California Army National Guard, US
CALIFORNIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, US
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
(Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
 (Crest) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: On a blue hexagon one side up, 1 3/4 inches (4.45 cm) on a side, a setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant on a grassy field all proper on a twist of yellow and red.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: On a hexagon Azure one side up, the crest of the California Army National Guard Proper. The overall width is 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm).
Crest for Coat of Arms of Regiments and Separate Battalions of the California Army National Guard: From a wreath of colors, the setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant on a grassy field all Proper.
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: California is the Sunset State, the Golden Gate Commonwealth. The grizzly bear was on the flag of the California Republic. As the original settlement within the State was of Spanish origin, the twists of the wreath are yellow and red. The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, California National Guard on 21 May 1952. It was redesignated for Headquarters, State Area Command, California Army National Guard on 30 December 1983.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: California is the Sunset State, the Golden Gate Commonwealth. The grizzly bear was on the flag of the California Republic. As the original settlement within the State was of Spanish origin, the twists of the wreath are yellow and red. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the State Staff and State Detachment, California National Guard on 25 January 1936. It was redesignated for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and noncolor bearing units of the California Army National Guard on 22 January 1969. The insignia was redesignated for the Headquarters, State Area Command, California Army National Guard, effective 30 December 1983.
Crest: California is the Sunset State, the Golden Gate Commonwealth. The grizzly bear was on the flag of the California Republic. As the original settlement within the State was of Spanish origin, the twists of the wreath are yellow and red. The crest was approved for the color bearing organizations of the National Guard for the State of California on 5 January 1924. It was amended to change the blazon on 19 January 1926.
Literature: Images and Information form the Institute of Heraldry, US Army.