Both the beret flash and Airborne background trimming (oval) worn by Army personnel assigned to the United States Special Operation Command (SOCOM) were approved for wear on 1 March 2010.
Also called an organizational flash because it is authorized for wear by those serving in a specific organization, the beret flash is worn centered on the stiffener of the maroon beret, the beret color authorized for Airborne units. Officers (except Chaplains) place their non-subdued insignia of grade on the center of the flash, while all Enlisted personnel wear the Distinctive Unit Insignia for the U.S. Army Element, SOCOM.
The flash is worn by all personnel in the organization regardless of their personal Airborne or Airborne-related qualifications, but this is not the case with the oval: it is worn only by those members of the organization who have earned a Parachutist or Air Assault qualification badge.
The badge is centered on the oval before being placed on the coats of the AGSU and ASU/ASU Dress uniforms, the shirt of the Class B ASU, or the green or blue Army Maternity Tunic. The two items are considered one for determining maximum allowable devices for each type of uniform. Measurement to determine proper placement of the oval-badge combination is done from the edge of the oval or top of the star and wreath found on some Parachutist badges.
Related Items
U.S. Army Element, SOCOM Patch (SSI)U.S. Army Element, SOCOM Unit Crest (DUI)U.S. Army Element, SOCOM Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)