The Airborne background trimming (oval) worn by personnel in the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment was approved on 20 June 1994. As the name indicates, this embroidered insignia serves as a backing, namely for two types of Airborne-related Skill badges: Parachutist and Air Assault.
The main portions of these badges (i.e., not counting the star and wreathed star atop the Senior and Master Parachutist badges, respectively) is centered on the oval, which forms a trim or border around the badge when it is placed on one of three types of authorized uniform garments: Service Uniforms coats and shirts and the Army Maternity Tunic.
General wear guidance for ovals is found in
Chapter 21-32, subsection (b), of the January 2021 edition of DA PAM 670-1, as well as in the “Insignia, accouterments, decorations, badges, unit awards, and appurtenances” section found in each of the Chapters 11 through 15. Regulations regarding the placement of Skill badges vary between the different types of authorized uniforms; detailed instructions are found in
Chapter 22-16, subsection (b) of DA PAM 670-1.
Based in Vicenza, Italy, the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment has been assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team since 16 December 2001, when it was reactivated after an 11-year-plus hiatus that began with it being relieved of assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea on 29 September 1990.