The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia worn today by Delaware Army National Guard (ARNG) personnel serving at the Joint Force Headquarters HQ of the state’s National Guard was originally approved for HQ and HQ Detachment, Delaware National Guard on 12 February 1948. It was subsequently redesignated for HQ, State Area Command, Delaware Army National Guard on 30 December 1983 and given its current designation almost twenty years later on 1 October 2003.
In heraldry, “erased” is the word that describes an animal or beast’s head displayed as if has been ripped or torn (or erased) from the rest of its body; the erased blue griffin’s head seen here was the device of Lord De La Warre, who was appointed governor-for-life of the Colony of Virginia in 1609. The Delaware River, Delaware Bay, Delaware Colony, and State of Delaware were all named after Lord De La Warre, who real name was Thomas West and whose full title was 3rd Baron De La Warre.
Around the griffin’s neck is a black, while, and silver collar with three white discs; this was taken from the coat of arms of William Penn, who was granted the Delaware Colony in 1682. It remained under the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania until Penn agreed to a separate Delaware assembly in 1701. This event might be alluded to by the head of the griffin having been removed from the remainder of its body. The wreath of red and white denotes the English heritage of the European settlers of Delaware.
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Delaware ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ Unit Crest (DUI)