297TH MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per bend Azure (Oriental Blue) and Sable, in dexter base a gauntlet Argent grasping a lightning flash sword bendwise blade of the like, grip and pommel Gules, quillon Or. Attached below the shield a Black scroll doubled and inscribed "VANGUARD" in Silver.

Symbolism
The colors oriental blue and silver gray/silver are traditionally associated with Military Intelligence. The armored fist represents strength; the lightning flash denotes speed. The first seizes the blade of the sword to indicate readiness and vigilance. Black denotes dependability and suggests covert capabilities. The fist, upraised and grasping the sword, suggests leadership, highlighting the unit's motto.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 16 December 1991.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Per bend Azure (Oriental Blue) and Sable, in dexter base a gauntlet Argent grasping a lightning flash sword bendwise blade of the like, grip Gules, pommel and quillon Or.

Crest

From a wreath Argent and Celeste (Oriental Blue), a stylized eagle with displayed wings inverted Or bearing a shield of the last fimbriated Celeste blazoned as follows: Or, on a fess Gules a heraldic rose Proper.

Motto

VANGUARD.

Symbolism

Shield

The colors oriental blue and silver gray/silver are traditionally associated with Military Intelligence. The armored fist represents strength; the lightning flash denotes speed. The fist seizes the blade of the sword to indicate readiness and vigilance. Black denotes dependability and suggests covert capabilities. The fist, upraised and grasping the sword, suggests leadership, highlighting the unit's motto, "Vanguard."

Crest

The eagle bearing the shield alludes to the Coat of Arms of Iraq, representing the Battalion's campaign credit in the country for the War on Terrorism. The fess signifies the Meritorious Unit Commendation awarded to the unit for service in Southwest Asia. The heraldic rose, an ancient symbol of secrecy, denotes the unit's mission.

Background
The coat of arms was approved on 16 December 1991. It was amended to include a crest on 4 September 2008.





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