A Native-American arrowhead forms the basis of the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, worn by Special Forces Soldiers serving in units in the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne). Symbolic of the stealth, tracking, and survival skills of Native Americans, the arrowhead features an upright dagger in its center to symbolize the unconventional warfare tactics often employed by Special Forces troops; the three lightning flashes intersecting the blade represents the ability of Special Forces Soldiers to strike by land, sea or air.
The insignia’s design was first approved in August 1955, with its specifications amended to include an Airborne tab in 1958. According to The Institute of Heraldry, its wear was authorized by personnel of the Army’s Special Forces Command (Airborne) who did not have a Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) in their own right in March, 1991.
With the creation of the 1st Special Forces Command in September 2014 under the command of the U.S. Arm Special Operations Command, this regulation was cancelled and it was authorized for wear by Soldiers serving in 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) and its subordinate units who were not authorized an SSI in their own right. This includes personnel in the Command’s HQ Battalion and seven Special Forces Groups; other units such as Military Information Support Groups or the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade have their own distinct SSI. The new regulation took effect on 27 October 2016.