As is the case with almost all U.S. Army units, the 82nd Airborne Division CSIB (Combat Service Identification Badge) employs the same insignia design as the Division’s Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch. The pair of stylized “As” stand for “All-American,” reflecting the fact that at the time the was originally organized it contained Soldiers from all of the 48 states (Hawaii and Alaska not yet having been admitted to the Union at the time).
The CSIB ranks fifth in order of precedence of all badges worn by U.S. Army personnel and third among the badges worn the wearer’s right side, superseded only the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Service ID badges. Personnel are allowed to wear no more than two ID badges on one side of the appropriate uniform; Soldiers who have more than two ID badges prescribed for wear on the same side may choose which two are to be worn.
The only time that an ID badge may be worn on a side other than the one for which it is prescribed is when a Soldier is wearing the CSIB; in that case, the Soldier may move a right-side badge with lower precedence to the left so the CSIB may stand alone or be worn with another right-side badge. Examples of lower right-side ID badges include (but are not limited to) the Army staff badge; Guard, Tomb of the Unknowns; Drill Sergeant ID; and Career Counselor. Refer to
DA PAM 670-1, 22–17(e), “Position and wear of Identification Badges” for more detailed guidance.
Related Items
82nd Airborne Division Patch (SSI)
82nd Airborne Division Unit Crest (DUI)