Resting on a bar of white and red twists, a sprig of cotton plant, green leaves with white full bursting boll, all on a gray disc 2 1/4 inches (5.72 cm) in diameter within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) blue border.
Cotton is a great element of wealth in the State. As the predominant original settlement within the State was of English origin, the twists of the wreath are white and red.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Alabama Army National Guard on 15 December 1948. The insignia was redesignated for Headquarters, State Area Command, Alabama Army National Guard on 15 August 1985. It was redesignated retroactive to 1 October 2003, for the Alabama Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters and amended to update the description and add a symbolism. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-474)