A green oak branch and gold acorn atop a red boar’s head that serve as the single image on the Georgia Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters Distinctive Unit Insignia is inspired by the crest of the coat of Arms of Sir James Ogelthorpe, founder of the colony of Georgia; the red and white found in the wreath below the boar’s head denote the English descent of the first white settlement in the state. The boar’s head is a traditional symbol of hospitality in heraldry—think of the images of medieval feasts displayed in movies—which is why it is so often the imagery used for public houses in England and many parts of Europe.
Also known as a unit crest, this Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) has been assigned to several organizations since it was first approved for the Georgia National Guard’s State Staff Corps and Detachment on 5 June 1929; a little over two months later it was amended to reverse the colors used for the octagon. The insignia was redesignated for the Georgia Army National Guard’s HQ and HQ Detachment, as well as for its non-color bearing units, on 19 January 1972. It would retain this designation for over a decade before it was redesignated a second time on 30 December 1983 for the HQ, State Area command. It was given its current designation on 1 October 2003.
The Headquarters of the Georgia National Guard are located in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
More guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively. Related Items
Georgia ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ Patch (SSI)