson

Recognizing the service of civilians deploying to the war zone during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the Department of Defense produced and issued a campaign medal specifically for them. Courtesy Alison E. Hutton

as many o the unctions at military bases and camps had been contracted out. Since 2001, more than 10,000 US ederal civilian employees employees have deployed to Iraq and Aghanistan. O these, thes e, some 7,500 were Department o Deense civilians, including 3,300 Department o the Army civilians. Tey provided logistics, administration, and security, as well as supporting local political and economic development. development. During the desert period, se ven DoD civilians died and 118 were wounded in Iraq and Aghanistan, highlighting the unprecedented risk to these deployed civil servants.1 By 2006, more than 100,000 US contractors were serving in Iraq alone—ten times the number o contractors who had suppor ted Desert Storm and nearly as large as the deployed US military orces in the country. Around 650 contractors died in Iraq between 2003 and 2006.2 In addition to the employees coming rom the US, local citizens were ofen hired to perorm maintenance, engineering, and construction as a means to restimulate the economy and encourage the populace to support the American and Coalition presence in their country. Because o this trend, many o the US military units no longer carried certain skills or trades tra des in their table o organization and equipment (OE); it was assumed the work would be contracted contracte d out whenever the unit deployed or combat operations. Whether this was a good or bad development in the overall scheme o things is not or debate here. Instead, the purpose o this appendix is to recognize the large number o civilians, government employees, and contractors that served and to portray some o their uniorms, patches, and unique aspects. It is also notable that Department o Deense civilians and contractors continued to wear DCUs long aer Army soldiers had been switched over to the Army Combat Uniorm. As a result, it is possible to find civilian DCUs that were worn long past the Army phase-out date or that uniorm.

With the highly successful completion of the ground campaign in Desert Storm, a Department of the Army civilian at the port of Jubail celebrates with a warm, non-alcoholic beer. Soon the redeployment of the victorious soldiers and their equipment can begin. Civilians and Contractors on the Battlefeld

324


An interesting black triangle version of the civilian patch, this time as a pocket patch on a lightweight DCU coat belonging to a civilian member of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). A husband and wife team, both US Army Corps of Engineers civilians, serving in Iraq in 2007. Although US Army units had switched to ACUs by this this time, the DCU was still the standard uniform for civilian employees. Courtesy US Army

Yet another patch for US Army civilians; the patches seen in this picture explain the wearer is a US Army Transportation Corps Historian deployed in support of OIF and OEF. By the time this picture was taken in March 2007 in Tikrit, most soldiers in Iraq had been issued Army Combat Uniforms. Courtesy Richard Killblane

The difference in size and color of the “DOD Civilian” pocket identification tapes is easily seen and also contrasts to the much more specific “TROSCOM-AMC” patch.

A selection of non-combatant triangles: on the top row (left) is the original blue and white 1942 version next to its modern desert counterpart worn by a US Army Logistics Specialist. The bottom two rows show modern tan variations of the non-combatant triangle worn during the desert period. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

325


The late version lightweight DCU coat with narrow collar belonging to a contractor employed by the DOD contractor TMW. Civilians and Contractors on the Battlefeld

326


A contractor assigned to the 101st Airborne Division is wearing an early version DCU coat and has the divisional patch sewn on his left shoulder. Courtesy 101st Airborne Division

An Army civilian safety specialist pauses just before deployment for a discussion with Commander of the 101st Airborne Division Maj. Gen. David Petraeus (far left) and Commander of US Army Forces Command Gen. Larry Ellis. Courtesy US Army

A civilian DBDU, indicating this individual worked with the Deployable Medical Systems (DEPMEDS). DEPMEDS was a system of standardized deployable modular Combat Support Hospitals first fielded in the 1980s. Note the wear of of a commercial commercial Operation Desert Storm novelty patch on the left shoulder that is not uncommon.


327


Civilian Protective Uniform (CIVPU) In 2008, Army Material Command developed a standard un iorm specifically or wear by Army civilians. Tey decided to leverage the existing ACU program as a way to quickly develop a standard uniorm. Te result was nearly identical to the ACU, with the exception that it was solid tan and there was no provision provision or rank; only a Velcro Velcro patch over the le pocket or the distinctive civilian triangle patch. Made by Steps Inc. in Farmville, Virginia, the uniorm had a one year trial pe riod. Te uniorm consisted o trousers, coat, patrol cap, and a sun hat, all in solid tan color. Te program was short-lived. It quickly proved proved to be more economical to simply issue DCUs rom the Army’s Army’s large inventories to its civilians.

The Civilian Protective Uniform (CIVPU) prototype was developed in 2008 by the Army Materiel Command. It included a solid tan-colored version of the Army Combat Uniform with places for the standard nametape and civilian triangle insignia. insignia. Courtesy US Army


Never officially issued, the CIVPU was declared surplus and sold by US government liquidation outlets. Here is an example of what the uniform would have looked like with the proper name tape and civilian triangle patch. This uniform is complemented by its solid tan pants and patrol cap.

328


Acronyms

AAFES ACR ACU AMC BDU CCU CIVPU DBDU DCU DLA DPSC/ DSCP HBC IBC MARPA MARPA MI NCO NC OEF OIF OPFOR RRC RSC SBC SSI SSI-FW SSI- FWSS SPO IOH UNICOR


Army & Air Force Exchange Service Armored Cavalry Regiment Army Combat Uniorm Army Materiel Command Battle Dress Uniorm Close Combat Uniorm Civilian Protective Uniorm Desert Battle Dress Uniorm Uniorm Desert Combat Uniorm Deense Logistics Agency Deense Personal Support Center / Deense Supply Center Philadelphia Heavy Brigade Combat eam Inantry Brigade Combat eam Marine Pattern Uniorm Military Intelligence Non-Commissioned Non-Commissioned Officer National raining Center Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Opposing Force Regional Readiness Command Regional Support Command Stryker Brigade Combat eam Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Shoulder Sleeve Insignia–Former Wartime Service System Program Offices Te US Army Institute Institute o Heraldry Federal Prison Industries (FPI)

329

Acronyms

End Notes

Chapter One:

