Draft:358th Civil Affairs Brigade

• Comment: Pg.60, the same with #Symbolism. Several other contents can also be found on this pdf. -Lemonaka 06:12, 20 November 2024 (UTC)

• Comment: This draft does not meet the minimum standard for inline citations; direct quotations must have an inline citation that appears no later than directly after the full stop on the sentence in which the quote is included. UserMemer (chat) Tribs 14:08, 4 November 2024 (UTC)

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The 358TH Civil Affairs Brigade was created on 31 January 1966 in the United States Army Reserve as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 358th Civil Affairs Area, and activated at Norristown, Pennsylvania.

The Unit was later reorganized and re-designated 1 June 1975 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 358th Civil Affairs Brigade (358 CA BDE).

The 358 CA BDE was ordered into active military service in support of the Global War on Terror 16 February 2003 at Norristown, Pennsylvania; released from active military service 14 February 2005 and reverted to reserve status.

The 358 CA BDE was again ordered into active military service in continuing support to the Global War on Terror 20 September 2006 at Norristown, Pennsylvania; released from active military service 17 March 2008 and reverted to reserve status.

358 CA BDE was geographically relocated 30 April 2008 to Riverside, California, currently subordinate to 351 Civil Affairs Command (CACOM) in Mountain View California.

351 CACOM, 358 CA BDE is aligned to support United States Indo-Pacific Command.

What is Civil Affairs?

The 358 CA BDE is part of the CA Regiment and works in conjunction with partner forces to achieve mission objectives.

Civil Affairs History

CA History

If one accepts Clausewitz's definition of war as a duel; on grander scale in which each party attempts to compel the other to do their will by physical force. Then the role of uniformed Civil Affairs Forces sometimes dubbed Warrior Diplomats must likewise support in someway the achievement of their supported forces vision and mission. War is waged upon the land as such since its inception has always effected the civilian population. Officers and Soldiers have naturally had to interface with the civilian population, and at times assist, advise and even govern territory. An early notable US Military Government example is the Transitional Military Authority established in the Mexican American War. Subsequently after the Hunt Report, the first deliberate Civil Affairs units in the U.S. Army were formed during World War II. Additional Civil Affairs units saw service in subsequent conflicts. Civil Affairs/Military Government was established as an Army Reserve Branch on 17 August 1955, The United States Army Reserve home to part-time soldiers who could bring different skills to the Regular Army not commonly found. Subsequently, re-designated as the Civil Affairs Branch on 2 October 1959, its members continued its mission to provide guidance to commanders on a broad spectrum of civil affairs activities. The demand for Civil Affairs forces led to the expansion of Civil Affairs in the Regular Army and Civil Affairs beings established as a basic branch of the Army effective 16 October 2006 by Department of the Army General Orders (AGO) No. 29, 12 January 2007.

Civil Affairs and 358 CA BDE in Just Cause

December 1989, President George H.W. Bush faced an international crisis in Panama just months after taking office. Following General Manuel Noriega’s takeover of his nation’s government, Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF) attacked two U.S. service members, killing one.

The United States sought to bring Noriega to justice, restore popular government in Panama, and protect American lives, property, and the Panama Canal.

The 358th CA BDE was among the elements that support this mission

Historian Stanley Sandler identified five key tasks that civil affairs forces conducted as part of the U.S. operation:

1. Support U.S. military efforts to establish law and order;
2. Provide CA support to the new Panamanian government;
3. Establish and run a refugee camp
4. Establish civil-military operations support;
5. Aid in conducting nation-building operations.

Civil affairs personnel cared for displaced persons, assisted the new Panamanian government, restored public services, and reestablished law and order.

Headquarters and Headquarters Company 358th Civil Affairs Brigade Honors

Campaign Participation Credit

• War on Terrorism: Global War on Terrorism (additional campaigns to be determined)

Decorations

• Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2003

• Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered IRAQ 2006-2007

Lineage and Honors last updated by The United States Center of Military History 2008

Subordinate Units

• 416th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) – San Diego, California
• 425th Civil Affairs Battalion – Encino, California
• 426th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) – Upland, California
• 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion – Buckeye, Arizona

416th CA BN a down trace unit of the 358 CA BDE Conducts Airborne Operations

Distinctive Unit Insignia

"Victory for Humanity"

Description/Blazon

A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height consisting of a white background on which is a vertical gold sword blade up in front of a gold quill and rolled scroll in saltire, overall a blue keystone supported by the hand guard of the sword and bearing a gold globe gridlined blue; folded over the sword hilt passing beneath the quill, scroll and sword blade a tripartite purple scroll inscribed "VICTORY" on the dexter segment, "FOR" in base, and "HUMANITY" on the sinister segment all in gold letters.

