The 162nd Infantry Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, was approved for wear on 24 July 2008 and was amended a week later to correct the symbolism—and the insignia has quite a bit of that.
A dark blue background in the upper diagonal field reflects the unit’s history in the Infantry branch, with black in the lower half signaling steadfastness and honoring Soldiers who have fallen while serving on transition teams working with foreign security forces.
A cross of Lorraine symbolizes the unit’s service in the Ardennes in France during World War I, and the palm frond below it is denotes World War II campaigns in the Philippines and Western Pacific. A lightning flash serves as a bend, reflecting the speed at which the Brigade can deploy. In the black field, red and gold circles combined convey the Brigade’s constant movement of small transition teams to serve on joint combat missions around the globe, symbolized by the attached pheons forming a compass rose.
The 162nd Infantry Brigade trained Security Forces Assistance — Security Cooperation teams prior to their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn between 2010 and 2014.
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162nd Infantry Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)