Commonly referred to as simply a unit patch, the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia originated during World War I and by the time of the Second World War most of the Army’s larger organizational units (Field Armies, Corps, Divisions) were issuing them. Today, they are also issued for separate brigades (i.e., not permanently assigned to a division) and a relatively small number of lesser units. Colored unit patches were worn the Class A/B Army Green Uniform and the olive-drab green utility uniform that was eventually placed by the Battle Dress Uniform. The subdued version that is currently worn on the Army Combat Uniform and other utility uniforms was introduced in 1970.
The unit patch of the U.S. Army Military Police Brigade-Hawaii features a green arced rectangle with a yellow border with a spear tip bookended by two red lightning flashes. Green and Yellow are the colors used for Military Police insignia, while the spear, a symbol of Hawaiian King Kamehameha’s, reflects the unit’s authority to keep peace. The lightning Flashes ae symbolic of speed and precision and also recall the Brigade’s nickname of “Pacific Lightning,” which is found on the Brigade’s Distinctive Unit Insignia (unit crest).
The shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized 17 August 1998, and its design (though not exact colors) is replicated on the Brigade’s Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB).
Related Items
Military Police Brigade-Hawaii Unit Crest (DUI)
Military Police Brigade-Hawaii Combat Service ID Badge ( CSIB)