11th Signal Brigade, US Army

11TH SIGNAL BRIGADE, US ARMY

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia)

Official blazon

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: Centered on a white oblong shield with a 1/8 inch yellow border, arched at top and bottom, 2 inches in width and 3 inches in height overall, a white globe with orange gridlines surmounted by a black Thunderbird with yellow lightning bolts extending over the globe from its orange eye.

Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: Two silver beacons, the baskets conjoined at upper edge and ladders reversed, with orange and silver flames, the three areas within the confines of the beacons black with the center area charged with a silver fleur-de-lis all above a silver motto scroll inscribed "FLEXIBILITY, DEPENDABILITY" in black enamel letters.

Origin/meaning

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia: Orange and white are colors used for the Signal Corps. The globe signifies the world-wide scope of the unit’s mission. The Thunderbird, an American Indian symbol of great power, that controls the skies and sees all that occurs on the ground, refers to the unit’s Southwestern heritage. The lightning, issuing from the Thunderbird’s eye as in Indian legend, denotes the speed and abilities of electronic communications. The black Thunderbird and white background symbolize the night and day capability of the unit.

Distinctive Unit Insignia: Flaming beacons are among the oldest devices used for signaling the communication. Two have been used in reference to the sending and receiving of messages and the two poles also simulate the number "11", the organization’s numerical designation. The three black areas and fleur-de-lis refer to the organization’s three battle honors in Europe, World War II.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was approved on 21 April 1980. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved for the 11th Signal Group on 11 June 1965, and then redesignated with the motto for the 11th Signal Brigade on 15 October 1979.