A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height consisting of a lion's head, white with two scarlet horizontal bars on a blue triangular background, one point up, the left and right sides concave and the base convex; issuing from the sides of the background in a semi-circular form, nine white concentric rays; all above a scarlet scroll doubled and inscribed "COLLECTION FOR DEFENSE" in gold.
The white concentric rays represent light or knowledge gathered to a central point; they refer to the battalion's mission of collecting strategic information. The white and scarlet lion on the blue background is taken from the coat of arms of Hesse, Germany, where the unit was activated. The head only of the lion is used because it is a symbol of intelligence and reason. The color of the background, oriental blue, also refers to Military Intelligence.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 18th Military Intelligence Battalion on 28 August 1970. It was amended to revise the description and symbolism on 7 May 1993. The insignia was redesignated for the 206th Military Intelligence Battalion on 21 October 1996.