The Leader’s Identification Insignia, which had been called the Combat Leaders Identification (CLI) Insignia until 2005, was originally introduced in June 1944 in the European Theater of Operations for wear by commanders of units or organizations ranging in size from Squad to Army. It soon extended to encompass any Officer or Noncommissioned Officer whose combat role included exercising the function of a command, even if they were assigned in a combat-command role. In 1948, the CLI insignia was authorized for Armored, Artillery, Airborne/Cavalry, and Constabulary organizations, as well certain Chemical, Engineer, and Signal Corps Battalions.
The 1992 edition of AR 670-1 mandated that the CLI insignia was to be worn by leaders of Category I units as specified by organization TOE (Armor, Infantry, Combat Engineers, Field Artillery, Air Defense Artillery, Aviation) and Category II Assault Helicopter units. It authorized specific leaders in authorized units to wear the insignia; these ranged from Commanders and Deputy Commanders down to Platoon leaders, Command Sergeants Major, all the way down to Rifle Squad Team Leaders. With the 2005 change in insignia title, the requirement was changed to leaders in all units (Army, Army Reserves, and Army National guard) regardless of unit category.
The Leaders Identification Insignia is a green cloth loop that was worn in the middle of the both of the shoulder loops on the Army green coat and on the center tab of the parka (ECWCS, also referred to as the Gore-Tex parka); grade insignia was worn centered on the insignia when it was worn on the parka. 2005 regulations state that the insignia was not authorized for war on utility uniforms.
In the May 2017 edition of DA 670-17, the Army announced that it was removing the Leader’s Identification insignia from the list of authorized insignia and accouterments.