6. Anne D’Innocenzio, “DPSC goes to war. (Deense Personnel Support Center scrambles or clothing suppliers) Daily NewsRecord , 21 January 1991 (Harrisonburg, VA: Te Daily NewsRecord, 1991). 7. Staff writer, “Support Center Scrambles or Clothing Suppliers,” Daily News Record , 25 January 1991 (Harrisonburg, VA: Te Daily News-Record, 1991). 8. Urbina, “Stars and Stripes,” Harper’s Magazine. Magazine. 9. Benjamin Weiser, “Firms Rush to Keep US roops Supplied; Deployment Brings Surge o Business,” Te Washington Post , 18 December 1990. (Washington, DC: Te Washington Post, 1990). 10. Urbina, “Stars and Stripes,” Harper’s Magazine. Magazine. 11. MIL-DL-44048H, MIL-DL-44048H, DEAIL SPECIFICAION, COAS, CAMOUFLAGE CAMOUFL AGE PAERN, PAERN, COMBA . (Washington, (Washington, DC: US Department o Deense, Undated) p.7. p.7. 12. Deense Federal Federa l Acquisition Regulation Supplement, Supplement , SUBPAR SUBPAR 204.70--UNIFORM PROCUREMEN INSRUMEN IDENIFICAION NUMBERS, NUMBERS, Revised 11 March 2014, (www. (w ww. acq.osd.mil). 13. Author’s conversation with Arch Rigsby, an expert on modified DBDU/DCU uniorms and administrator o the OEF/OIF Forum (oeoi.orumotion.net), as well as the International Association o Combat & Militia Collectors Forum (iacmc. orumotion.com). 14. Eric H. Larson, “History and Development o the US Army Close Combat Uniorm (CCU/CU)” on the Camopedia website: (http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=CCU).

1. Cole, Survey of U.S. Army Uniforms. Uniforms . Tis is an expanded version o the classes on uniorms, field equipment, and small arms given at the Basic Curatorial Methods raining Course held at the US Army Medical Museum, Fort Sam Houston, exas, exas, in August 2007. Forces . 2. Tomas M. Pitkin, Quartermaster Equipment for Special Forces. (Washington, (Washington, DC: Office o the Quartermaster General, 1944) pp. 166–197. 3. George Anitole and Ronald L. Johnson, “Evaluation o Desert Camouflage Uniorms by Ground Observers.” (Fort Belvoir, Virginia: US Army Belvoir Research Development and Engineering Center with Contributions by Christopher J. Neubert, US Army Materiel Command, C ommand, Alexandria, Virginia 1987) pp. 7–12. 4. US Army Natick Research Report, “echnical “echnical Objective Document Do cument For Combat Clothing, Uniorms, And Integrated Protective Systems.” (Natick, MA: Development and Engineering Engineer ing Center, May 1988) pp. 7–8. 5. US Army Natick Research Report, “echnical “echnical Objective Document Do cument For Combat Clothing, Uniorms, And Integrated Protective Systems.” (Natick, MA: Development and Engineering Engineer ing Center, November 1991) p 7.

Chapter Two: 1. Department o the Army, Army Regulation 670-1: Uniforms and Insignia, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia . (Washington, (Washington, DC: Department Dep artment o the Army, 1 September 1992) p.119. 2. Anne D’Innocenzio, D’Innocen zio, “DPSC Lightens Up Desert Deser t Uniorms.” Uniorms.” Daily 14 September S eptember 1990 (Harrisonburg, ( Harrisonburg, VA: VA: Te Daily News Record 14 News-Record, 1990) and Urbina, “Stars and Stripes: Te G.I.’s Uniorm, Sewn With Conviction,” Conviction,” Harper’s Magazine, Magazine , 1 October 2003 (New York, NY: Harper’s Magazine Foundation, 2003). 3. NAICK P-32-1, Combat Equipment and Clothing . (Natick, MA: US Army Material Command, Soldier Systems Command February 2005) pp. 7–8. 4. Ibid., pp. 6–7. 5. GAO Report, “DOD Should Improve Development o Camouflage Uniorms and Enhance Collaboration Among the Services,” (Washington: DC: Government Accountability Office, September 2012) p.5.

End Notes

Chapter Three: 1. Department o the Army, Army, Army Regulation 10-87: Organization and Functions, Army Commands, Army Service Component Commands, and Direct Reporting Units . (Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department o the Army, Army, 4 September 2007) p. 2. 2. Ibid., p.3. 3. Ibid., p.4. 4. Ibid. 5. Ibid., p.5. 6. Ibid., p.6. 7. Ibid., p.7. 8. Ibid., p.8. 9. Ibid., p.9. 10. Ibid., p.10. 11. Ibid., p.11. 330


Chapter Six:

12. Ibid., p.13. 13. Ibid., p.21. 14. Ibid., p.20. 15. Ibid., p.18. 16. Ibid., p.16. 17. Ibid., p.15. 18. Ibid., p.18. 19. Ibid., p.24. 20. Ibid. 21. Ibid., p.25. 22. Ibid., p.13. 23. Department o the Army, Pamphlet 10-1: Organization and Functions, Organizations of the United States Army . (Washington, DC: Headquarters, D epartment o the Army, Army, 14 June 1994) p. 18. 24. Ibid., p.17.

1. John J. McGrath, Te Brigade: A History, Its Organization and Employment . (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, US Army C ombined Arms Center, 2004) p.xii. p.xii. 2. Ibid., pp. 48–56. 3. Ibid., pp. 59–63. 4. Army 4. Army imes, imes, “National Guard Deployments,” (Springfield VA: Sightline Media Group, September 2007) p.16.

Chapter Seven: 1. Lt. Col. Joseph R. Kurz, “Sustainment Essentials o the Persian Gul War.” Army War.” Army Sustainmen Sustainmentt Magazine Magazine, (Fort Lee, VA: Army Logistics University, University, January–February 2012) pp. 56–58. 2. Renae Merle, “Fighting, In Dollars and Cents.” Cents.” Washington Post , (Washington, DC: Te Washington Post, 12 April 2003) 3. Kurz, “Sustainment Essentials,” p 56–58. 4. Gen. Robert H. Scales, Certain Victory: Victory : Te U.S. Army in the Gulf War . (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, US Army Command and General Staff College Press, 1994) pp. 25–70. 5. Proessor Michael Clarke, “Beware sting in tail o speedy success,” London imes 13 imes 13 April 2003 (London, U.K.: imes Newspapers Newspaper s Limited , 2003) 6. Arundhati Roy,Te Roy, Te Ordinary Person’ Person’s Guide to Empire. Empire . (Brooklyn, NY: South End Press, 2004) pp. 2–5.

