U.S. Army Medical Department

A gold color medal caduceus, 1 inch in height. (With the exception of the Medical Corps, each Corps is identified by black enamel letters centered on the caduceus indicative of their Corps.) The insignia for Medical Service Corps is silver.

In 1851 "a caduceus embroidered in yellow silk on a half chevron of emerald green silk" was worn by Hospital Stewards of the Medical Department. The caduceus in its present form was approved in 1902. Rooted in mythology, the caduceus, historically an emblem of physicians symbolizes knowledge, wisdom, promptness, and various aspects of medical skill.

The plaque design has the branch insignia, letters, and rim in gold except the Medical Service Corps is silver. The background is maroon.

The coat of arms is displayed on the breast of a displayed eagle on the regimental flag. The coat of arms is: Per pale: to dexter, paly of thirteen Gules and Argent, on a chief Azure twenty mullets in four rows of five each of the second; to sinister, Argent, a staff entwined with a serpent Vert. The crest (On a wreath of the colors Argent and Gules, a cross below an arc of seven mullets all within a wreath of laurel, all Argent) is displayed above the eagle's head. The background color of the flag is maroon and the fringe is white. The coat of arms was approved on 17 April 1986.

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 inch in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned as follows: Per pale: to dexter, paly of thirteen Gules and Argent, on a chief Azure 20 mullets in four rows of five each of the Second; to sinister, Argent, a staff entwined with a serpent Vert; attached below the shield a blue scroll inscribed "TO CONSERVE FIGHTING STRENGTH" in silver. The insignia was originally approved on 17 April 1986 but the size was changed from 1 1/4 inch to 1 inch on 28 August 1986.

Symbolism of Regimental Insignia: The design of the shield is based on the shield of a historical heraldic device probably first used in 1818 by the Army Medical Department. The white stars on a blue background and the red and white stripes represents the United States flag of 1818. The green staff entwined with the serpent, originating in mythology, is symbolic of medicine and healing. Green was the color associated with the Corps during the last half of the nineteenth century. Symbology of the crest of the coat of arms: The colors Argent and Gules are those associated with the Army Medical Department. The cross and the wreath are adapted from devices authorized for hospital stewards and other enlisted men when the Hospital Corps was established in 1887. The seven stars emphasize the elements of the organization: Medical Corps, Army Nurse Corps, Dental Corps, Veterinary Corps, Medical Service Corps, Army Specialist Corps, and the Enlisted Medical Specialist. The motto "TO CONSERVE FIGHTING STRENGTH" reflects the medical mission.

A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches in height overall consisting of a green enamel pear-shaped scroll bearing in gold letters on the lower half the words "RESPONSIVE AND DEDICATED" and containing a maroon enamel Greek cross surmounted by a gold lamp enflamed with red enamel, and issuant out of each of the four angles a white enamel pointed ray enclosed at either side by a gold serpent with heads at top facing inward and tails entwined behind the center of the cross and curving down at either side.

Symbolism: Maroon and white are the colors used for the Army Medical Department. Green was the color first used in the medieval age for academic gowns for medicine and is currently the academic color for medicine. In 1847, green was prescribed as the first Army Medical Department color. The cross is a traditional symbol for medical aid and assistance, and the lamp represents dedication and service. The white rays together with the arms of the cross relate to the points of the compass alluding to the broad scope of the Medical Command. The serpents, suggested by the branch insignia of the Army Medical Department, are symbolic of wisdom, prudence, renewal, and convalescence.

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the US Army Health Services Command on 26 Jan 73 and redesignated for the US Army Medical Command on 30 Jun 94 to be effective 2 Oct 94.

On a maroon oval 2 1/4 inches in width and 3 inches in height overall, a sword with hilt at the top and hand guard in the form of a pair of stylized wings, and below two serpents with heads facing center and bodies entwined about the blade all in white and all within an 1/8 inch white border.

Symbolism: Maroon and white are the colors used for the Army Medical Department. The wings and serpents allude to the caduceus symbol representing all medical services, and the sword in place of the staff relates to the United States Army. The sword with point to base is symbolic of sacrifice and mercy, and alludes to the noncombatant role of the medical services.

The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the US Army Health Services Command on 31 Jan 73 and redesignated for US Army Medical Command on 30 Jun 94 to be effective 2 Oct 94. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-556).

A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall consisting of a maroon hexagon, one point up, bearing on the two vertical sides a white curved segment on each side of a gold vertical flaming torch entwined with two gold serpents facing the flame, all in front of gold rays radiant from the hexagon and enclosed by a maroon scroll arched and touching the hexagon at the top inscribed "PROTECT," folded in back of the hexagon at the sides, and on a curve touching the base point inscribed "PROJECT-SUSTAIN," all letters gold.

Symbolism: Maroon and white are the colors used for the Army Medical Department. The entwined serpents are suggested by the Army Medical Corps branch insignia and are associated with the art of medical healing. The flaming torch serving as the support refers to the guiding light of research and knowledge developed by the Command. The hexagon represents the symbols used in chemical formulas for structure of matter. The white spherical segments together with the emanating rays represent the worldwide mission to provide facilities and materials for medical activities.

Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command on 4 Feb 1972. The insignia was redesignated for the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command on 17 Nov 1994. On 21 Mar 1996 the insignia was amended to change the motto.

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18cm) in height overall consisting of a shield and crest blazoned: Shield: Sanguine, a torch Argent inflamed Proper entwined by two serpents of the second langued Or. Crest: From a wreath Argent and Sanguine a demi-unicorn rampant Argent armed Or. Attached below the shield a gold color scroll inscribed "KNOWLEDGE-INTEGRITY" in black.

Symbolism: Maroon and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Medical department. The torch, symbolic of learning, is entwined by serpents which represent health-giving virtues. The unicorn, a fabulous creature whose horn possessed the power of purification, denotes the hygienic function of the organization.

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the Meat and Dairy Hygiene School on 15 Jul 1953. It was redesignated for the U.S. Army Medical Service Veterinary School on 20 Jul 1962. On 24 Jun 1968 the insignia was amended to add the crest and motto. The distinctive unit insignia was redesignated for the U.S. Army Medical Department Veterinary School on 21 Mar 1969. On 31 Jan 1975 it was cancelled. As an exception to policy the insignia was reinstated for wear by personnel assigned to non-color bearing units of the U.S. Army Medical Department Veterinary Services on 9 Feb 1983. As a result of the organization of the U.S. Army Veterinary Command, the insignia was redesignated for the U.S. Army Veterinary Command and all non-color bearing veterinary units on 2 Oct 1994.