Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Shoulder Sleeve Insignia J. Wheeler Hammontree

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Introduction Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) are the most visible form of heraldry in the US Army today. Some SSI such as that of the 101 st Airborne Division are familiar even to those with little or no military exposure.101 st Airborne Division

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Agenda Background History Styles / Shapes Tabs

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Background SSI are worn by all soldiers on the service and battle dress uniforms A SSI is worn on the left shoulder to show current unit of assignment Soldiers with combat experience may wear the SSI of their wartime unit on their right shoulder Organizations with over 500 personnel may be authorized a SSI (AR 670-1)

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc History – Civil War The SSI has its origins in the corps badges developed as a means of identification during the civil war. Badges were worn in various places on the uniform such as left breast, top of kepi cap, and sleeves. Many of these early badge designs have been retained in current Army heraldry. (Burr, 1961)Burr

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc History – World War I The first modern SSI was the “Wildcat” patch adopted by the 81 st Infantry Division in 1917 (Reece, 2002)Reece The SSI gained much (though unofficial) use during WWI.WWI Official approval of the SSI would not come until the end of the war, with the first approval being in the fall of 1918.

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Styles & Shapes Until the Vietnam era there is little standardization in SSI design. A notable exception are the SSI of Armored Divisions. These all share a common design, the only differencing being a numeral in chief and the unit nick- name or motto below the base. Armored Divisions

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Styles & Shape (Cont.) During the Vietnam era and after many separate brigade sized units were established. MOST of these units’ SSI are in the shape of a Roman shield. It is safe to assume that any SSI in the shape of a Roman shield is that of a separate brigade.

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Styles & Shapes: Separate Brigades Click on image for TIOH description.

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Styles & Shapes (Cont.) Most of the specialty branch Centers and Schools’ SSI are lozenges with the branch insignia and torch done in the branch colors.

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Styles & Shapes: Centers & Schools Try to identify these schools based on their design elements: Click on image for TIOH Description

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Tabs Tabs may be seen worn above the SSI in many cases, such as that of the 173rd Airborne Brigade above. The Airborne tab (as well as the Mountain tab) is a unit identifying tab. It identifies the wearer as belonging to an Airborne designated unit.Airborne Other tabs such as Special Forces, Ranger, Sapper and President’s Hundred are Special Skills tabs and identify the accomplishment of the wearer. As such they are not part of the SSI.Special ForcesRanger SapperPresident’s Hundred

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Bibliography Burr, Col. Ralph R. August The beginnings of heraldry in the Civil War-- Symbols Rally the Spirit. Army Information Digest.The beginnings of heraldry in the Civil War-- Symbols Rally the Spirit Reece, Beth. May More Than a Patch. Soldiers.More Than a Patch

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc Where to Get More Information The Institute of Heraldry Quartermaster Foundation Museum United States Army Insignia Homepage (great non-government site by RDW Ploessl) United States Army Insignia Homepage