The 97th Civil Affairs Battalion organizational flash, or just “flash” for short, is worn on the maroon beret to denote the unit’s Airborne-qualified status. Centered on the stiffener of the beret, the flash serves the dual function of unit identification as support for non-subdued insignia of grade for Officers or Distinctive Unit Insignia for NCOs or Junior Enlisted Soldiers (Regimental Distincitive Insignias are worn if a unit has not been authorized a DUI).
Background trimming—the official name for the oval—is not worn on the beret, but beneath Parachutist or Air Assault badges worn on Service Uniform coats (AGSU and ASU, including the ASU Dress Uniform variation) and Service Uniform shirts; Female Soldiers may also wear them on the blue or green Army Maternity Tunic.
When worn together, the oval and a badge counts as a single item toward badge limits (the AGSU and ASU have different regulations regarding total number of badges allowed) and for measurements used to determine placement in relation to pockets, ribbons, other badges, etc.
Aligned with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (a joint force) and U.S. Army Pacific (the Army’s element in INDOPACOM), the 97th Civil Affairs Battalion is immediately subordinate to the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade. It comprises six companies that are headquartered along with the Battalion’s HQ and HQ Company at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in North Carolina.
Click here to add the
97th Civil Affairs Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (unit crest) to your shopping cart or just to read
more detailed information on the Battalion’s lineage and history.