Also referred to as an organizational flash, a beret flash is a shield-shaped, embroidered insignia with a semicircular bottom that are worn on a beret. There are two types of flashes. Standard Department of the Army flash are worn on the black beret, while organizational flashes are worn by members of units authorized to wear one of four colored berets approved for their unit type: Maroon for Airborne, green for Special Forces, tan for Ranger, and brown for Security Force Assistance Command.
The organizational flash worn by personnel assigned to the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, or SETAF, was approved on 1 April 1995. It is worn centered on the stiffener of the maroon beret, with Officers (except Chaplains) wearing their non-subdued insignia of rank centered on the flash and Enlisted personnel wearing the SETAF Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest, similarly placed on the flash.
Colloquially referred to as an “oval” for obvious reasons, Airborne background trimming insignia is an embroidered patch that is placed beneath a Parachutists or Air Assault badge when it is worn on the AGSU or ASU coat, the Class B ASU shirt, and the green or blue Army Maternity Tunic. Rules regarding the number badges that may be worn vary greatly between the AGSU and the ASU; applicable guidance is found in
Chapter 22, “Wear of Decorations, Service Medals, Badges, Unit Awards, and Appurtenances,” of the January 2021 edition of DA PAM 670-1.
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