The 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion beret flash—also called an organizational flash because unlike the standard blue Army flash it identifies a specific unit or organization—is worn centered on the stiffener of the maroon beret that identifies the wearer as a member of an Airborne unit.
Maroon berets have been associated with Airborne units since 1943 when the commander of a British Airborne Corps gave them to the paratroopers of the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion. But the berets were not officially authorized, and their wear ceased after the war’s end. Three decades later, however, paratroopers in another unit, the 82nd Airborne Division, revived the tradition in 1973 despite the fact that the berets were still unauthorized. Berets for Airborne personnel went through an on-again, off-again period between 1975 and 1981, when today’s maroon berets were finally and officially approved for Airborne Soldiers.
Officers in the 2nd Battalion wear their insignia of grade centered on the flash while all Enlisted personnel wear their unit’s Distinctive Unit Insignia or Regimental Distinctive Insignia (except for the SgtMaj. of the Army and his office staff and a Command Sergeant Major assigned to advise the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; these all wear their k).
Ovals are officially known as “Airborne background trimming,” and for good reason: they can be worn only by personnel serving in an Airborne organization who have also earned a Parachutist or Air Assault badge. Ovals are placed under the badge and worn on the coats of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and blue Army Service/Dress Uniform (ASU), Service Uniform Shirts (except the Class B AGSU), and green or blue Army Maternity Tunc (female Soldiers only).
Wear guidance for both organizational flashes and background trimming are detailed in paragraph 21–32 of the January 2021 editions of both DA PAM 670-1 and AR 670-1. Special instructions on the placement and wear of insignia on top of flashes is found paragraph 4–10(e) of AR 670-1.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Like the 1st Battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment was constituted on 5 August 1917 as a Company in the 319th Field Artillery, an element of the 82nd Division (later 82nd Airborne Division). In addition to seeing action in both World Wars (its World War II medals are the same as the 1st Battalion’s), the 2nd Battalion fought in eleven campaigns in Vietnam and was honored with a Valorous Unit Award, two Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm awards, and an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.
In the War on Terrorism, 2-319th Field Artillery has been tapped for two Valorous Unit Awards, a Presidential Unit Citation, and a Meritorious Unit Citation.
The 2nd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment is currently assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and is stationed at Fort Bragg along with the Regiment’s 1st and 3rd Battalions.
Related Items
319th Field Artillery Regiment Unit Crest