711st Signal Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard

711ST SIGNAL BATTALION, ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

(Coat of Arms)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shield: Tenné, on a saltire Argent a lightning flash and arrow, point up, crossed saltirewise Gules.
Crest: That for regiments and separate battalions of the Alabama Army National Guard: a slip of cotton plant with full bursting boll, Proper
Motto: Smash to the stars

Distinctive Unit Insignia Description: Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of shield blazoned: Tenné, on a saltire Argent a lightning flash and arrow, point up, crossed saltirewise Gules. Attached below the shield a Silver scroll inscribed "SMASH TO THE STARS" in Black letters.

Origin/meaning

Orange and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Signal Corps. The saltire taken from the State Flag of Alabama, alludes to the Confederate Flag and symbolizes the organization's Civil War service. The arrow refers to the battalion's service in the Indian Wars against the Creeks and the lightning flash is a symbol of celerity and force.

The arms were originally approved for the 711th Command Signal Operations Battalion on 23 September 1974. The arms were redesignated for the 711th Signal Battalion on 23 November 1979. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 711th Command Signal Operations Battalion on 11 November 1974. The insignia was redesignated for the 711th Signal Battalion on 23 November 1979.

Literature: The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.