401st Support Brigade, US Army
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401ST SUPPORT BRIGADE, US ARMY
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a shield 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 1/4 inches (5.72 cm) in width overall, divided per pairle white, scarlet and blue, overall a silver gray sword palewise fimbriated white, in chief on either side and encircling the sword point is a green palm frond; all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) golden yellow border.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a buff shield bearing a circle of three black arrows with points clockwise superimposed by a silver hand grasping a sword of the like fesswise point to sinister. Around the sides and bottom of the shield is a blue scroll doubled and inscribed “FIRST TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE” in silver letters.
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: White, red, and blue and the device partitions are modified from the Army Materiel Command (AMC) shoulder sleeve insignia and carry with it the mission of support and the flow of materiel to the soldiers. The inverted chevron or point on the bottom underscores the Brigade being the single point of entry to AMC from the field. Gold is emblematic of excellence and high ideals. The sword indicates readiness and support to the soldiers. The theater of operation of the Brigade, Southwest Asia, is highlighted by the palm fronds. The palm frond is an emblem of victory and success.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: Buff is the color associated with Army Support. The black arrows in a circular pattern represent the continuous logistical support provided by the Brigade to the War-fighters. The sword symbolizes the unit’s ability to project logistical power onto the battlefield. The motto embodies the mind set and dedication of the 401st to the War-fighters; the first priority being to ensure that the soldiers have everything they need for combat.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was approved on 11 December 2006. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 9 February 2007.
Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. The Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.