Chapter Four: 1. Col. Ralph R. Burr, “Te Beginnings o Heraldry in the Civil War: War: Symbols Rally the Spirit.” Army Information Information Digest D igest , (August 1961) pp. 15–21. 2. Shelby L. Stanton, Order of Battle Bat tle U.S. Army World War II . (Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1984) p 65–89. 3. Richard W. Smith and Roy R oy A. Pelz, Shoulder Pelz, Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the University o Evansville U.S. Army 1946–1976 . (Evansville, IN: University Press, 1978) pp. 12-50. 4. George S. Eckhardt, Vietnam Studies: Command and Control, (Washington, DC: Department Dep artment o the Army, Army, 1991) 1950–1969. (Washington, pp. 63–76. 5. Gregory Fontenot, On Point: Te United States Army in Operation O peration IRAQI FREEDOM . (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press US Army Combined Arms Center, 2004) pp. 21–75. 6. Dr. Donald P. Wright and Col. imothy R. Reese, On Point II: ransition to the New Campaign: the United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom, May 2003–January 2005. (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press, US Army Combined Arms Center, May 2008) p.29. 7. Dr. Donald Dona ld P. P. Wright, A Wright, A Different Different Kind Kind of War: Te United United States States Army in OPERA OPERAION ION ENDURING FREEDOM October October 2001– Le avenworth, worth, KS: Combat Studies Institute September 2005. (Fort Leaven Press, US Army C ombined Arms Center, 2010) p.44. p.44. 8. Charles Jaco, Te Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Gulf War . (Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books, Te Penguin Group, Group, 2002) pp. 216–241.

Chapter Eight: 1. Robert Rober t W. W. Jones Jr., “A Legacy o Support, Supp ort, Te 528th 528 th Sustainment Sustain ment Brigade.” Veritas; Veritas; Journal o Ar my Special Operations History, Vol 5, No 3, (Fort Bragg, NC: US Army Special Operations Command, 2009) pp. 21–28. 2. om Clancy, Shadow Warriors: Inside the Special Forces . (New York, G.P G .P.. Putman’ Putma n’s Sons, S ons, 1988) 19 88) p.397. 3. Ibid, pp. 431–433. 4. Ibid, pp. 433–441. 5. Ibid, pp. 441–444. 6. Ibid, p.448. 7. Charles H. Briscoe, Weapon of Choice: US Army Special Operations Ope rations Forces in Afghanistan. Afghanistan . (Fort Leavenworth, KS, Combat C ombat Studies Institute, US Army Combined Arms Center, 2003) pp. 146–171. 8. Wright, A Wright, A Different Different Kind of War War , p 50–122. 9. Charles H. Briscoe, All Roads Lead to Baghdad: Army Special Operations Forces in Iraq. Iraq . (Fort Bragg, NC, US Army Special Operations Command History Office, August 2013) pp. 308–311. 10. Wright and Reese, On Point II , ransition ransition to the New Campaign, Campaig n, pp. 35–60.

Chapter Five: Chapter Nine:

1. Although prior to this time t ime the National Guard units o the States had been organized into “divisions,” they were divisions in name only. Tey had little or no experience in working with the soldiers rom other states that had been designated part o their division. 2. American Legion, Source Records of the Great War Volume VII . VII . (Indianapolis, IN: American Legion Press, 1931) p.19. 3. Stephen L. Harris, Duffy’s War. (Dulles, VA: Potomac Books, 2006) pp. 52–53. 4. Te 26th was organized as a division during Desert Storm but did not deploy. 5. Te 75th was organized as a division during Desert Storm but did not deploy. DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

1. Found at www.globalsecurity.o www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/Army rg/military/agency/Army.. 2. Found at www.minnesotanationalguard.org. (Minnesota National Guard State Headquarters). 3. Patrick Dawson, Daws on, “Wyoming’s “Wyoming’s Long radition o Serv Service” ice” on www. wyofile.com/patrick_dawson/wyomings-long-tradition-oservice.; serv ice.; and Melnyk, Les’. Les’. “Mobilizing or the Storm; Te Army National Guard in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Dese rt Storm.” Storm.” (Washington, DC: National Guard Bureau Office o Public Affairs, Historical Services Division, 2001) p. 6; and at www. au.a.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ng/desertstorm.pd (US Air Force Official Homepage). 331

End Notes

Chapter Thirteen:

4. Found at www.ncdps.gov/NewsRelease.cm?id=1602, “N.C. National Guard Soldiers Deploy to Aghanistan, Aghan istan,”” 23 September 2013. 5. Found at www.history.Army www.history.Army.mil/html/orcestruc/HRC/2007/ .mil/html/orcestruc/HRC/2007/33433406_20071120_HRCMD.pd, HQDA Permanent Order 334-06 6. Found at www.icasualties.org/Iraq/Fatalities. www.icasualties.org/Iraq/Fatalities. 7. Melnyk, Mobi Mobilizin lizingg for the Storm, and www.au.a.mil/au/awc/ awcgate/ng/desertstorm.pd.

1. Jaco, Idiots Guide, Guide, p 123–168 and at http://www.globalsecurity. org/military/agency/usa. 2. http://www.globalsecurity. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usa. org/military/agency/usa. 3. Ibid. 4. US Air Force, “Fact Sheets: Operation Iraqi Freedom.” (www. afso.a.mil, Undated). 5. Ibid. 6. Ibid.

Chapter Ten: Chapter Fourteen:

1. Richard B. Curries and James Crossland, wice the Citizen: A History of the United States Army Reserve . (Washington, DC: Office o the Chie o the Army Reserve, 1984) pp. 13–50. 2. James . Currie, “Te Army Reserve and Vietnam,” Parameters; Parameters; Journal Journa l o the Army A rmy War War College, Col lege, Vol. XIV, XIV, No.3 (Carlisle, (Carlis le, PA: US Army War College, 1984) p. 17. 3. Army 3. Army Reserve Magazine Magazine,, “Army Reserve 91.” (Washington, DC: Chie, Army Reser ve, 1991) pp,12-27. 4. Office o Army Reserve Histor y, Army Reserve: A Concise Concise History History . (Fort Bragg, NC: United States Army Reserve Command, Undated) pp. 10-17. 5. Te Army Reserve Association website: http://www.Armyreserve. org/USARC_and_FIRS_ARMY.html/ org/USARC_and_FIRS_ARMY .html/ (Official homepage o the US Army Reserve Association) 6. Army 6. Army Reserve Reserve Magazine, Magazine, “Army Reserve 91.” pp. 27-28. 7. Ibid. 8. Deense Science S cience Board ask Force, “Deployment o Members o the National Guard and Reserve in the Global War on errorism.” (Washington, (Washington, DC: Office o the Under Secretary o Deense or Acquisition, echnology, and Logistics, September 2007). pp. 15-18. 9. Staff Writer, “Death toll rises or U.S. Reservists in Iraq.” USA oday , 10 October 2005(MacLean, VA: Gannett Satellite Inormation Network LLC, 2005). 10. Wright, A Wright, A Different Kind of War War , pp. 28–43.

