1/25/2009:
Symbolism has long played an important part in military tradition. The North Dakota National Guard's shoulder insignia is no exception; borrowing from the past and present to communicate North Dakota's rich military heritage.
Dominating the shield design is the State Military Crest. Approved by the Army on this date in 1926, the crest is a sheaf of three red and white arrows behind a yellow bow. Taken from the state's Great Seal, the bow and arrows reflect North Dakota's Native American military traditions. The crest's colors have significance too; red represents artillery, red and white signifies engineers, and the quartermaster and cavalry are reflected in yellow.
The North Dakota National Guard shoulder patch may not be as recognized as the 101st Airborne's "Screaming Eagle" or the 1st Infantry's "Big Red One," but it remains a fitting reminder of the service of North Dakotans past and present.
Written by Lane Sunwall
Sources Cooper, Jerry, and Glenn Smith. Citizens as Soldiers: A History of the North Dakota National Guard. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 2005.
"Shoulder Patch", North Dakota National Guard http://www.guard.bismarck.nd.us/jointforces/default.asp?ID=379 (accessed January 7, 2009).