Draft:358th Civil Affiars Brigade

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358TH CIVIL AFFAIRS BRIGADE

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.

Reorganized and re-designated 1 June 1975 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 358th Civil Affairs Brigade (358 CA BDE)

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

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 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. Joint and Army doctrine defines civil affairs as designated active component and reserve component forces and units organized, trained, and equipped specifically to conduct civil affairs operations and to support civil-military operations, which support broader U.S. inter-agency stabilization efforts. CA is the Defense Department’s primary force specifically trained and educated to understand, engage, and influence the civil component of the operational environment, conduct military government operations, and provide civil considerations expertise.

Far more than a force multiplier, CA is a national strategic land power capability to consolidate military and security gains into political and civil outcomes – before and during as well as after decisive military action. Beyond its more storied role in transition management, from war to peace and from military to civilian lead, it engages partners and others in the human geography in support of national interests and policy objectives in all operations, phases, and levels.

In irregular conflicts of influence and great power competition, CA has great importance as an economy-of-force capability that helps commanders preserve their combat power and concentrate its lethality only when and where necessary—and make good on the blood and treasure they may have to employ on the nation’s behalf.

Civil affairs are an integral part of winning and not just fighting wars, or to “secure the victory,” the Regiment’s motto.

Civil Affairs History

File:Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CA History Handbook Page 1.png

The first Civil Affairs units in the U.S. Army were formed during World War II. Additional units saw service in subsequent conflicts. Civil Affairs/Military Government was established as an Army Reserve Branch on 17 August 1955. Subsequently, redesignated 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 expansion of Civil Affairs in the Regular Army led to 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. Unlike other Army units, Civil Affairs soldiers are trained to deploy in small teams and work with a partner — whether government, military or a civilian agency — to make improvements within a host nation in areas that could include education or infrastructure. Civil Affairs units have continued their service through missions in the Korean conflict, Vietnam, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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

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

U.S. ARMY CIVIL AFFAIRS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS COMMAND

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 one 358th CA BDE D-Day Veteran

Alan Worthington D-Day Veteran, snapped to attention when the color guard moved front and center during A ceremony to honor D-Day.

“I was very moved by the ceremony, because landing on that beach was one of the finer moments of my life,” Worthington said. “I was truly surprised at the attendance today. Originally it had been set up to be held at the VFW in Conshohocken.”

The Plymouth Meeting resident was all of 17 years old when he was assigned to the first wave to hit Normandy in June 1944 with the 66th artillery brigade.

Switching from artillery duty to civil affairs in military government, Worthington was ultimately assigned to the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade in Norristown.

“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 (2001).”

The post-World War II years were a tough time for the reserves, Worthington remarked.

“The army went down in size from something like 6 million people to less than a million in just a year. It was unbelievable what happened in the military. And actually, the active reserve was all this country had, aside from the military, which had really been going down until Vietnam started.”

At his wife Ruth’s insistence the family visited the German Alps for two weeks “She said, ‘You’ve been to Europe twice at the government’s expense, so it’s time to take your family over’ – he took his family, including his elderly mother and three young daughters, to revisit the places of his youthful combat.