Military ry Operat Operations ions Reference Reference Guide Guide . (Newport, 1. NWC 3153L, Join 3153L, Jointt Milita RI: US Naval War College, July 2011) p.122. 2. Justin Rohrlich, “Hull Envy: Te Looming Crisis o the US Coast News, (as reported in https://news.vice.com, on Guard.” Vice News, 31 May 2015). 3. Staff writer, “Coast Guard eams up with Navy, Marines.” US Coast Guard Edition, Te Daily Advance, Advance, 27 July 2014 (Elizabeth City, City, NC: Te Daily Advance, 2014) 4. Coast Guard Historian’s Office, “A Chronology o the US Coast Guard’s Involvement in the Persian Gul War 1990–1991.” (As ound on www.uscg.mil/history/articles/PersianGulChron. asp) 5. CNA Corporation, Coast Guard Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Freedom. (Alexandria, VA: CNA Corporation, October 2004) 6. Ibid. 7. Lt. Stephanie Young, “End o an Era.” (As published on the US Coast Guard website, http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2012/10/ http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2012/10/ end-o-an-era, 14 October 2012) 8. Ibid. 9. NWC 3153L, Join 3153L, Jointt Military Military Operations Operations,, p. 128. 10. Ibid., p.130. 11. Ibid., p.129. 12. LtCmdr. Kent G. Sieg, “ip o the spear: Te U.S. Coast Guard’s RAID in Aghanistan. Aghanis tan.”” Army Sustainmen Sustainmentt Magazine Magazine, (Fort Lee, VA: Army Logistics University, May–June 2013) pp. 31–33.

Chapter Eleven: 1. Stephen E. Ambrose, Duty, Honor, Country: A History of West Point . (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University University Press, 1966) pp. 35–76. 2. RADOC Historical Study Series, RANSFORMING HE ARMY, ARMY, RADOC’s First Tirty Years 1973–2003, 1973–2003 , (Fort Monroe, VA: Military History Office, United States Army raining and Doctrine C ommand, 2003) pp. pp. 22-50.

Chapter Fifteen: 1. Office o the Deputy Assistant Secretary Secretar y o Deense, Demographics, Profile of the Military Community . (Washington, DC: Department o Deense, 2012) p.17. 2. Federal Research Division, General Division, General and Flag Officer Authorizations for the Active Active and Reserve Components Components;; A compar comparati ative ve and historical analysis. (Washington, DC: Library o Congress, December 2007), p.16. 3. Army Regulation 670-1, p.104. 4. David Evans, “Let’ “L et’ss Forgo 5-star Rank For Powell And Schwarzkop.” Schwarzkop.” Chicago ribune, 22 March 1991 (Chicago, IL: ribune Publishing Company, 1991). 5. Army Regulation 670-1, p.105. 6. Ibid., p.110. 7. Ibid., p.107. 8. Army Regulation 614–100, p.36. 9. Army Regulation 670-1, p.106. 10. Ibid., pp. 159–161. 11. Ibid., pp. 161–162. 12. Ibid., pp. 160–161.

Chapter Twelve: 1. Jaco, Idiots Guide, Guide, pp. 202–203. 2. Te Marine Corps Association website: www.mca-Marines.org. www.mca-Marines.org. imes, 3. Dan Lemothe, “Marines in Aghanistan.” Marine Aghanistan.” Marine Corps imes, December 21, 2009. (Springfield, VA: VA: Sightline Media Group) 4. LG Wallace Wallace C. Gregson, “I Marine Expeditionary Force Summary o Action.” (Official report by Commander, Marine Forces Pacific, 7 August 2003) pp. 1–5. 5. Ibid., p 8–9. 6. LG LG James . . Conway, Conway, “I Marine Expeditionary Expedit ionary Force Command Commander er Live Briefing rom Iraq.” (ranscript (ranscript at http://www.deenselink. http:/ /www.deenselink. mil, 30 May 2003) p.1.

End Notes

332


Chapter Sixteen: 1. Inormation provided provided during interview with Col. (Ret.) James S. Ebertowski, commander o the 24th ransportation ransportation Battalion o the 7th ransportation Group during Desert Storm.

Chapter Seventeen: 1. Charles G. Dawes, A Dawes, A Journal of the Great War War . (New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company/Te Riverside Press, 1923) p.v. 2. Colin Powell, My American Journey . (New York, NY, Random House, 1995) p.532.

Appendix C: 1. US House o Representatives, Deploying Federal Civilians to the Battlefield: Incentives, Benefits, and Medical Care . (Washington, DC: Committee on Armed Services, Servi ces, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, April 2008) p.10. 2. Renae Merle, “Census Counts 100,000 Contractors in Iraq.” Washington Post , 5 December 2006 (Washington, DC: Te Washington Post, 2006).


333

End Notes

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Photographs: All color photographs o the artiacts and uniorms, unless otherwise credited, are provided courtesy o Kevin Born and Alison Hutton. Hutton. A number o other photographs included are courtesy o various governmental, military, or historical organizations. organizations. Without their generosity, generosity, this work would not be complete. Tese include: Special Collections & Archives Division, USMA Library Te Library o Congress Te Institute o Heraldry Te National Archives Te National Guard Educational Foundation Te New York York Department o Military and Naval Affairs Te United States Special Operations Command (USASOC) Te US Army Center o Military History (CMH) Te US Army Military History Institute (USAMHI) Te US Army Quartermaster Museum (USAQM) Te US Marine Corps C orps History Division (USMC HD) Virginia National Guard Historical Collection


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Index

North Dakota, 84, 100, 180, 193 Ohio, 81, 83, 103, 116, 194, 269 Oklahoma, 107, 115, 194 Oregon, 66, 110, 114, 195 Pennsylvania, 66, 81, 181, 195 Puerto Rico, 116, 181, 195 Rhode Island, 83, 109, 132, 196 South Carolina, 66, 94, 110, 119, 140, 196 South Dakota, 110, 196 ennessee, 83, 97, 98, 105, 110, 197 exas, 82, 84, 134, 197 Utah, 127, 165, 198, 201 Vermont, 58, 83, 84, 121, 198, 283 Virgin Islands, 182, 198 Virginia, 5, 66, 81, 108, 181, 182, 184, 198, 336, 337 Washington, 66, 100, 116, 134, 199 West Virginia, 83, 199 Wyoming, 109, 200

