Organizational flashes are worn in lieu of the standard Army flash on the green, tan, and maroon berets authorized for personnel serving in Special Forces, Ranger, or Airborne units respectively (or in units or organizations associated with those units). Enlisted personnel wear their Distinctive Unit Insignia, commonly called a unit crest, centered on the flash, while Officers center nonsubdued rank insignia on it. The flash should be directly over the left eye when the beret is properly worn.
Ovals serve as backing for Parachutist and Air Assault badges; when a badge is worn on an oval, the two are considered one piece for calculating number and placement of badges. Officially called background trimming, they are authorized wear with those medals on the jacket of the Army Service/Dress uniform, the Service uniform shirt, or the Maternity tunic.
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The 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery points to May 1812 as its date of origin, when it was organized as Captain James N. Barker’s Company in the 2nd Regiment of Artillery. Beginning with the War of 1812, the Battalion fought in all of the Army campaigns of the 19th century save for the Indian Wars; in the 20th century, it took part in both World Wars, the liberation of Grenada, the Southwest Asia campaign (First Gulf War), and the War on Terrorism. It did not became an air-defense type of unit until 1950, and it was in named an Air Defense Artillery unit in 1971. It was assigned to the 82nd Airborne from 1972 to 2005.
Nicknamed the “Skystrikers,” the 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment is stationed at Fort Bragg.