640th Military Intelligence Battalion, California Army National Guard
640TH MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION, CALIFORNIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Official blazon
Shield: Per pale Argent (Silver Gray) and Sable a chess knight Azure (Oriental Blue) charged with a lightning bolt palewise Or (Golden Yellow), a checky of the last and the second.
Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the California Army National Guard: From a wreath Argent and Sable, the setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant on a grassy field all Proper.
Motto: WE SHALL.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per pale Argent (Silver Gray) and Sable a chess knight Azure (Oriental Blue) charged with a lightning bolt palewise Or (Golden Yellow), a chief checky of the last and the second. Attached above the shield is a black scroll inscribed: "WE SHALL" in gold.
Origin/meaning
Oriental blue and silver gray are the colors traditionally used by the Military Intelligence Corps. Gold is emblematic of excellence and black recalls stealth. The gold and black squares represent day and night plus the overt and covert operations of the unit's around the clock vigilance. They form the illusion of a chessboard and together with the chess knight, embody strategy and determination. The flash highlights speed of operation and emphasizes the role of combat electronic warfare on the battlefield.
The Coat of Arms and Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 5 August 1999.
Literature: Image from Olompvo on Pinterest. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army
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