516th Signal Brigade, US Army

516TH SIGNAL BRIGADE, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a orange vertical rectangle arched at top and bottom with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) white border, 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall, two white diagonally crossed lightning flashes superimposed by a stylized black South Pacific spear issuing from base.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height, consisting of a blue disc encircled by a black scroll issuing from a gold conch shell detailed black at bottom and bearing the motto "VOICE OF THE PACIFIC" at the top in gold letters, and interlaced with three gold stylized South Pacific spears, one vertical and two diagonal; issuing to top from the center point of the spears two orange lightning flashes.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Orange and white are the colors associated with the signal corps. Black represents strength, solidity and twenty-four hour military preparedness. The crossed lightning flashes are indicative of communications and electronics; they are crossed to symbolize strength. The flashes form two arrowheads pointing inward, suggesting the processing of signal communications. The spear reflects the fighting aspect, suggesting the unit’s aggressiveness and the heritage and home location.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Orange is the primary color associated with the Signal Corps. Black represents strength, solidity and twenty-four hour military preparedness. Blue is symbolic of the water of the Pacific; the disc alludes to a globe, referring to the worldwide impact of the unit's mission. The lightning flashes are indicative of communications and electronics. The spears are adapted from the Hawaiian State Seal, recalling the heritage and home locations of the unit, thus emphasizing the vital role communications play in total military preparedness. The conch shell refers to the unit's location and is reminiscent of early means of communication in the Pacific.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was originally authorized for the 1106th Signal Brigade on October 11, 1989. It was cancelled for the 1106th Signal Brigade effective October 15, 1992 and authorized for the 516th Signal Brigade effective October 16, 1992. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally authorized for the 1106th Signal Brigade on October 11, 1989. It was cancelled for the 1106th Signal Brigade effective October 15, 1992 and authorized for the 516th Signal Brigade effective October 16, 1992.

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