172nd Infantry Brigade, US Army
172ND INFANTRY BRIGADE, US ARMY
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a upright blue rectangle with rounded ends 3 inches (7.62cm) by 2 inches (5.08cm) overall, and within a narrow white border and a wider red border 1/8 inch (.32cm) in width, a representation of the Great Dipper and North Star in yellow above two white-capped mountains and overall from top to bottom a blue bayonet, point up, edged white.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall, consisting of a white triangular shape, the base of which is broken by four smaller blue triangles. Placed vertically in the center of the main triangle is a gold Totem Pole. Running parallel to the right hand side of the triangle and passing behind the Totem Pole is a blue and silver bayonet, to left of the Totem Pole is an eight pointed red star (a mullet), below the triangle is a silver motto scroll bearing the inscription “CAVEAT” in black letters.
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Combat arms colors are represented with the bayonet alluding to the Infantry and symbolizing attack. The Great Dipper and North Star allude to Alaska and the mountains refer to the terrain over which the units will maneuver to gain and hold ground.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: The basic white triangle represents a snow capped mountain representing the Alaskan terrain in which the unit is trained to operate. The Totem Pole of an American Eagle sitting upon a Russian Bear, is representative of the purchase of Alaska from Russia. The bayonet symbolizes the Infantry, as does the Infantry blue at the base of the mountain. The red mullet alludes to the Great Dipper, and the North Star which represents Alaska the State in which the Brigade was organized and serves. The red color of the mullet symbolizes the Artillery. The motto “CAVEAT” (meaning “Let Him Beware”) is placed on the motto scroll.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was authorized on 28 August 1963. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was authorized on 8 June 1966. Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.