The world is familiar with our Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. The XVIII Airborne Corps Dragon is recognized everywhere. But even here, at the Center of the Universe, very few people know what it means. That's what we're explaining this week.
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But first, let's set the table and explain why these symbols matter.
But first, let's set the table and explain why these symbols matter.
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The story of our hereditary symbol is vital to our force today. Across the world and across time, symbology has always been a critical element of martial culture.
The story of our hereditary symbol is vital to our force today. Across the world and across time, symbology has always been a critical element of martial culture.
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The use of emblems to establish identity in battle dates back to the High Middles Ages (11th Century) Europe. Empires used coats of arms to distinguish between friend and foe.
The use of emblems to establish identity in battle dates back to the High Middles Ages (11th Century) Europe. Empires used coats of arms to distinguish between friend and foe.
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Coats of arms also promoted the lineage and warrior spirit of a noble family.
Coats of arms also promoted the lineage and warrior spirit of a noble family.
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In 1917, as the Army began forming for the Great War, commanders developed insignia to distinguish and instill pride in their units. Troops also marked unit equipment and bags with their unit emblem.
In 1917, as the Army began forming for the Great War, commanders developed insignia to distinguish and instill pride in their units. Troops also marked unit equipment and bags with their unit emblem.
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In 1918, the US War Department established the Army Institute of Heraldry to organize all military insignia such as shoulder sleeve patches, flags, ribbons, and the like.
In 1918, the US War Department established the Army Institute of Heraldry to organize all military insignia such as shoulder sleeve patches, flags, ribbons, and the like.
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That same year, while the war was still raging, the 81st Infantry "Wildcat" Division was the 1st @USArmy unit authorized a shoulder sleeve insignia: this kitten. Not exactly inspiring, but it's a true story.
That same year, while the war was still raging, the 81st Infantry "Wildcat" Division was the 1st @USArmy unit authorized a shoulder sleeve insignia: this kitten. Not exactly inspiring, but it's a true story.
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In 1917, the 81st Division, comprised almost entirely of Southern draftees, was stationed on Camp Jackson, SC. While training near a creek, some of the country boys trapped a Carolina wildcat and adopted the snarling beast as the division mascot. So, there you go.
In 1917, the 81st Division, comprised almost entirely of Southern draftees, was stationed on Camp Jackson, SC. While training near a creek, some of the country boys trapped a Carolina wildcat and adopted the snarling beast as the division mascot. So, there you go.
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(I didn't say it was a interesting story, I just said it was a TRUE story)
(I didn't say it was a interesting story, I just said it was a TRUE story)
11 of 12: Within the US military, our Army is unique: we are the only service that requires all soldiers to wear the patch of their headquarters unit as part of the military uniform.
FINAL TWEET:
So that's the background on why we have insignia, and they matter to us. Tomorrow at 2 PM, we'll walk you through the history of the XVIII Airborne Corps insignia.
So that's the background on why we have insignia, and they matter to us. Tomorrow at 2 PM, we'll walk you through the history of the XVIII Airborne Corps insignia.
