10TH PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A gold color metal and enamel insignia 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height consisting of a disc equally divided by three radiating partition lines, the upper line vertical, white, gray and black, the disc beneath a gold scroll inscribed "Potestas Persuasionis" in black letters and above a gold wreath of ten laurel leaves, the top leaves surmounting the scroll; overall a gold equilateral triangle with concave sides and one point up bearing three red tongues of flame conjoined at the center and radiating toward each angle of the triangle.

Symbolism
The flame stands for light and wisdom; its three tongues point toward the three areas of propaganda with which the Battalion works. These areas are represented by the white, gray and black portions of the disc. The white color stands for acknowledged, true propaganda, the gray for propaganda emanating from a source not identified, and the black for propaganda from a source other than the truth. In addition, the flame, a symbol of unceasing activity and of good will, alludes to the continuous efforts of the organization to win hearts as well as minds by persuasion and truth. The triangle is a version of the Greek letter delta; it stands for the Mekong Delta where the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion was activated and served during the Vietnam conflict. The triangle is also a symbol of the psychological operations technique, i.e., the introduction of the first small point of an idea (represented by the apex), and its subsequent enlargement and widening (represented by the base). The colors gold and red are taken from the national flag of the Republic of Vietnam. They stand for excellence and courage and refer to Vietnam and to the Battalion's activation and service in that country. The wreath of laurel leaves refers to victory achieved by persuasion. The leaves are ten in number in allusion to the Battalion's numerical designation.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was authorized on 25 Nov 1968.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Vert, above a wreath of ten laurel leaves, a roundel tierced in pairle reversed Argent, Gray and Sable fimbriated Or superimposed by a triangle with concave sides of the last charged with three tongues of flame conjoined Gules.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath Or and Vert, the Lexington Minute Man Proper.

Motto

POTESTAS PERSUASIONIS (Power of Persuasion).

Symbolism
Bottle green and silver gray are the colors associated with Psychological Operations. The flame is for light and wisdom; its three tongues point toward the three areas of propaganda with which the battalion works. The white color stands for acknowledgement, true propaganda; the gray for propaganda emanating from a source not identified; and the black for propaganda from a source other than the truth. In addition, the flame, a symbol of unceasing activity and of good will, alludes to the continuous efforts of the organization to win hearts as well as minds by persuasion and truth. The triangle is a version of the Greek letter "delta"; it refers to the Mekong Delta where the unit was activated and served during the Vietnam conflict. The triangle is also a symbol of a psychological operations technique, i.e., the introduction of the first small point of an idea (represented by the apex), and its subsequent enlargement and widening (represented by the base). The colors gold and red are taken from the national flag of the Republic of Vietnam. They highlight courage and excellence and refer, again, to the battalion's activation and service in Vietnam. The wreath of laurel leaves symbolizes victory achieved by persuasion. The leaves are ten in number in allusion to the battalion's numerical designation.

Background
The coat of arms was authorized on 16 Apr 1996.





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