111th Military Intelligence Brigade, US Army

111TH MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BRIGADE, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 5/16 inches (3.33 cm) in height overall consisting of the major portion of a black and gold heraldic rose above and behind the head and wings of a gold eagle rising out of a gold disc charged throughout with a burst of red flames having eight tongues radiant to base and interspersed with seven five-pointed blue stars, the disc enclosed by a blue scroll inscribed with the words "MISSION FIRST" in gold.

Origin/meaning

The heraldic rose, alluding to the insignia of the Military Intelligence Branch, is symbolic of the basic mission (to collect, check and make available any information about a present or possible enemy), and its position at the top of the design is relative to the unit's motto, "MISSION FIRST." The phoenix, rising out of flames, is symbolic of the location of the headquarters of the former unit, Atlanta, Georgia, and the seven southeastern states where the former unit operated is represented by the ring of blue stars.

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 111th Military Intelligence Group on 27 February 1969. The insignia was redesignated effective 13 March 1987, for the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade, with description and symbolism revised.

Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.