10 Psychological Operations
Battalion
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Unit
Insignia
- Description: A
gold color metal and enamel insignia 1 3/16 inches
(3.02cm) in height consisting of a disc equally divided
by three radiating partition lines, the upper line
vertical, white, gray and black, the disc beneath a gold
scroll inscribed "Potestas Persuasionis" in
black letters and above a gold wreath of ten laurel
leaves, the top leaves surmounting the scroll; overall a
gold equilateral triangle with concave sides and one
point up bearing three red tongues of flame conjoined at
the center and radiating toward each angle of the
triangle.
- Symbolism: The
flame stands for light and wisdom; its three tongues
point toward the three areas of propaganda with which
the Battalion works. These areas are represented by the
white, gray and black portions of the disc. The white
color stands for acknowledged, true propaganda, the gray
for propaganda emanating from a source not identified,
and the black for propaganda from a source other than
the truth. In addition, the flame, a symbol of unceasing
activity and of good will, alludes to the continuous
efforts of the organization to win hearts as well as
minds by persuasion and truth. The triangle is a version
of the Greek letter delta; it stands for the Mekong
Delta where the 10th Psychological Operations Battalion
was activated and served during the Vietnam conflict.
The triangle is also a symbol of the psychological
operations technique, i.e., the introduction of the
first small point of an idea (represented by the apex),
and its subsequent enlargement and widening (represented
by the base). The colors gold and red are taken from the
national flag of the Republic of Vietnam. They stand for
excellence and courage and refer to Vietnam and to the
Battalion’s activation and service in that country.
The wreath of laurel leaves refers to victory achieved
by persuasion. The leaves are ten in number in allusion
to the Battalion’s numerical designation.
- Background: The
distinctive unit insignia was authorized on 25 Nov 1968.
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Coat
of Arms
- Description:
Shield: Vert, above a wreath of ten laurel leaves, a
roundel tierced in pairle reversed Argent, Gray and
Sable fimbriated Or superimposed by a triangle with
concave sides of the last charged with three tongues of
flame conjoined Gules. Crest: That for the regiments and
separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath
Or and Vert, the Lexington Minute Man Proper. Motto:
POTESTAS PERSUASIONIS (Power of Persuasion).
- Symbolism:
Bottle green and silver gray are the colors associated
with Psychological Operations. The flame is for light
and wisdom; its three tongues point toward the three
areas of propaganda with which the battalion works. The
white color stands for acknowledgement, true propaganda;
the gray for propaganda emanating from a source not
identified; and the black for propaganda from a source
other than the truth. In addition, the flame, a symbol
of unceasing activity and of good will, alludes to the
continuous efforts of the organization to win hearts as
well as minds by persuasion and truth. The triangle is a
version of the Greek letter "delta"; it refers
to the Mekong Delta where the unit was activated and
served during the Vietnam conflict. The triangle is also
a symbol of a psychological operations technique, i.e.,
the introduction of the first small point of an idea
(represented by the apex), and its subsequent
enlargement and widening (represented by the base). The
colors gold and red are taken from the national flag of
the Republic of Vietnam. They highlight courage and
excellence and refer, again, to the battalion’s
activation and service in Vietnam. The wreath of laurel
leaves symbolizes victory achieved by persuasion. The
leaves are ten in number in allusion to the battalion’s
numerical designation.
- Background: The
coat of arms was authorized on 16 Apr 1996.
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