The Institute of Heraldry has no information regarding the history or symbolism of the United States Army Information and Data Systems Command (USAIDSCOM) patch (i.e., Shoulder Sleeve Insignia), and in fact even the most rigorous Internet search not only reveals nothing about the patch, but also nothing about the Command itself. The only reference mentioning the USAIDSCOM is HQ, Department of the Army General Orders No. 16, which reveals the command was established as a Class II activity under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Army’s Chief of Staff with an effective date of 1 June 1965.
However, the patch is listed in Barry Jason Stein’s insignia reference book U.S. Army Patches, Flashes and Ovals, which says the insignia was worn from 13 January 1968 to “unknown.” According to Stein, the checkered area of yellow and black squares (color version) symbolizes “Systematic Filing Data” (whatever that means).
In the lower half of the patch are two magnetic tape symbols that are connected by a contour to create the symbol for infinity, signifying the infinite use of automated data processing, a process most assuredly in USAIDSCOM’s wheelhouse. The contrasted colors of symbol are an allusion to input and output, or problem and solution, of the known and unknown.