The 85th Civil Affairs Brigade was originally formed in the Army Reserve on 31 January 1966 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 362d Civil Affairs Area. On the same date in 2018, the 85th Civil Affairs Brigade and two Civil Affairs battalions (81st and 82nd) under its command were inactivated. During the 52 years between those two dates, the 85th and its predecessor units had been inactivated for 32 of them. It’s last period of activation was from 16 September 2011 until the final inactivation in February 2018.
Originally approved as the 362nd Civil Affairs Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia on 7 September 1976, the insignia is a white-bordered hexagon with a purple field, two white swords (one sheathed and one unsheathed), and a golden quill. A quill is a symbol of knowledge and alludes to the issuance of directives, while the swords represent military (unsheathed) and political (sheathed) authority. Purple and white are the branch colors of Civil Affairs. The three charges (items) in the insignia plus the hexagon’s six sides plus the two swords yields the unit’s numerical designation at the time of 362.
Related Items
85th Civil Affairs Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
85th Civil Affairs Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)