The 101st Sustainment Brigade is the current incarnation of the 101st Airborne Division Support Command, or DISCOM, that traces its lineage back to 1 July 1956 and the creation of the 101st Airborne Division Support Group. On 16 September 2004, the 101st Airborne DISCOM was redesignated the 101st Support Brigade, and the following April was redesignated under its current title.
But in 2015, the Brigade was made a component of the 101st Airborne Division rather than remaining a separate Brigade, and as such Army regulations call for it to wear its parent company’s insignia rather than its own, giving the insignia an effective wear lifetime running from 17 November 2009 to 30 July 2015, the day that the “Lifeliners”—the nickname for the 101st Sustainment Brigade, taken from the Latin phrase “VITA VERSUS”—removed this patch and replaced it with the 101st Airborne Division’s “Old Abe” patch.
The 101st Sustainment Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was adapted from the 101st Airborne Division design. Black borders suggest strength and steadfastness, while a compass rose bordered in gold rope denote the ability to provide global support in any direction, at any time and anywhere. The eagle’s head is taken directly from the 101st Airborne insignia, while the playing card suits and Torii gate recall the symbols that 101st Airborne Soldiers painted on their helmets during World War II.
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101st Sustainment Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
101st Sustainment Brigade CSIB Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)