A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/32 inches (2.78 cm) in height overall consisting of an octagon divided per chevron reversed Azure and Argent bearing the crest for the Army National Guard of the State of North Carolina Or (a hornet's nest hanging from a bough beset with 13 hornets).
The first flag of North Carolina, June 1775, bore a hornets' nest and the date May 20, 1775. ("The Flag of the United States and other National Flags," by Admiral Preble, page 627). Thus the hornets' nest of North Carolina antedates the Flag of the United States.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the State Staff and State Detachment, North Carolina National Guard on 30 November 1928. It was redesignated for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and noncolor bearing units of the North Carolina Army National Guard on 27 March 1972. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 October 1982, for Headquarters, State Area Command, North Carolina Army National Guard. It was redesignated for the North Carolina Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters and amended to update the description and add a symbolism effective 1 October 2003.