A flash is an embroidered, shield-shaped patch with a semicircular bottom that’s worn centered on the stiffener of a beret. Roughly 2.25” in length and 1.875” in width, flashes come in two categories, standard Army and organizational.
All Soldiers wear the Army flash on the black beret unless they serve (or in some instances previously served) in an organization or unit which is authorized to wear one of four colored berets that denote a unit’s classification: maroon for Airborne, green for Special Forces, tan for Rangers, and brown for Security Force Assistance Command/Security Force Assistance Brigades.
Because the U.S. Army Element of the Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA) is classified as an Airborne organization, the personnel serving in it —regardless of their individual Airborne-related qualifications—wear this black and red organizational flash on maroon berets. Generally speaking, Officers wear their non-subdued insignia of rank centered on the flash, while NCOs and Junior Enlisted wear the organization’s Distinctive Unit Insignia, often called a unit crest.
Related Items
U.S. Army Element, SOCAFRICA Patch (SSI)
U.S. Army Element, SOCAFRICA Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)Technically referred to as Airborne background trimmings, ovals are worn by personnel serving in an organization designated as Airborne or Air Assault who have earned a Parachutist or Air Assault badge. The main portion of the badge (i.e., excluding the wreath and star of some Parachutists badges) is centered on the oval, with the two items counting as one toward the maximum amount of badges and tabs allowed on a uniform. This combination is authorized for wear on the coats f the AGSU and ASU/ASU Dress variant, the ASU service uniform shirt, and the blue or green Army Maternity tunic (female Soldiers).