Officially referred to as a Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, the unit patch worn by personnel of the Alabama Army National Guard Element (ARNG Element) assigned to the Nebraska National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters (HQ) was first approved for HQ and HQ Detachment, Alabama ARNG on 15 December 1948. It was redesignated for the HQ, State Area Command, Alabama ARNG on 15 August 1985 and was subsequently retroactively designated for Alabama ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ on 1 October 2003.
Cotton is closely associated with Alabama because of its great economic impact even after the Industrial Revolution brought manufacturing, particularly steel and iron production, to state beginning in the mid-1800s, henc the cotton plant in bloom on the unit patch. The plant rests upon a twisted wreath of white and red to denote the English origins of the settlers who chose to live there after arriving from overseas.
“Always Ready, Always There” is the motto of the Alabama National Guard, which has its Joint Force Headquarters stationed in the state capital of Montgomery.
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Alabama ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ Unit Crest (DUI)