33D MILITARY POLICE BATTALION
Distinctive Unit Insignia

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height consisting of a white four-sided fort with two bastions, one up and one down, bearing two blue horizontal bands surmounted by a scarlet six-pointed star; issuing from the fort six arrows with gold shafts and scarlet heads, three to the right and three to the left, all surmounting a green disc within a gold encircling scroll the upper part inscribed WE SERVE and the lower WE PROTECT in red letters.

Symbolism
The fort represents Fort Dearborn, the United States military garrison which protected the settlements that later became Chicago, headquarters of the 33d Military Police Battalion.  The blue bands and scarlet six-pointed star are from the flag of Chicago.  The six arrows radiating from the fort stand for military protection; they are divided into two groups of three each in reference to the Battalions numerical designation.  The arrows also allude to the six tribes of the Illinois Indians, first inhabitants of the area.  The green background stands for the Great Plains of Illinois, long called the Prairie State.  The colors green and yellow are used for the Military Police Corps.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 17 September 1969.




Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms

Blazon
Vert, radiating in glory from fess point six arrows Or barbed Gules fimbriated of the second surmounted by a lozenge barbed in pale Argent, charged with two bars Azure, and oppressed by a mullet of six Red. That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Illinois Army National Guard:  From a wreath Or and Vert, upon a grassy field the blockhouse of old Fort Dearborn Proper. WE SERVE WE PROTECT.

Symbolism
The lozenge represents Fort Dearborn, the United States military garrison which protected the settlements that later became Chicago, headquarters of the 33d Military Police Battalion.  The blue bands and scarlet six-pointed star are from the flag of Chicago.  The six arrows radiating from the fort stand for military protection; they are divided into two groups of three each in reference to the Battalions numerical designation.  The arrows also allude to the six tribes of the Illinois Indians, first inhabitants of the area.  The green background stands for the Great Plains of Illinois, long called the Prairie State.  The colors green and yellow are used for the Military Police Corps. The crest is that of the Illinois Army National Guard.

Background
The coat of arms was approved 15 December 1997.





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