US Army Intelligence Agency

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US ARMY INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

Arms of US Army Intelligence Agency

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)
Arms of US Army Intelligence Agency

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: A disc 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in width overall divided vertically silver gray and oriental blue bearing a heraldic rose charged at its center with a terrestrial globe all counterchanged and all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) blue border.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a 1777-1780 Continental Dragoon’s gold helmet (blue band, white crest and black visor) bearing a silver gray heraldic rose all in front of and extending below in base, a red disc within a black annulet inscribed at the top “THE SILENT WARRIOR” in gold letters.

Origin/meaning

SSI: Oriental blue and silver gray are the colors used for Military Intelligence. The rose, an ancient symbol for secrecy or silence, together with the globe, symbolizes the sub rosa aspects inherent in the operational activities and worldwide mission of the organization. The insignia is to be worn with the silver gray area of the rose facing to the front and one point down. The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 25 February 1976. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-591)

DUI: Oriental blue and silver gray are the colors used for Military Intelligence. The rose, suggested by the branch insignia, is emblematic of secrecy. The color red alludes to courage and the color black to the unknown. The helmet refers to Major Benjamin Tallmadge’s Troop of Continental Dragoons and their role as “eyes” of the military in probing the unknown, seeking to determine conditions and tactical movements and, in general, “harassment” of the enemy. All of these functions allude to the modern military intelligence mission. The Insignia was approved on 25 February 1976.


Literature: Image from Olompvo on Pinterest and from Wikimedia Commons.