While the United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) points to 1822 and the creation of the General Recruiting Service by Major General Jacob Jennings Brown as its “founding,” the Command as so designated was not established until 1 October 1964 at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Formed as subordinate element of the Continental Army Command, USAREC comprised just two dozen officers (one a Warrant Officer), 18 enlisted Soldiers, and 50 civilian workers at its new headquarters. The command was originally divided into six Recruiting Districts, but after several reorganizations involving how these subordinate units were designated, the current system of six Recruiting Battalions with varying numbers of Recruiting Brigades under their command was implemented in 1983.
The U.S. Army Recruiting Command Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, was originally designed as two-piece insignia featuring the traditional national colors of red, white, and blue. The Liberty Bell is centered on a blue field surrounded by a white border, encircled by 13 stars that are evenly spaced. Above it was a separate arced scroll with the inscription “RECRUITING” in capital letters that was sewn into place above the main insignia.
Approval for the 2-piece insignia was given on 21 November 1967. On 6 December 1972, the two-piece design was cancelled and a one-piece (arced scroll attached) design was approved to replace it.
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Recruiting Command Unit Crest (DUI)