A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height consisting of two brick red wheels conjoined vertically, hub caps rimmed with gold, the upper part of the top wheel inscribed "WITHOUT" and the base of the lower wheel inscribed "PARALLEL" in gold letters; overall a gold square with rounded corners one point up bearing a narrow horizontal brick red band between an Oriental dragon's head and two olive branches bent and crossed over in saltire, all black.
The colors brick red and gold are the colors associated with the Transportation Corps. The wheels are representative of the motor transport mission of the predecessor organization; their position, simulating the numeral "8" also refers to the unit's numerical designation. A yellow diamond shape with black pictograms is the worldwide road sign system proposed by the United Nations; the diamond is currently used in the United States to indicate "Warning." The distinctive device of olive branches is taken from the coat of arms of the ancient city of Reims, France, where the German forces surrendered in World War II and the predecessor unit was inactivated. The two branches are symbolic of participation in two European campaigns. The single narrow red band without a parallel stands for the unit's daily "line haul" and refers to the organization's motto. The Oriental dragon refers to combat support service in Vietnam.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 8th Transportation Group on 22 August 1968. It was redesignated effective 14 July 1986, for the 8th Transportation Brigade with the symbolism revised.