Indigenous to Missouri, the grizzly bear has been used on the State Steal for over 200 years (2022 marked the bicentennial of its appearance on the seal) and is the dominant image on the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the Missouri Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters. “Protectors Of Peace,” the HQ’s motto, is rendered in gold script on a blue background, with those two colors being chosen to denote the State’s status as part of the Louisiana purchase. The red background behind the grizzly represents courage and the willingness to fight aggressors.
Also called a unit crest, this Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) was originally approved for the HQ and HQ Detachment and all non-color bearing units of the Missouri Army National Guard (ARNG) on 20 July 1971. It would be redesignated for the HQ, State Area Command of the Missouri ARNG with an effective date of 30 December 1983. On 1 October 2003, the insignia was redesignated to reflect the joint-force redesign of the National Guard at the national and state levels.
Jefferson City, Missouri is home of the Joint Force Headquarters, Missouri National Guard.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