Army: First, 44, 57, 58, 256 Tird, 29, 43, 45, 57, 58-60, 80, 128, 139, 262, 310 Fourth, 60 Fih, 41, 45, 61 Sixth, 41, 45, 61 Seventh, 61 Eighth, 61 Army National Guard: Alabama, 102, 139, 165, 180, 182 Alaska, 48, 142, 182 Arizona, 100, 110, 180, 183 Arkansas, 100, 110, 114, 183 Caliornia, 82, 100, 116, 133, 142, 155, 181, 183 Colorado, 48, 110, 142, 180, 184 Connecticut, 83, 184 Delaware, 66, 83, 140, 184 District o Columbia, 134, 179, 181, 184 Florida, 94, 82, 115, 184 Georgia, 85, 185 Guam, 46, 185 Hawaii, 46, 83, 185 Idaho, 66, 100, 101, 185 Illinois, 102, 114, 165, 186 Indiana, 83, 100, 116, 180, 181, 186 Iowa, 57, 82, 145, 186, 328 Kansas, 82, 100, 103, 109, 187, 311 Kentucky, 83, 98, 109, 187 Louisiana, 17, 120, 188 Maine, 83, 188 Maryland, 66, 81, 83, 184, 188 Massachusetts, 83, 179, 187 Michigan, 83, 134, 189, 200 Minnesota, 82, 84, 190, 236 Mississippi, 97, 98, 100, 112, 125, 160, 190 Missouri, 82, 100, 104, 108, 180, 190, 201 Montana, 190, 338 Nebraska, 82, 191 Nevada, 191 New Hampshire, 83, 111, 191 New Jersey, 66, 81, 83, 84, 184, 192 New Mexico, 94, 158, 192 New York, 9, 66, 83, 111, 113, 140, 192, 292 North Carolina, 98, 104, 109, 181, 193 Index

Army Special Operations: 1st Special Forces Group, 165 3rd Special Forces Group, 165 5th Special Forces Group, 25, 165, 174 7th Special Forces Group, 165 10th Special Forces Group, 165 11th Special Forces Group, 165 12th Special Forces Group, 165 19th Special Forces Group, 165 20th Special Forces Group, 165 75th Ranger Regiment, 156, 175, 284 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), 158, 175 528th Special Operations Support Battalion (SOSB) or 528th Sustainment Brigade, 169 Civil Affairs and Psychological Psychological Operations Command, 167, 168 Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), 170 Special Operations Command Central (SOCCEN), 170, 171 Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), 171 Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), (SOCPAC), 172 Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR), 172 Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUH), 172 US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), 43, 47, 164, 168, 169, 337 US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM), 43, 47, 164, 169

338


20th Aviation Brigade, 100 66th Aviation Brigade, 100 77th Aviation Brigade, 100 110th Aviation Brigade, 100 128th Aviation Brigade, 100 244th Aviation Brigade, 100

Army raining raining Centers and S chools: Air Deense Artillery (ADA) School, 210, 211 Armor School, 98, 210 Army Engineer School (USAES), 211 Army Sergeants Major Academy, 209 Army War College, 208 Combined Arms Center (USACAC), 208 Combined Arms Support Command (USACASCOM), 209 Deense Language Institute, 214 Field Artillery School, 112, 211 Inantry Center and School, 211 John F. Kennedy Special Warare Center and School (SWCS), 211, 213 Joint Readiness raining raining Center (JRC), ( JRC), 120, 209, 213, 273, 295 Military Police School, 211, 212 National raining Center (NC), 96, 97, 99, 209, 213, 295, 308 Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School, 212 Quartermaster Center and School, 212 Signal Center and School, 211, 212 ransportation Corps Center and School, 213 Western Hemisphere Institute or Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), 214 US Military Academy (USMA), 50, 208, 210

Cavalry: 6th Cavalry Brigade, 101 21st Cavalry Brigade, 101 116th Cavalry Brigade, 101 163rd Cavalry Regiment, 117 Chemical: 3rd Chemical Brigade, 102 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade, 67, 102 415th Chemical Brigade, 102 455th Chemical Brigade, 102 460th Chemical Brigade, 102 464th Chemical Brigade, 102 Engineers: 7th Engineer Brigade, 103 16th Engineer Brigade, 103 18th Engineer Brigade, 103 20th Engineer Brigade, 103, 104 30th Engineer Brigade, 104 35th Engineer Brigade, 104 36th Engineer Brigade, 104, 105 130th Engineer Brigade, 105 194th Engineer Brigade, 105 411th Engineer Brigade, 105 412th Teater Engineer Command, 105 416th Teater Engineer Command, 106 420th Engineer Brigade, 106 555th Engineer Group, Group, 106

Brigades: Air Deense Artillery: 10th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 92 11th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 92 31st Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 92 32nd Air and Missile Deense Command (AMDC), 93 35th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 93 69th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 93 94th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 93 108th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 94 111th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 94 164th Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 94 263rd Air Deense Artillery Brigade, 94

Armored Cavalry: 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 95, 111 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 96 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 96 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 27, 30, 96, 97 108th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 97 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 97

Field Artillery: 17th Field Artillery Brigade, 107 18th Field Artillery Brigade, 107, 309 41st Field Artillery Brigade, 107 42nd Field Artillery Brigade, 107 45th Field Artillery Brigade (Fires), 107 54th Field Artillery Brigade, 108 56th Field Artillery Command, 108, 283 57th Field Artillery Brigade, 108 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, 108 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 108 103rd Field Artillery Brigade, 109 113rd Field Artillery Brigade, 109 115th Field Artillery Brigade, 109 130th Field Artillery Brigade, 109 135th Field Artillery Brigade, 109 138th Field Artillery Brigade, 109 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, 110 147th Field Artillery Brigade, 110 151st Field Artillery Brigade, 110 153rd Field Artillery Brigade, 110 169th Field Artillery Brigade, 110

Armor: 30th Armored Brigade, 31, 33, 98, 114 149th Armor Brigade also 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 98 155th Armored Brigade, 98 177th Armored Brigade, 98 194th Armored Brigade, 98 Aviation: 1st Aviation Brigade, 99 11th Aviation Brigade, 99 12th Aviation Brigade, 99 17th Aviation Brigade, 99 18th Aviation Brigade, 99 DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

