Both the organizational flash and Airborne background trimming—the latter more commonly known as an “oval”—worn by personnel of the 56th Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment were approved on 1 September 2005. They were amended to change the design and description on 8 September 2005.
A shield-shaped, embroidered insignia with a semi-circular bottom, the flash is worn centered on the maroon beret authorized for wear by members of Airborne units since 1981. Officers (except Chaplains) place their nonsubdued rank insignia in the center of the flash, while Enlisted personnel wear their Distinctive Unit Insignia (Regimental Distinctive Insignia if their unit has no DUI). All personnel in the organization/unit wear the flash regardless of their personal Airborne qualifications.
Ovals are worn by personnel in an Airborne unit who have earned Parachutist and/or Air Assault badge. These badges are centered on the oval and then placed on the coats of the AGSU or ASU (including the ASU Dress variant), the shirt of the Class B ASU, and the Army Maternity Tunic (female Soldiers only).
The edge of the oval (and the top of the Senior and Master Parachutist badges) is used when measuring distance between badges, pocket flaps, etc., and the two items count as a single device when determining the allowable number of decorations on a particular uniform type. Also, the different uniform types have different instructions for the placement of these badges; detailed guidance is found in the January 2021 edition of DA PAM 670-1, Chapter 22-16 (b).
The 56th Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment in the Regular Army as the 56th Chemical Detachment on 27 August 1959 and activated the following month in Korea. It was inactivated for ten years before being reactivated in September 1981 in Germany, only to be inactivated from 1985 to 1989. It was activated 16 September 1989 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
In November 2013, the Detachment was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service while assigned or attached to the Headquarters Detachment, Support Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment.
As of 2021, the 56th Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment appears to have been inactivated, redesignated, or disbanded.