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550TH MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BATTALION
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Distinctive Unit Insignia


Description/Blazon
A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned as follows:  Argent, a lightning bolt bendwise point to base Azure, all within a bordure quarterly Gules and Argent (Silver Gray); and attached below the shield  a Blue scroll doubled Silver inscribed "BLUE LIGHTNING" in Silver letters.

Symbolism
Oriental blue and silver gray are the Military Intelligence colors.  Blue also alludes to the 50th Armor (Jersey Blues) Division, the Battalion's Capstone Division.  The colors red and white were suggested by the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 78th Division, to which the Battalion is assigned in peacetime.  The lightning bolt relates to the Battalion's signal security and electronic warfare mission.  The quartered border signifies military strategy.

Background
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 2 June 1986.




Coat of Arms


Description/Blazon

Shield

Argent, a lightning bolt bendwise point to base Azure, all within a bordure quarterly Gules and of the first (Silver Gray).

Crest

On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, the Lexington Minute Man Proper.  The statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor), stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Motto

BLUE LIGHTNING.

Symbolism

Shield

Oriental blue and silver gray are the Military Intelligence colors.  Blue also alludes to the 50th Armor (Jersey Blues) Division, the Battalion's Capstone Division.  The colors red and white were suggested by the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 78th Division, to which the Battalion is assigned in peacetime.  The lightning bolt relates to the Battalion's signal security and electronic warfare mission.  The quartered border signifies military strategy.

Crest

The crest is that of the United States Army Reserve.

Background
The coat of arms was approved on 2 June 1986.





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