339

Index

196th Field Artillery Brigade, 110, 180 197th Field Artillery Brigade, 111 209th Field Artillery Brigade, 111 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 111 212th Field Artillery Brigade, 111 214th Field Artillery Brigade, 111 227th Field Artillery Brigade, 112 428th Field Artillery Brigade, 112 434th Field Artillery Brigade, 112 479th Field Artillery Brigade, 112 631st Field Artillery Brigade, 112

807th Medical Brigade, 125 818th Hospital Center, 125 Military Intelligence: 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, 126 201st Military Intelligence Brigade also 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BFSB), 126 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, 126 207th Military Intelligence Brigade, 126 300th Military Intelligence Brigade, 127 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, 127 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, 127 501st Military Intelligence Brigade, 127 504th Military Intelligence Brigade, 128 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, 128 525th Military Intelligence Brigade, 129 650th Military Intelligence Group, 129 704th Military Intelligence Brigade, 129

Inantry: 26th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 113 27th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 113 29th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 113 30th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 114 32nd Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 114 33rd Inantry Brigade Br igade Combat eam, 114 39th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 114 41st Inantry Brigade Combat eam, eam, 114 45th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 115 48th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 115 53rd Inantry Brigade Br igade Combat eam, 115 73rd Inantry Brigade, 116 76th Inantry Brigade Combat eam, 116 81st Inantry Brigade Combat eam, eam, 116 92nd Inantry Brigade Combat, 116 116th Separate Inantry Brigade, 117 172nd Inantry Brigade, 117 173rd Inantry Brigade, 118 187th Inantry Brigade, 119 193rd Inantry Regiment, 119 196th Inantry Brigade, 119 197th Inantry Brigade, 119 218th Inantry Brigade (Heavy Separate), 119 256th Inantry Brigade Br igade Combat eam, 120 442nd Inantry Regimental Combat eam, eam, 120 501st Airborne Inantry Regiment Medical, 120 509th Parachute Inantry Regiment, 120 Berlin Brigade, 121

Military Police: 8th Military Police Brigade, 130 11th Military Police Brigade, 130 14th Military Police Brigade, 130 15th Military Police Brigade, 130 16th Military Police Brigade, 130, 131 18th Military Police Brigade, 131, 132 42nd Military Police Brigade, 132 43rd Military Police Brigade, 132 49th Military Police Brigade, 133 89th Military Police Brigade, 133, 134 177th Military Police Brigade, 134 220th Military Police Brigade, 134 221st Military Police Brigade, 134 260th Military Police Brigade, 134 290th Military Police Brigade, 134 300th Military Police Command, 135 800th Military Police Brigade, 135 US Army Military Police Brigade-Hawaii, Brigade-Hawaii, 135 Signal: 1st Signal Brigade, 136 2nd Signal Brigade, 136 3rd Signal Brigade, 136 5th Signal Command, 136 7th Signal Command, 136 11th Signal Brigade, 137 21st Signal Brigade, 137 22nd Signal Brigade, 138 35th Signal Brigade, 138 93rd Signal Brigade, 139 142nd Signal Brigade, 139 160th Signal Brigade, 139 187th Signal Brigade, 140 228th Signal Brigade, 140 261st Teater actical actical Signal Brigade (SB), 140 311th Signal Command, 140 335th Teater Signal C ommand, 140 359th Teater actical Signal Brigade, 140

Medical: 1st Medical Brigade, 122 2nd Medical Brigade, 122 3rd Medical Command C ommand (Deployment Support) (MCDS), 122 4th Medical Brigade, 122 8th Medical Brigade, 122 18th Medical Command, 122 30th Medical Brigade, 123 32th Medical Brigade, 123 44th Medical Brigade, 124 62nd Medical Brigade, 124 213th Medical Brigade, 125 330th Medical Brigade, 125 332nd Medical Brigade, 125 338th Medical Brigade, 125 804th Medical Brigade, 125

Index

340


516th Signal Brigade, 141 1101st Signal Brigade, 141 1104st Signal Brigade, 141 1107st Signal Brigade, 141 1108th Signal Brigade, 141 1109th Signal Brigade, 141

US Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM), 55 US Northern Command C ommand (USNORHCOM), (USNORHCOM), 41, 45, 151 US Space Command (USSPACECOM), 43 US Southern Command (USSOUHCOM), 41, 45, 125, 127 US ransportation ransportation Command (USRANSCOM), 42, 43, 47 Corps: I, 44, 57, 62 II, 57, 62 III, 44, 57, 58, 62, 106, 108, 111, 136, 242 V, 58, 63, 107, 283 VII, 57, 64, 67, 68, 70, 73, 93, 95, 103, 108, 126, 148, 175, 312 IX, 203 XVIII Airborne, 44, 57, 58, 64, 79, 85, 88, 94, 96, 98, 103, 110, 124, 147, 175, 242

Space and Missile: 1st Space Brigade, 142 100th Missile Deense Brigade (MDB), 142

Camp Pike (Little Rock, Arkansas), 102 Camp Shelby (Hattiesburg, Mississippi), 98 Commands and Activities: 1st Field Force, 56 1st Inormation Operations Command, 53 2nd Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC), 53 Air raffic Services C ommand (ASCOM), (ASCOM), 53 Army Broadcasting Service (ABS), 51 Army Inormation Data Systems Command, 52 Combined Forces Command–Aghanistan (CFC-A), 39, 204 Joint Communications Communications Support Element ( JCSE), 54 Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), 40, 41, 44 Joint Personnel Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA), ( JPRA), 55 Military Assistance Command- Vietnam, 56 Military District o Washington (MDW), 48 Multi-National Multi-National Corps–Iraq (MNC-I), 40 Multinational Multinational Force and Obser vers (MFO), 55, 82, 86, 115, 127 Multi-National Multi-National Force–Iraq (MNF–I), 39, 40 Southern Europe ask Force (SEAF), 43, 47, 48, 307 Space and Missile Command (SMDC), 43, 47, 48, 142 Surace Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), 43, 47, 48, 252 US Army Alaska (USARAK), 46 US Army Corps o Engineers (USACE), 48, 325 US Army Criminal Investigation Investigation Command (USACIDC), 48, 269 US Army Element, Allied Command Europe, 54, 55, 129 US Army Element Headquarters Pacific C ommand (USAPACOM}, 41, 45, 46, 172 US Army Europe (USAREUR), 41, 44, 105, 121, 282 US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), 41, 43, 44 US Army Human Resources Command (HRC), 50, 51 US Army Inormation Systems Engineering Command (USAISEC), 52 US Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM), 50 US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), 49, 53, 127 US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM), 18, 49, 202 US Army Pacific (USARPAC), 46, 122, 127, 141 US Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), 51 US Army Security Agency (ASA), 49, 56 US Army South (USARSO), 127 US Army Support Command, Hawaii, 46 US Army est and Evaluation Command (AEC), 50 US Army raining raining and Doctrine Command (RADOC), 44, 119, 209 US Army rial Deense Service, 53 US Central Command (CENCOM), 39, 41, 42, 45, 47, 59, 144, 235, 236, 238, 248 DESERT UNIFORMS, PATCHES, AND INSIGNIA OF THE US ARMED FORCES

