The 38th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Squadron, Troop C beret flash and Airborne background trimming, the latter more often referred to by the nickname “oval,” were approved for wear on 27 October 2010.
Also referred to as an organizational flash because it represents a single unit or organization unlike the standard blue flash worn by all Army personnel not serving in units for which a unique flash has been approved, this shield-shaped insignia is worn centered on the stiffener of the maroon beret authorized for the Troop as an Airborne-designated unit. (All Troop personnel wear the flash regardless of their individual Airborne or Airborne-related qualifications or training.)
Except for Chaplains, Officers wear their nonsubdued rank insignia centered on the flash, while Enlisted wear their Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), in this case the 38th Cavalry Regiment DUI (also called a unit crest). Ovals are a complementary insignia worn beneath Parachutist and Air Assault badges, which are centered on the insignia before the two items are attached to the AGSU or ASU coat, the Class B ASU shirt, and green or blue Army Maternity Tunic.
Guidance on the wear of the beret flash and Airborne oval is found in “Distinctive items authorized for other than infantry personnel,”
Chapter 21-32(a) and (b) of the January 2021 edition of DA PAM 670-1. Regulations regarding the placement of ovals and Parachutist and Air Assault badges vary between different unit types; detailed instructions on the maximum number of badges per uniform and their proper placement is found in
Chapter 22-16, subsection (b), “Wear of nonsubdued combat and special skill badges and special skill tab metal replicas.”
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38th Cavalry Regiment Unit Crest (DUI)