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SPECIAL TROOPS BATTALION, 81ST ARMORED BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per chevron enhanced Or and Gules, a pale bretessed, all counterchanged; in chief three mullets Azure, Argent, and of the second; in base between a palm frond palewise and a scimitar point down Or, issuing from a bar wavy of the fourth surmounted by another Celeste, a demi-sea lion rampant grasping in dexter paw a sword bend sinisterwise of the third. Attached around the bottom of the shield a Blue scroll inscribed "BACKBONE OF THE BRIGADE" in Gold letters.

Symbolism
Red symbolizes valor and sacrifice and yellow (gold) is emblematic of honor and high achievement. The column alludes to a backbone which is a metaphor for courage and assertiveness and underscores the unit's motto of being the Backbone of the Brigade. The embattlements or crenellations along the column suggest tank tracks and the mobilization capabilities of the 81st Armored, Special Troops Battalion. The counterchanged colors represent unity and pulling together. The three stars signify the unit's campaign participation credits for World War II operations at Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, and Luzon. The sea lion, adapted from the Philippine Presidential Flag, commemorates the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the organization in World War II. The colors of the stars reflect the citation's ribbon colors. The wavy bar refers to the tropical seas of the Southeast Asia area of operations during World War II. The palm frond and scimitar represent participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 27 February 2007.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Per chevron enhanced Or and Gules, a pale bretessed, all counterchanged; in chief three mullets Azure, Argent, and of the second; in base between a palm frond palewise and a scimitar point down Or, issuing from a bar wavy of the fourth surmounted by another Celeste, a demi-sea lion rampant grasping in dexter paw a sword bend sinisterwise of the third.

Crest

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Washington Army National Guard: From a wreath Or and Gules, a raven with wings endorsed issuing out of a ducal coronet all Proper.

Motto

BACKBONE OF THE BRIGADE.

Symbolism

Shield

Red symbolizes valor and sacrifice and yellow (gold) is emblematic of honor and high achievement. The column alludes to a backbone which is a metaphor for courage and assertiveness and underscores the unit's motto of being the Backbone of the Brigade. The embattlements or crenellations along the column suggest tank tracks and the mobilization capabilities of the 81st Armored, Special Troops Battalion. The counterchanged colors represent unity and pulling together. The three stars signify the unit's campaign participation credits for World War II operations at Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, and Luzon. The sea lion, adapted from the Philippine Presidential Flag, commemorates the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the organization in World War II. The colors of the stars reflect the citation's ribbon colors. The wavy bar refers to the tropical seas of the Southeast Asia area of operations during World War II. The palm frond and scimitar represent participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

Crest

The crest is that of the Washington Army National Guard.

Background
The coat of arms was approved on 27 February 2007.





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