On a gray rectangular shield with arced top and bottom within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) gray border 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 inches (5.08 cm) in width overall, a blue saltire surmounted by a fleur-de-lis the center frond red and the outer fronds and cross-bar gold.

The saltire, symbol used on military maps to represent a brigade, stands for the Organization. In addition, the saltire, which appears on the coat of arms of Nova Scotia, alludes to the Brigade's home area whose early inhabitants were from Nova Scotia. The fleur-de-lis, referring to the location of the Brigade's headquarters at Lafayette, stands for the French background and traditions of that part of the State. The center frond is red in reference to Lafayette's original name, Vermilionville, and to nearby Bayou Vermilion. The combination of blue, for Infantry and silver, representing sincerity, with red and gold also alludes to the branch colors for Artillery and various other components of the Brigade. The rectangle shield shape is the traditional shape for shoulder sleeve insignia of brigades.  

The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the 256th Infantry Brigade on 23 July 1968.  It was redesignated for the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and amended to update the description on 3 August 2007. It was amended to update the symbolism 22 June 2023. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-500)