As a Direct Reporting Unit, the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) carries out operations related to intelligence, security, and information for both U.S. Army Commanders as well as government officials. It is organized both in the U.S. Army and the National Security Agency, which provides unified signals intelligence to military and government leaders, and inside the NSA INSCOM is grouped with Intelligence components of the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps to form the Central Security Service. A decade ago, INSCOM reported had an annual budget of roughly $6 billion.
Much of INSCOM’s work is classified, but occasional leaks provide sometimes amazing insight into the extremes to which military intelligence officials will go in an attempt to find new, untapped methods of data collection. Throughout the 1970s, for instance, INSCOM attempted to use paranormal techniques such as “remote viewing” to see inside guarded enemy installations, as well as telekinesis to render enemy personnel unconscious (or even dead) through psychic emanations. The General who led much of this research, Albert Stubblebbine, was later the subject of a motion pictured titled
The Men Who Stare at Goats.
This INSCOM Combat Service Identification Badge is the Army Service Uniform equivalent of the old color “unit patches,” i.e., Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for the now-defunct Class A/B Army Green Uniform. It is worn on the right side of the ASU, the Dress Uniform, and the Mess/Evening Mess Uniforms. Please refer to the Department of the Army Pamphlet 670-1 for specific wear guidelines.
Related Items
Intelligence and Security Command Patch (SSI)
Intelligence and Security Command Unit Crest (DUI)