Symbolism

Regale Purple and white are the colors used for Civil Affairs. The scroll and quill in saltire represent strength in civil authority and justice while the upright sword refers to the military responsibility to secure and protect peace. A keystone, symbol for Pennsylvania, the unit's original home state, reflects the state colors blue and gold, while the globe is indicative of the organization's mission and capabilities.

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 27 April 1977.

• Despite the relocation to California the unit has maintained the Keystone on its DUI. In this small symbolic way the unit maintains its connections to its past back to the designation 358th Civil Affairs Area, at Norristown, Pennsylvania. One could likewise argue the fitting symbolism of the Keystone. Civil Affairs Mission and the one undertaken by the 358 CA BDE and its supported units whom execute the Civil Affairs mission for a campaign are of paramount importance that enable the high price paid by citizen soldiers in conflict to be lasting. This importance while arguably known since Waring tribes, and nation states have populated the Earth was deftly Explained by Colonel Irwin Hunt and his staff after World War I in American Military Government of Occupied Germany: 1918-1920.

358 CA BDE maintains its connection to its past with symbol of the keystone and the load-bearing work of its mission.

358TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BRIGADE former Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Former SSI

Description/Blazon

On an oblong shield 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 inches (5.08 cm) in width overall, arced at top and base and divided quarterly blue and yellow, a purple globe with white outline and grid lines, all surmounted diagonally throughout from lower right to upper left by a white sheathed sword, hilt to base; all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) white border.

Symbolism

Purple and white are the colors used for Civil Affairs. Blue and yellow are the colors of the State of Pennsylvania where the unit is presently located. The globe alludes to the scope of the organization capabilities. The sword represents military authority and is sheathed to symbolize support of post combat military operations.

Background

The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 9 June 1976. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-593)

Current Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command shoulder sleeve insignia

Description/Blazon

On a green shield with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) green border, 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height overall, a yellow flash above a purple flash both bend sinisterwise, superimposed by a gold sword with silver gray blade. To be worn with the black and yellow Airborne tab.

Symbolism

The sword represents the military nature and strength of the Command. The flashes suggest speed and electronic communications. The colors of the insignia reflect the units within the Command. Purple is traditionally associated with Civil Affairs and dark green with Psychological Operations and Special Forces. The color gold (yellow) denotes excellence.

Background

The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the US Army Reserve Special Operations Command on 16 January 1990. It was amended to change the color of the border on 2 March 1990. It was amended to change the color of the subdued border on 30 April 1990. The insignia was redesignated for the US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command on 19 December 1990. (TIOH Drawing Number A-1-774)

The Enduring Service of CA D-Day Veterans

While the Civil Affairs regiment was present on D-Day in WWII, the 358 CA BDE was not yet created however future members of the unit did set to work on that Day of Days.

The assault waves of the Seventh Army were surging up the bloody mined beaches of the Riviera coast, in the onset of Operation DRAGOON, when the first Civil Affairs officer to set foot on Southern France, crashlanded in a glider ten miles inland. Immediately, he started work on civilian problems.

I"t was 0900 on D-Day, August 15, 1944, when 1st Lieutenant Joseph Welsh, CAO of the 1st Airborne Task Force, pulled himself out of the remains of his glider, one mile northeast of Le Muy, a small city in the Department of Var. Reporting personally to Major General Robert T. Frederick, Commander of the unit, at his nearby CP, his marching orders to look after the civilians. The LT began visiting farm houses in the vicinity to determine conditions there."

Shortly after, most of the Civil Affairs officers assigned across the three American divisions which on the spearheaded were also on land, hurrying from town to town checking on political, supply and other key questions, while fighting to keep pace with the rapid advances of the Allied forces.

"VI Corps Headquarters landed soon after. Its Civil Affairs staff, headed by Major Campbell Dickson, chose a waterfront villa at Ste.-Maxime for an office, moved in and started work on the rigorous task of establishing communications with the Divisional CAO's. Members of the G-5 Section of the Seventh Army came ashore the next day. Led by Colonel Gerry, Assistant Chief of Staff for G-5, they proceeded under fire to the Army CP at Ste. Tropez. En route, Major Robert Bennett, finance specialist, helped capture a sniper."

The afternoon of D plus I was not old before the Civil Affairs machinery set up to handle the early combat phase problems was in full gear.

Ian Worthington a D Day Veteran who switched from Artillary to Military Government (latter called Civil Affairs) would continue his military service from the beaches of Normandy to 358 CA BDE. Worthington reflected on his contined service “I was very fortunate during my time in the active reserve because I served in two NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) trips to Europe.The 358th brigade is an-extraordinarily active outfit; they have people in Kosovo and in Europe right now.”

These units men and women serving in an effort to help are linked by the thread of the loom that weaves the narrative of their collective history.