US Army Materiel Command
US ARMY MATERIEL COMMAND
(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
(Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: On a shield 2 1/2 inches overall in height divided per pairle (three sections) white, red and blue, a white lozenge in fess (center) point all within a 1/8 inch white border.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in height overall consisting of a globe quarterly scarlet and ultramarine blue gridlined gold surmounting the base of a white truncated pyramid; arcing between and above the pyramid a gold motto scroll inscribed "AMERICA'S" in black letters and arcing below the globe a gold motto scroll inscribed "ARSENAL FOR THE BRAVE" in black letters. Overall issuing from the center of the globe to the upper scroll a white notched pile arched and embattled of four merlons.
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: The lozenge and white areas represent the command and control elements of the organization with the red area used to represent the Army and the blue area industry. The white area also alludes to the flow of materiel through the equal and combined efforts of the Army and industry as directed.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: Elements of the insignia design were adapted from the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia and mission of the United States Army Materiel Command. The white crenellated design at the top of the insignia refers to command and control. The four merlons, which simulate the cogs in a gear wheel, allude to the four major functions of the command’s mission. The pyramid, a symbol of strength and support, is truncated to indicate the continuing research, development, production, procurement, storage, transportation, standardization and distribution of materiel as assigned or required. The white areas simulate the letter "M" for materiel and the globe indicates the world wide scope of the Command’s responsibility in providing technical and professional guidance and assistance for planning and conducting logistics services of the Army elements of unified and specified commands and other United States and foreign customers, with scarlet referring to the military and blue referring to industry. The command’s motto, "AMERICA’S ARSENAL FOR THE BRAVE" reflects the mission of providing outstanding support to the total Army.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was originally approved for US Army Materiel Command on 29 October 1962; redesignated for US Army Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM) ON 23 February 76; and redesignated for US Army Materiel Command on 23 November 1984. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved Army Materiel Command on 2 June 1969; redesignated for Material Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM) on 23 February 1976; and redesignated for Army Material Command on 23 November 1984. It was cancelled on 24 December 1992 with the current design and motto change approved on 24 December 1992
Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.