• Each unit in the United States Army has its own insignia, worn as combat patches by troops.u.s. army flag flies in front of home image by Christopher Martin from Fotolia.com
  
  An army combat patch is a badge worn on the right shoulder of a U.S. soldier's uniform to recognize that soldier's service during military operations. The combat patch is a colloquial term for the badge, which is also referred to as shoulder sleeve insignia; each unit in the U.S. military has its own personal insignia design. The use of shoulder sleeve insignia dates back to World War I, according to the Black Jack Round-Up newsletter.
  
  

1st Armored Division

• The patch worn by the 1st Armored Division of the United States Army, also known as the "Old Ironsides", is made up of three colors: blue, yellow and red and features a tank track along with a red lightning bolt and the number one. The 1st Armored Division is one of the oldest units in the U.S. forces and has seen service everywhere from North Africa during World War II to Iraq in the 2000s. The nickname of "Old Ironsides" was given to the unit by its former commander, Major General Bruce R. Magruder, who was inspired by the tough warship, the U.S.S. Constitution.
  
  

187th Infantry Regiment

• Veterans of many conflicts, this airborne regiment's soldiers have deployed directly onto many battlefields, including during Operation Eagle Thrust, which saw the regiment airlift into the jungles of Vietnam. The regiment's shoulder sleeve insignia shows a red sword on a white background with a blue column on either side of the blade.
  
  

58th Infantry Brigade

• The combat patch worn by the 58th Infantry Brigade depicts a red and white cross with a yellow needle running through it diagonally on a navy and grey background. This insignia was allocated to the Brigade on September 17, 1976, as described by the Institute of Heraldry website but was later taken from the unit when their status as a separate brigade was altered. In 2006, the insignia was returned to the Brigade in an updated form.
  
  

U.S. Army North

• The U.S. Army North claims a fairly simple shoulder sleeve insignia, which depicts a large letter A, underneath which is a number 5, both displayed in white. Behind these is a blue background, forming the shape of a mosque, with a red backdrop behind that. The three colors represent the United States flag, while the mosque shape can trace its symbolism back to the unit's forerunner, the Fifth Army, which was activated in Morocco. The design was approved on January 26, 1927, as described by the Institute of Heraldry website.
  
  

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

• The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's soldiers are also known as the "Brave Rifles", and their combat patch shows a military bugle, incorporated into a green and yellow design, with a number three at the bottom. The unit was originally titled the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, because its members were equipped with hunting rifles which granted them longer range than the muskets typically used by members of the U.S. Army.