United States Army Institute of Heraldry
Encyclopedia
The United States Army Institute of Heraldry furnishes heraldic services to the Armed Forces and other United States government organizations, including the Executive Office of the President. The activities of the Institute encompass research, design, development, standardization, quality control, and other services relating to official symbolic items—seals, decorations, medals, insignia, badges, flags, and other items awarded to or authorized for official wear or display by government personnel and agencies. Limited research and information services concerning official symbolic items are also provided to the general public. The Institute of Heraldry is located at Fort Belvoir
, a military installation within the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. The staff consists of thirty-two civilians.
, however, there was no co-ordinated military heraldry program until 1919, when an office within the United States Department of War
staff was established to approve and co-ordinate the coats of arms
and insignia
of U.S. Army organizations. In 1924, formal staff responsibility for specific military designs was delegated to the Quartermaster General
. As the needs for symbolism by the military services and the national government expanded, the scope of the services furnished by the Quartermaster General's Office evolved into the Heraldic Program.
The expansion of the Army during World War II, and the subsequent increased interest in symbolism, contributed to the growth of the Heraldic Program. It was further expanded by , approved September 1957, , which delineated the authority of the Secretary of the Army to furnish heraldic services to the military departments and other branches of the federal government.
and the Code of Federal Regulations
(32 CFR, Part 507) permit the Institute of Heraldry to issue directives on how military insignia are displayed, the criteria for issuance, and how insignia will be worn on military uniforms.
On 1960-08-10, Army General Order
Number 29 placed the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry under the control of the Quartermaster General
. The Army Adjutant General’s
office assumed responsibility of the Institute in 1962, when the Office of the Quartermaster General ceased existing because the Army reorganized. In 1987, another realignment subordinated the Institute to the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command (the U.S. Army Human Resources Command). In April 1994, the Institute of Heraldry moved from Cameron Station to Fort Belvoir
, Virginia
. In October 2004, another realignment assigned responsibility for the Heraldic Program to The Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, Resources and Programs Agency, part of the United States Army
.
The label also is indicative of The Institute of Heraldry being the direct descendant (offspring) of the heraldic activity initially created in 1919 under The General Staff, United States Army, in 1924 transferred to the Quartermaster General and in 1962 reassigned to The Adjutant General.
Furthermore, the label alludes to The Institute of Heraldry as being the only heraldic activity in the United States which is officially comparable to the heraldic institutions of the Old World and which continues the art and science of heraldry under its long established traditional and historic rules.
The griffin, a fabulous animal half eagle and half lion, is symbolic of wisdom and inspiration.
The role of the griffin as guardian of treasure is symbolic of the Institute's singular responsibility to safeguard the heraldic art of the federal government.
The eagle also alludes to the United States and the lion to Great Britain, the major source of US language, laws and heraldic knowledge.
Dexter: The large white star (heraldic mullet) edged with blue symbolizes all the States, which comprise the United States, and was suggested by the union of the United States Flag.
Sinister: The red and white (Tudor) heraldic rose alludes to the first and permanent colonization of America by the English under the Tudors.
Gold is symbolic of achievement and honor, red of zeal, and black of jurisprudence and knowledge.
Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir is a United States Army installation and a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Originally, it was the site of the Belvoir plantation. Today, Fort Belvoir is home to a number of important United States military organizations...
, a military installation within the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. The staff consists of thirty-two civilians.
History
Heraldic and other military symbols have been used by the U.S. military and government agencies since the beginning of the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, however, there was no co-ordinated military heraldry program until 1919, when an office within the United States Department of War
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
staff was established to approve and co-ordinate the coats of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
and insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
of U.S. Army organizations. In 1924, formal staff responsibility for specific military designs was delegated to the Quartermaster General
Quartermaster general
A Quartermaster general is the staff officer in charge of supplies for a whole army.- The United Kingdom :In the United Kingdom, the Quartermaster-General to the Forces is one of the most senior generals in the British Army...
. As the needs for symbolism by the military services and the national government expanded, the scope of the services furnished by the Quartermaster General's Office evolved into the Heraldic Program.
The expansion of the Army during World War II, and the subsequent increased interest in symbolism, contributed to the growth of the Heraldic Program. It was further expanded by , approved September 1957, , which delineated the authority of the Secretary of the Army to furnish heraldic services to the military departments and other branches of the federal government.
and the Code of Federal Regulations
Code of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations is the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government of the United States.The CFR is published by the Office of the Federal Register, an agency...
