The Transportation Corps’ branch colors, Brick Red and Golden Yellow, are used on several uniform items. They were most prominently displayed on the hatband of the service cap worn by Company- and Field-Grade officers, but with the establishment of the Logistics branch in 2008, officers who reach Field Grade officers in the Transportation Corps (and who have completed requisite Logistics courses) become members of the Logistics branch and wear a service cap with that insignia.
Brick Red is seen on the sleeves of the Army Service Uniform worn by Transportation Corps officers (except generals), on the lapels and sleeves of the Blue Mess Dress jacket worn by officers (male and female), and the lining of the optional blue cape worn by officers below the rank of Brigadier General.
When the Transportation Corps’ predecessor organization, the Motor Transport Corps, was established in 1918, its personnel wore purple piping on their overseas caps. Following the Armistice, the Transportation Corps was assigned the colors scarlet piped with green in 1919.
But as had been the case after every war in the history of the United States up until that point, Congress wished to reduce the size of the Army to pre-WWI levels. As part of that reduction, the Motor Transport Corps and the Transportation Service were merged into the Quartermaster Corps. It wasn’t until 1942 and the establishment of the Transportation Corps that the current colors of Brick Red and Golden Yellow were approved.
Related Transportation Corps Items