Casually referred to as a unit patch, the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the Texas Army National Guard (ARNG) Element of the Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) of the state’s National Guard was originally approved for HQ and HQ Detachment, Texas National Guard on 22 September 1955. It was redesignated once, for the HQ, State Area Command, Texas ARNG on 30 December 1983 before being given its current designation of Texas ARNG Element, JFHQ, Texas National Guard on 1 October 2003.
The design of the insignia is an adaptation of the obverse of the Seal of the Texas and features crossed branches of live oak and laurel, both rendered in white and surmounted a wreath consisting of six alternating red and white twists. In heraldry, oak is the symbol of strength and endurance, while laurel signifies high achievement and honor.
The six twists of the wreath are an allusion to the “six flags of Texas,” a well-known phrase referencing the six nations that have had control over some or all of the state’s territory, which in chronological order include Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the United States, whose possession was interrupted for four years by the Confederate States of America (1861-1865).
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Texas ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ Unit Crest (DUI)