Divisions: 1st Armored Division, “Old Ironsides,” 22, 36, 67, 68, 74, 76, 153, 295 1st Cavalry Division, “First eam,” 19, 56, 68, 69, 70, 153, 181 1st Inantry Division, “ Te Big Red One,” 19, 70, 71, 111, 242, 294, 297, 298 1st Marine Division, “Te Old Breed,” 71 2nd Armored Division, “Hell on Wheels,” 13, 71, 78 2nd Inantry Division, “Indianhead,” “Indianhead,” 32, 33, 35, 71, 72, 95, 99, 101 2nd Marine Division, “ Te Silent Second,” Second,” 73 3rd Armored Division, “Spearhead Division,” 73, 76 3rd Inantry Division, “Rock o the Marne,” 74, 75, 78, 152, 228, 242, 316 4th Inantry Division, “Ivy” or “Iron Horse,” 58, 71, 75, 106, 152, 314, 316 5th Inantry Division, “Red Diamond,” 76 7th Inantry Division, “Bayonet,” 76 8th Inantry Division, “Pathfinder,” 76 9th Inantry Division, “Old Reliables,” 76 10th Mountain Division, (Light Inantry), “Mountaineers,” 19, 21, 77, 78, 105, 152, 262, 283, 299, 309 23rd Inantry Division, “Americal,” 78 24th Inantry Division, “ aro Lea ” or “Victory Division,” Division,” 20, 79, 80, 233, 269 25th Inantry Division, “ropic Lightning,” 33, 35, 80, 81, 120, 153, 280 26th Inantry Division, “Yankee” “Yankee” also 26th In Bde or 26th IBC, 67, 113 27th Inantry Division, “New York” York” also 27th In B de or 27th IBC, 67, 113 28th Inantry Division, “Keystone,” 81 29th Inantry Division, “Blue and Gray,” 81, 108, 308 30th Inantry Division, “Old Hickory” also 30th In Bde (Mech) (Sep) or 30th HBC, 31, 33, 66, 67, 114 31st Inantry Division, “Dixie” also 31st Arm Bde (Sep) or 31st Chem Bde, 67, 102 32nd Inantry Division “Red Arrow” also 32nd In B de (Mech) or 32nd IBC, 67, 114 33rd Inantry Division “Prairie” also 33rd In Bde or 33rd IBC, 67, 84 34th Inantry Division, “Red Bull,” Bull,” 82 35th Inantry Division, “Santa Fe,” 82 36th Inantry Division, “Arrowhead” or “exas Division,” 82 341

Index

37th Inantry Division, “Buckeye” also Headquarters, 73rd In Bde or Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Company, 37th Arm Bde, 67, 116, 194 38th Inantry Division, “Cyclone,” 83 40th Inantry Division, “Sunshine” or “Sunburst,” 83 41st Inantry Division, “Sunset also 41st In Bde or 41st BC, BC, 67, 114 42nd Inantry Division, “Rainbow,” 83 45th Inantry Division “Tunderbird” also 45th In Bde (Sep) or 45th IBC, 67, 107, 115 47th Inantry Division, “Viking,” 84 49th Armored Division, “Lone Star,” 84 50th Armored Division, “Jersey Blues,” 84 63rd Inantry Division “Blood and Fire” also 63d ARC or 63rd RRC or 63d RSC, 67, 203 70th Inantry Division also 70th Regiment (Inantry One Station Unit raining) or 70th Division (raining) or 124th ARC or 70th RRC or 70th RSC, 67, 204 75th Inantry Division also 75th Division (raining (raining Support) or 75th raining Command (Mission Command), 67, 204 76th Inantry Division (Institutional raining), raining), “Onaway” or “Liberty Bell,” 84 77th Inantry Division “Statue o Liberty” also 77th RRC or 77th Sust Bde, 66, 77, 69, 153 78th Inantry Division (raining Support), “Lightning,” 84 79th Inantry Division, “Lorraine” also 79th ARC, 67, 204 80th Inantry Division (Institutional raining), “Blue Ridge,” 84 81st Inantry Division, “Wildcat” also 81st ARC or 81st RSC or 81st RRC, 16, 67, 205, 82nd Airborne Division (Airborne), “All-Americans,” 21, 85, 86, 120, 179, 233, 265, 277, 304, 310, 311 83rd Inantry Division, “Ohio” also 83rd ARC, 67, 205 84th Inantry Division (Institutional raining), “Railsplitters,” 86 85th Inantry Division (raining Support), “Custer,” 86 86th Inantry Division, “Black Hawk” Hawk” also 86th ARC, 67 87th Inantry Division (raining Support), “Golden Acorn,” 86 88th Inantry Division, “Blue Devil” also 88th ARC or 88th RRC, 67, 206 89th Inantry Division, “Middle West” West” also 89th ARC or 89th RRC, 67 90th Inantry Division, “ ough Ombres” also 90th ARC or 90th RSC, or 90th RRC or 90th Sust B de, 67, 154 91st Inantry Division (raining Support), “Powder River,” 87 94th Inantry Division also 94th ARC or 94th RSC or 94th RRC, 67, 206 95th Inantry Division (raining), “Iron Men o Metz” or “Victory,” 87 96th Inantry Division “Dead Eye” also 96th ARC or 96th RSC or 96th RRC or 96th Sustainment Bde, 67, 155 97th Inantry Division also 97th ARC, 67, 206 98th Inantry Division (Institutional raining), “Iroquois,” 87 99th Inantry Division also 99th ARC or 99th RSC or 99th RRC, 67, 207 100th Inantry Division (Institutional raining), raining), “Century, 87 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), “ Te Screaming Eagles,” Eagles,” 7, 14, 15, 19, 33, 47, 56, 83, 88, 89, 90, 106, 121, 177, 180, 270, 271, 283, 296, 313-315, 316, 327 104th Inantry Division (Institutional raining), “imberwol,” 19, 90

