513th Military Intelligence Brigade, US Army
513TH MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BRIGADE, US ARMY
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a vertical rectangle arched at the top and bottom 2 1/8 inches (5.40cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62cm) in height overall, a field divided quarterly gray and blue and thereon a yellow lightning bolt issuing from upper left and a white sword point up in saltire surmounted by a white front facing helmet detailed gray all within a 1/8 inch (.32cm) yellow border.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height overall consisting of a gold semicircular scroll bearing the words "PER VIGILANTIAM SCIENTA" in blue letters and containing upright between two green laurel branches a gold helmet facing front with blue rivet holes around the neck and a blue grill opening, the throat encircled by a collar of checkered white and black edged gold and atop the helmet a gold three-pointed coronet, the center point in blue.
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Oriental blue and silver gray are the Military Intelligence branch colors. The quartered field symbolizes the four primary intelligence functions: the collection, analysis, production, and dissemination of intelligence information. The lightning bolt refers to the worldwide capabilities and the electronic warfare functions of the unit. The sword symbolizes the aggressiveness, protection, and physical danger inherent in military intelligence operations. The helmet alludes to the origins of the unit at Camp King, Oberursel, Germany. The helmet's front facing position suggests alertness and vigilance, and the closed faceplate the anonymity and aggressiveness of covert collection.
Distinctive Unit Insignia: Teutonic helmet with crown is an allusion to Camp King in Oberursel, Germany, and its front facing position suggests alertness and vigilance. The laurel branches on either side are symbolic of honor and achievement. In the collar the colors black and white denote the two types of intelligence collection provided by the unit and the repetition of the pattern indicates the overall coverage of Europe.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was approved on 20 November 1986. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 513th Military Intelligence Group on 23 July 1968. On 20 November 1986 the insignia was redesignated for the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade. Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Inforamtion from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.