New Hampshire National Guard, US
NEW HAMPSHIRE NATIONAL GUARD, US
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
 (Crest) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a blue shield 2 3/4 inches (6.99 cm) in height and 2 7/16 inches (6.19 cm) in width overall, a bundle of five arrows, three in front and two in rear, points to top, within a circle composed of nine stars, the one at base twice the size of the remainder, all yellow.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 inch (2.54 cm) in height overall consisting of a Gold shield with a raised reproduction in enamel of the crest and wreath authorized for the State of New Hampshire Army National Guard: On a wreath Argent (White) and Gules (Red) two pine branches saltirewise Proper (Green) crossed behind a bundle of five arrows palewise Argent (White) bound together by a ribbon Gules (Red) the ends entwining the branches.
Crest. Description: That for regiments and separate battalions of the New Hampshire Army National Guard: From a wreath of colors, two pine branches saltirewise Proper crossed behind a bundle of five arrows palewise Argent bound together by a ribbon Gules the ends entwining the branches.
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Blue and yellow are the colors of the state flag of New Hampshire. The nine stars represent New Hampshire as the ninth state to ratify the Constitution thereby making the Constitution effective. The bundle of five arrows, taken from the New Hampshire State Seal (1776), represents the five counties of New Hampshire bound together into a common state government. The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, New Hampshire National Guard on 7 March 1956. It was redesignated on 30 December 1983, for Headquarters, State Area Command, New Hampshire Army National Guard.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: The bundle of five arrows and the pine are from the seal adopted by the Colony of New Hampshire in 1776. The twists of the wreath are white and red as the State was colonized by the English. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and noncolor bearing units of the New Hampshire Army National Guard on 5 February 1971. The insignia was redesignated effective 30 December 1983, for Headquarters, State Area Command, New Hampshire Army National Guard.
Crest: The bundle of five arrows and the pine are from the seal adopted by the Colony of New Hampshire in 1776. The crest for color bearing organizations of the State of New Hampshire was approved on 21 December 1923.
Literature: Images and Information form The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.