More accurately referred to as an “organizational flash” because each one represents a specific unit or organization rather than a type or class of unit, the
beret flash is worn centered on the stiffener of one of the four colored berets; the 725th Brigade Support Battalion’s Airborne status means it is worn on the maroon beret. Officers wear their pin-on, nonsubdued insignia of grade centered on the flash, while Enlisted personnel in the Battalion instead wear the 725th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia in the same fashion.
Officially known as Airborne background trimming, the 725th Support Battalion
oval is worn only by Battalion personnel who have earned a Parachutist or Air Assault badge. The oval is worn beneath the badge, which is centered on the oval. The combination of the two items count as one badge when determining placement and badge/device limits set for the uniforms/garments on which it is worn. These include the coats of Class A AGSUs and ASUs (also the ASU Dress variation), the shirt of the Class B ASU (no badges are worn on the shirt of the Class A AGSU), and the blue or green Army Maternity Tunic. Detailed wear guidance is found in
paragraph 21–32 of the January edition of DA PAM 670-1.
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The 725th Support Battalion organizational flash and oval were both approved on 25 May 2006 during a brief period of inactivation for the unit. Less than four months later, the Battalion was redesignated as the 725th Support Battalion (Airborne) on 16 September 2006 as it was readying for its second deployment to Iraq (elements of the Battalion had also previously deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan).
Between October 2006 and December 2007, the Battalion carried out over 500 combat logistics patrols covering more than 150,000 miles, distributed eight million-plus gallons of fuel, transported 7500 tons of materials, and treated over 6,000 patients at its troop medical clinic. Its outstanding contributions during this tour were recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation issued in 2009, the first of three MUCs it would earn for its support in the War on Terrorism. To learn more of the Battalion’s history and lineage, please visit the
725th Support Battalion Unit Crest page.