A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a blue fleur-de-lis bearing a gold spearhead point down and centered thereon a red tower with five battlements masoned gold.
The original unit's home area and World War II service consisting of five campaigns in the European Theater are represented by the elements of this design. The gold color of the spearhead denotes the historic armor association of the unit; the V-shape alluding to the spearhead tactics employed by armored forces during World War II, and further expressing the numerical designation of the unit (Roman numeral V for 5). The color blue of the fleur-de-lis relates to the state flags of Kansas and Nebraska and to World War II service in Normandy and Northern France. The red castle tower, symbolic of the enemy's European stronghold, refers to the action at the Maginot Line, and with its five battlements, further represents the unit's service in Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe campaigns.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 5th Brigade (Training) on 23 August 1984. It was redesignated for the 5th Armored Brigade on 17 November 1997.