With a motto of “Center of Mercy,” the 2nd Medical Brigade was originally constituted in the Army Reserve as a Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of 2nd Hospital Center in March, 1976. It was activated six weeks later at Hamilton Air Force Base in San Rafael (its official name was Hamilton Army Airfield). The unit was redesignated a brigade in September, 1992, and its location switched San Pablo, California at the end of 1993.
The 2nd Medical Brigade is a direct reporting unit of the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support). With almost 10,000 soldiers in 99 units, the 807th is the largest medical command in the U.S. Army Reserve, and is one of just three 2-star deployable medical commands.
The CSIB, or Combat Service Identification Badge, of the 2nd Medical Brigade employs the colors of maroon and white because of their traditional association with the Medical Corps. Superimposed on a cross representing medical services and care is a fleam, a lancet-like surgical device that bears a strong resemblance to the Arabic “2,” the unit’s numerical designation. (A fleam is also used in the design of the unit’s Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest.) The gold that borders the circle represents both excellence and honor.
Related Items:
2nd Medical Brigade Patch (SSI)2nd Medical Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)