The Fires Center of Excellence Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, often referred to as a shoulder patch or unit patch, was approved for wear on 28 May 2009. Just under three months later, the Center held a
flagging and patching ceremony at the Center's home at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on 21 August 2009.
During the event, Soldiers serving in the Headquarters Detachment, Fires Center of Excellence placed a subdued version of the new patch on their Army Combat Uniforms (both items were manufactured in the Universal Camouflage Pattern in use at that time), and Major General Peter Vangjel and Command Sergeant Major Joseph Smith, Commanding General and Commanding Sergeant Major of the Center respectively, unveiled the Detachment’s new colors.
Crafted in bright tones of scarlet and yellow, the colors traditionally associated with Artillery units, the patch features a black arrowhead that symbolizes the growth of the Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery branches in the western plains of America and the first “indirect fire” (archery) at Agincourt, with its point tip serving as the symbol for Air Defense Artillery.
The two stars indicate excellence, the requirement in support of Warfighting Commanders in both branches. A cannon cast in gold, the color of excellence, is an emblem of the Fires Center of Excellence mission of developing accomplished Fire warriors and leaders, and the crossed lightning bolts denote the future resolution of Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery branches though the use of Directed Energy and Electronic Warfare.
Related Items
Field Artillery School Patch (SSI)
Field Artillery School Unit Crest (DUI)
Air Defense Artillery Center and School Patch (SSI)
Air Defense Artillery Center and School Unit Crest (DUI)