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40TH MILITARY POLICE BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in width consisting of three gold bamboo trees with green leaves, on the center leaf a gold star, all between two elephants (head and fore legs) one facing right, the other facing left, in base a fountain (wavy gold and blue), below all a black scroll with a green reverse side, bearing the inscription "PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM" in gold letters.

Symbolism
The two elephants of equal size symbolize fairness and justice. The elephant, a beast of burden in the Far East, represents the strength and ability of the Battalion to perform its mission. The bamboo tree, with its young shoots and large leaves, alludes to the overall police protection and the training of personnel. The gold star refers to leadership, guidance, and the high ideals of the unit. The fountain represents the unit's overseas service, also the many rivers and waterways of the Far East. Green and yellow are the colors used for the Military Police.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved on 15 June 1967. It was amended to update the description on 12 December 2008




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Sable, between two demi-elephants statant addorsed, three bamboo trees Or with seven leaves and two leaves erect in base Vert fimbriated of the second, on a chief wavy of the last a mullet of the third.

Crest

From a wreath Or and Sable issuing from a wavy bar Celeste, a fasces Proper banded Gules intertwined with a stylized Oriental dragon of the first, armed and eyed Argent with pupil, tail, back spikes and langued of the fourth.

Motto

PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM.

Symbolism

Shield

The two elephants of equal size symbolize fairness and justice. The elephant, a beast of burden in the Far East, represents the strength and ability of the Battalion to perform its mission. The bamboo tree, with its young shoots and large leaves, alludes to the overall police protection and the training of personnel. The star refers to leadership, guidance, and the high ideals of the unit. The wavy chief represents the unit's overseas service, with its many rivers and waterways of the Far East. Green and yellow are the colors used for the Military Police.

Crest

The fasces, an ancient Roman symbol of higher magistrates' authority, is adopted from the Military Police Regimental insignia. It highlights the law enforcement mission of the Military Police to uphold the law and keep order. The red color of the banding on the bundle commemorates the Meritorious Unit Citation the unit earned in the Pacific Theater. The Oriental dragon, a powerful and mythical creature in East Asian culture, represents the Battalion's World War II campaign credit earned for the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. The dragon's colors are adapted from that streamer.

Background
The coat of arms was approved on 13 January 2009.





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