A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in width consisting of a hexagon Azure one side up, the crest of the California Army National Guard: From a wreath of the colors Or and Gules, the setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant on a grassy field all Proper.
California is the Sunset State, the Golden Gate Commonwealth. The grizzly bear was on the flag of the California Republic. As the original settlement within the State was of Spanish origin, the twists of the wreath are yellow and red.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the State Staff and State Detachment, California National Guard on 25 January 1936. It was redesignated for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and noncolor bearing units of the California Army National Guard on 22 January 1969. The insignia was redesignated for the Headquarters, State Area Command, California Army National Guard effective 30 December 1983. It was redesignated effective 1 October 2003 for the California Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters and amended to update the description and add a symbolism.