The 8th Medical Brigade was originally constituted as a Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment on June 30, 1976 and activated at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York. For the vast majority of time since then, the brigade was the largest of all medical brigades in the U.S. Army, including reserve units. The unit's mission is to provide technical supervision, administrative services and assistance, and command and control of assigned and attached units.
At the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the brigade was attached to the 77th Regional Support Command, and a great deal of the unit's personnel—many acting in their civilian professions—delivered aid to those wounded during the tragic events. Currently headquartered on Staten Island, the brigade is a direct reporting unit of the 3rd Medical Command, which provides support for AFRICOM and CENTCOM.
The CSIB (Combat Service Identification Badge) of the 8th Medical Brigade features a Greek cross, a longtime symbol of aid and comfort, at its center. The crown superimposed over the cross is an allusion to the Statue of Liberty's seven-pointed crown, while the octagonal shape of the badge represents the unit's numerical designation. Maroon and white have long been used as the colors for the Army Medical Department. The unit's motto, "Strength Through Health," is found on its unit crest, or Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI).
Related Items
8th Medical Brigade Patch (SSI)
8th Medical Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)