The 525th Military Intelligence Brigade beret flash and background trimming has been worn since 1983, a year after the unit had been designated as HQ and HQ Detachment, 525th Military Intelligence Group. According to the Center of Military History Web site, it would not be designated as a Brigade until 1985 (though an archived 2003 version of the unit's history states it was designated as an Airborne Brigade in 1978).
A lightning flash in the middle of both the oval and flash represents the speed of modern communications and electronic warfare, as well as Signals intelligence. The two colors inside the gold border are the branch colors of the Military Intelligence Corps: oriental blue on the left and silver gray on the right.
Also called an organizational flash, this shield-shaped beret flash is worn on the maroon beret, the headgear color reserved for wear by personnel in Airborne units. Officers wear their non-subdued, pin-on insignia centered on the flash, while Enlisted personnel wear their Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest (see below). (Rare exceptions for Enlisted personnel are found in
paragraph 4-10(e) of DA PAM 670-1.
Airborne background trimming is the official name for the oval-shaped insignia that is worn beneath Parachutist or Air Assault badges because the oval’s design is approved by The Institute of Heraldry for “organizations designated (by structure, equipment, and mission) by HQDA as ‘Airborne’ or ‘Air Assault.’” Ovals are authorized for wear on Army Service Uniforms (AGSU and ASU, including ASU Dress variation), Service Uniform shirts, and blue or green Army Maternity Tunics (female Soldiers only).
Neither the beret flash nor oval are authorized for wear on the Class B Army Green Service Uniform.
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