(32 CFR, Part 507) permit the Institute of Heraldry to issue directives on how military insignia are displayed, the criteria for issuance, and how insignia will be worn on military uniforms.
On 1960-08-10, Army General Order
General order
In militaries, a general order is a published directive, originated by a commander, and binding upon all personnel under his command, the purpose of which is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to his unit's situation which is not otherwise addressed in applicable service regulations, military...
Number 29 placed the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry under the control of the Quartermaster General
Quartermaster general
A Quartermaster general is the staff officer in charge of supplies for a whole army.- The United Kingdom :In the United Kingdom, the Quartermaster-General to the Forces is one of the most senior generals in the British Army...
. The Army Adjutant General’s
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
office assumed responsibility of the Institute in 1962, when the Office of the Quartermaster General ceased existing because the Army reorganized. In 1987, another realignment subordinated the Institute to the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command (the U.S. Army Human Resources Command). In April 1994, the Institute of Heraldry moved from Cameron Station to Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir is a United States Army installation and a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Originally, it was the site of the Belvoir plantation. Today, Fort Belvoir is home to a number of important United States military organizations...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. In October 2004, another realignment assigned responsibility for the Heraldic Program to The Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, Resources and Programs Agency, part of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Specific functions
- Authorize heraldic items for U.S. Army Organizations.
- Approve designs for distinctive unit insigniaDistinctive unit insigniaA Distinctive Unit Insignia is a metal heraldic device worn by soldiers in the United States Army. The DUI design is derived from the coat of arms authorized for a unit...
(DUI), Regimental Distinctive Insignia (RDI), and shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI), as authorized by Army Regulation 670-1. - Establish Army policy for flagFlagA flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
design and display. - Design and develop insigniaInsigniaInsignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
(branch, grade, unit) seals, medals, badges, band regalia and flagFlagA flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
s. - Fabricate three-dimensional display items.
- Prepare heraldic item specifications and provide engineering support to manufacturers.
- Monitor the Heraldic Quality Control System in accordance with Army Regulation 672-8, to ensure heraldic items are manufactured according to government specifications or purchase descriptions.
- Authorize the use of Army insigniaInsigniaInsignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
when incorporated into items for commercial sale. - Provide manufacturers with government-loaned tools and specifications for heraldic items.
Escutcheon
Or a chevron Gules, on a chief Sable a label of the first. The red chevron refers to the military (armed services) which supports and is under the civil jurisdiction of the federal government represented by the label, the three points alluding to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.The label also is indicative of The Institute of Heraldry being the direct descendant (offspring) of the heraldic activity initially created in 1919 under The General Staff, United States Army, in 1924 transferred to the Quartermaster General and in 1962 reassigned to The Adjutant General.
Furthermore, the label alludes to The Institute of Heraldry as being the only heraldic activity in the United States which is officially comparable to the heraldic institutions of the Old World and which continues the art and science of heraldry under its long established traditional and historic rules.
Crest
On a wreath Or and Gules, a griffin rampant of the first.The griffin, a fabulous animal half eagle and half lion, is symbolic of wisdom and inspiration.
The role of the griffin as guardian of treasure is symbolic of the Institute's singular responsibility to safeguard the heraldic art of the federal government.
The eagle also alludes to the United States and the lion to Great Britain, the major source of US language, laws and heraldic knowledge.
Banners
Flanking the crest two banners, the staffs Light Brown with Silver finials and ferrules passing behind the shield and extending below the motto scroll, the dexter banner Or bordered compony of the like and Azure, charged with a mullet of the last voided Argent, the sinister banner Or bordered compony of the like and Gules, charged with a Tudor Rose barb and seeded Vert.Dexter: The large white star (heraldic mullet) edged with blue symbolizes all the States, which comprise the United States, and was suggested by the union of the United States Flag.
Sinister: The red and white (Tudor) heraldic rose alludes to the first and permanent colonization of America by the English under the Tudors.
Gold is symbolic of achievement and honor, red of zeal, and black of jurisprudence and knowledge.
Motto
Aegis fortissima honos (Honor is the Strongest Shield) on a scroll Or lined Sable with lettering of the last.See also
- Distinctive Unit InsigniaDistinctive unit insigniaA Distinctive Unit Insignia is a metal heraldic device worn by soldiers in the United States Army. The DUI design is derived from the coat of arms authorized for a unit...
- Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
- :commons:Category:Regimental coats of arms of the United States Army