Brigade History

The 21st Signal Brigade is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command (NETCOM/9th SC-A).  The original 21st Signal Group was constituted on 22 June 1965 in the Regular Army as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 21st Signal Group and activated on 1 September 1965 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.    The unit was headquartered at Nha Trang, Nha Trang, South ViSouth Vietnam and provided area signal communications support throughout 10,000 square miles of the I and II Corps tactical zones in South Vietnam, saw action throughout thirteen campaigns during the Vietnam War, received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and was later inactivated on 27 November 1971 at Fort Lewis, Washington.  The unit was reactivated on 16 October 2003, and designated the 21st Signal Brigade, headquartered at Fort Detrick, Maryland.
The 21st Signal Brigade’s mission is to provide Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) systems support to the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, Combatant Commanders and other Federal Agencies.  To establish, operate, protect, and sustain the Army's CONUS (Continental United States) strategic portion of the Global Information Grid.  To protect and provide for the well-being of our people.
The Brigade is headquartered at Fort Detrick, Maryland and has three subordinate battalions and one field activity: the 114th Signal Battalion located at Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Adams County, Pennsylvania, the 302d Signal Battalion headquartered at Fort Detrick, Maryland, and the 56th Signal Battalion and 7th Signal Center are located at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

 

Shoulder Sleeve InsigniaShoulder Sleeve Insignia

  • Description: A cloth insignia 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 inches (5.08 cm) in width consisting of a rectangle with a convex radius top and bottom divided diagonally from top left to bottom right, white above, orange below, separated by a golden yellow lightning flash surmounted by a stylized sword with white blade, black and white handle with boss in the form of an orange terrestrial globe gridlined black and handguard formed from a black satellite dish in profile, the whole edged with a golden yellow border.

  • Symbolism: The Signal colors, white and orange, conjoined by the lightning bolt, represent the tactical and strategic elements of the mission.  The sword refers to readiness and unit history, the satellite dish denotes future technological activities of the unit.  The globe signifies worldwide capabilities.  Golden yellow indicates excellence, black denotes strength and solidarity.  White symbolizes integrity.

  • Background:   The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved effective 16 October 2003.

 

  • Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a sword pointed up with gold hilt and white blade between two orange lightning flashes originating at the sword's pommel and terminating on either side of its point; all entwined by an S-shaped gold scroll with that portion extending from upper left to lower right bearing the inscription "EDGE OF THE SWORD" in black letters. 

  • Symbolism: White and orange are the colors of the Signal Corps.  The flashes flanking the sword represent the Signal function in support of the military mission.  The motto is indicative of the spirit of the organization.

  • Background:   The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 21st Signal Group on 19 August 1968.  It was redesignated effective 16 October 2003, with description updated, for the 21st Signal Brigade.

 

 Distinctive Unit InsigniaDistinctive Unit Insignia