A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a gold sun with ten alternating straight pointed and pediment pointed rays and surmounted in base by an arrowhead, point up, with eight alternating blue and white wavy bands, the lower points coinciding with the lower three rays of the sun and all in front of and above a continuous doubled scroll, the upper reverse portion red and the obverse lower portion blue bearing the inscription "Washington Rifles" in gold letters.
Blue is the color used for Infantry, the original designation of the unit. The dual nature of the pointed and pediment pointed rays, the former taken from the demi-sun of the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 41st Division, and the latter from the Philippine sun, symbolizes the organization's service in France in World War I, in the Philippines and in the Pacific are in World War II. The arrowhead with the white and blue wavy band, simulating water, commemorates the assault landing at Luzon. The colors, blue, white and red refer to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded during that period.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 81st Infantry Brigade on 1 June 1970. The insignia was redesignated for the 81st Armor Brigade with the description and symbolism updated on 11 September 2003. It was redesignated for the 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team on 18 May 2007. It was redesignated effective 16 October 2016, for the 81st Infantry Brigade Combat Team with the symbolism revised.