The 500th Military Intelligence Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit crest, was approved on 27 February 19189. It was subsequently canceled effective 16 October 1997 due to the redesignation of the Brigade to the 500th Military Intelligence Group (MIG). It was reapproved for the Brigade when the 500th MIG was reorganized and redesignated as the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade.
The oriental blue in the field of the insignia and silver gray border are the colors of the Military Intelligence Corps. The crossed sword and lightning flash behind the globe with gridlines signify vigilance and the speed of electronic communications, respectively, while the globe denotes the Brigade’s worldwide service. The torch and flame superimposed on the globe stand for knowledge.
The 500th Military Intelligence Brigade was originally constituted as the 500th Military Intelligence Service Group on 30 June 1952 and activated 1 September 1952 in Japan. It underwent several redesignations between then and the time it was first designated as a Brigade in 1987, with most of that period spent as the 500th Military Intelligence Group. It was under this designation that the unit was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations for it contributions throughout the Pacific Area during the Vietnam War (1968-1969, 1972-1974), an honor almost made even more impressive considering the unit was not located within a combat zone. And its outstanding production and support to U.S. Army Pacific in the mid-1980s (it had already been given the official special designation "Pacific Vanguard) was honored with an Army Superior Unit Award for the period 1986-1987.
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500th Military Intelligence Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
500th Military Intelligence Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)