The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia worn by U.S. Army personnel serving in the Special Operations Command, Korea (SOCKOR) was approved on 18 November 1996. In addition to the Airborne tab, a stylized rendering of an open parachute denotes the organization’s Airborne classification. Placed over the parachute’s guide wires is a taeguk, a symbol used on the Republic of Korea flag that strongly resembles the likely familiar black-and-white yin-yang symbol.
Three conjoined lightning bolts form the sides of the shield and illustrate the organization’s joint nature to emphasize the teamwork displayed by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The trio also underscores the methods of insertion and exfiltration—air, land, and sea—of Special Forces Soldiers. A black dagger, adapted from the Special Forces branch insignia, is an allusion to the highly specialized training and capabilities of the forces under the organization’s command and control.
Use the Selection boxes to the right to choose either the colored patch for wear on the AGSU or the monochrome patch for Combat and Utility uniforms. Be sure to select the appropriate camouflage type: the Operational Camouflage Pattern has now been issued for several years, but veterans wishing to match an older Army Combat Uniform might need the Universal Camouflage Pattern version.
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