Index

108th Inantry Division (Institutional raining), raining), “Golden Griffins, Griffins ,” 90 Forts: Benning (Columbus, Georgia), 11, 74, 98, 119, 166, 167, 210, 214, 274, 277 Bliss (El Paso, exas), 92, 93, 94, 96, 111, 153, 209, 210, 211, 295 Bragg (Fayetteville, North Carolina), 43, 47, 58, 64, 85, 99, 103, 107, 124, 129, 138, 147, 165, 201, 211 Campbell (Clarkesville, ennessee), ennessee), 15, 88, 157, 165, 316 Devens (Ayer, Massachusetts), 165, 206 Dix (Wrightstown, New Jersey), 100, 153 Eustis (Lee Hall, Virginia), 100, 158, 212, 250, 257, 284 Gordon (Atlanta, (Atlanta, Georgia), 139, 140, 211, 212 Hood (Killeen, exas), 13, 58, 62, 68, 75, 92, 93, 101, 105, 107, 122, 128, 133, 136, 149, 152, 153, 242 Irwin, National raining Center (Barstow, Caliornia), 66, 97, 98, 209, 213, 295, 308 Jackson (Columbia, South Carolina), 119, 202, 212, 213, 279 Knox (Stithton, Kentucky), 50, 98, 149, 204, 205, 210 Lee (Petersburg, Virginia), 122, 157, 158, 203, 209, 212, 277, 294 Leonard Wood, Missouri, 102, 130, 211, 212 Lewis (acoma, Washington), 35, 62, 71, 76, 93, 95, 100, 106, 107, 111, 124, 126, 132, 165, 166 Meade (Admiral, Maryland), 58, 129, 140, 165 McClellan (Anniston, Alabama), 211, 212 McCoy (Sparta, Wisconsin), 205, 206 Polk (Alexandria, Louisiana), 76, 77, 94, 95, 120, 209, 213, 295 Riley (Manhattan, Kansas), 67, 70, 79 Sam Houston (San Antonio, exas), 41, 45, 49, 61, 123, 212 Sill (Lawton, Oklahoma), 87, 108, 111, 112, 208, 210, 211 Sustainment Units: Army Materiel Command (AMC), 44, 148, 323, 325 1st Corps Support Command (COSCOM), 147 2nd Support Command, 143 3rd Logistics Command, 149 13th Corps Support Command, 149, 243 21st Support Command, 150 19th Teater Support Command also 19th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 150 22nd Support Command, 13, 144, 145, 285 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 152 4th Sustainment Brigade, 152 10th Sustainment Brigade, 152 15th Sustainment Brigade, 153 45th Sustainment Brigade, 153 55th Sustainment Brigade, 153 77th Sustainment Brigade, 67, 69, 153 89th Sustainment Brigade, 153, 154 90th Sustainment Brigade, 67, 154 96th Sustainment Brigade, 67, 155 108th Sustainment Brigade, 155 321st Sustainment Brigade, 155 1st Personnel Command, 161 3rd Personnel Command, 161 10th Personnel Command, 144, 145 3rd ransportation Brigade, 158 7th ransportation ransportation Brigade, 158, 284, 285, 287, 324 32nd ransportation ransportation Brigade, 159

342


37th ransportation ransportation Command, 159 425th ransportation ransportation Brigade, 160 49th Quartermaster Group, 158 156th Quartermaster Command, 158 115th Area Support Group, 155 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD), 157 59th Ordnance Brigade, 157 167th Teater Sustainment Command, 151 377th Corps Support Command, 151 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 160 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 160 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 140, 151 336th Finance Command, 161 US Army Acquisition Command, 50

US Coast Guard: Deployable Operations Group (DOG), 249, 256, 257, 258 Deployable Specialized Forces (DSFs), 249 Law Enorcement Detachments (LEDES), 248, 249 Maritime Saety and Security Secur ity eams eams (MSS), 247, 249, 251, 252 Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PAFOR SWA), 248, 252, 255 Port Security Units (PSUs), 249, 250 Port Security Unit 301, 246, 247, 250 Port Security Unit 302, 250 Port Security Unit 303, 247, 250 Port Security Unit 305, 250 Port Security Unit 307, 250 Port Security Unit 308, 250 Port Security Unit 309, 247, 250 Port Security Unit 310, 250 Port Security Unit 311, 250 Port Security Unit 312, 250 Port Security Unit 313, 250, 254 PSU raining Detachment (RADE), 250 Redeployment Assistance and Inspection Detachments, 249, 252, 260 actical Law Enorcement eams (ACLE), 249, 251, 252,

US Air Force: 18th Air Support Operations Group, 242 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, 242 173rd Air Reueling Wing, 238 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, 240 447th Air Expeditionary Group, Group, 237 606th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron, 236 4404th Composite Squadron, 232 US Central Command Air Forces (CENAF), 233, 235 US Air Forces Central Command C ommand (USAFCEN), 235, 236

US Marine Corps: 1st Marine Division, 8, 71, 227, 228, 229, 230 2nd Marine Division, 19, 71, 73, 227 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 228 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), 227 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 228 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 228

US Army Reserve: IX Corps also 9th RSC and 9th Mission Support Support Command, 203 63rd Regional Readiness Command, 67, 203 65th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 203 70th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 204 75th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 204 79th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 204 81st Regional Readiness Command, 67, 205 83rd Regional Readiness Command, 67, 205 86th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 205 88th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 206 94th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 206 97th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 206 99th Regional Readiness Command, 67, 207 Army Reserve Medical Command C ommand (AR-MEDCOM), (AR-MEDCOM), 18, 202 Army Reserve Readiness Command, 202 Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC), 53, 202


US Navy: Maritime Expeditionary Security Force, 223, 250 Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, 221, 222 Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 17 “Desert Battalion, B attalion,” 222 Navy Combined ask Group 56.5 (CG 56.5), 248, 249 Seabee, 215, 216, 221, 222, 223, 230, 302 SEAL, 32, 172, 175, 216, 220, 250

343

Index

Mxdoc.com Desert Uniforms Patches and Insignia of the Us Arm.

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