The origins of today’s United States Army Forces Command Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, go back to World War I and the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) commanded by General John J. “Blackjack” Pershing. Inspired by a similarly colored brassard (armband) worn by U.S. Army Staff Officers as a distinguishing mark when moving about in heavily congested areas at the front lines, the insignia was selected by Pershing and approved by General Headquarters, AEF on 7 February 1919 for wear by all General HQ personnel (although it was not approved by the Adjutant General until 17 June 1922).
Its design was affected again by the appearance of another brassard in 1941, when regulations called for the brassard prescribed for General HQ, AEF to be worn so that the blue stripe was uppermost. To ensure conformity, the insignia’s designation was amended 19 July 1941 to change the manner of wear so that the blue stripe would be uppermost on both the insignia and the brassard that inspired it.
On 27 March 1942, the patch was redesignate for Army Ground Forces and in May 1948 this was changed to Army Field Forces. Changes in the Army’s organizational structure led to another redesignation on 9 September 1955, this time for the Continental Army Command. It was given its current designation on 1 July 1973.
Related Items
Forces Command Unit Crest (DUI)
Forces Command Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)
Forces Command Beret Flash and Oval Forces Command JTF International Deployment Beret Flash