309th Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)

309th Military Intelligence Battalion, 1990-present 309th Army Security Agency Battalion, 1956-1986 309th Communication Reconnaissance Bn., 1952-1956
309th Military Intelligence Battalion distinctive unit insignia
Active	1990-present (active) 1952-1959 & 1962-1986 (reserve)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army, 1990-present United States Army Reserve, 1952-1986
Type	Military Intelligence
Role	training, 1990-present electronic warfare, 1952-1986
Garrison/HQ	Fort Huachuca, Arizona 1990-present Patton USAR Center, Bell, CA 1962-1986 Los Angeles, California 1952-1959
Motto(s)	"Sentinels of Security"
Engagements	none
Decorations	none
Battle honours	none
Insignia
309th MI Bn coat of arms 1990-
309th ASA Bn coat of arms 1959-1986

History

309th Communication Reconnaissance Battalion

The battalion was constituted 19 September 1952 in the United States Army Reserve as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 309th Communication Reconnaissance Battalion, and activated 1 November 1952 at Los Angeles, California. It was reorganized and redesignated 25 January 1956 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 309th Communication Reconnaissance Battalion. The organic companies were constituted 29 December 1955 - 4 March 1956, and activated 1 February - 5 March 1956.

309th Army Security Agency Battalion

On 1 October 1956, the battalion was redesignated as the 309th Army Security Agency Battalion. It inactivated 15 July 1959 at Los Angeles, California, but was reactivated 15 September 1962 with headquarters at Patton United States Army Reserve Center, Bell, California. Companies A, B, C, and D reorganized and were redesignated 15 August 1966 as the 518th, 519th, 520th, and 521st Army Security Agency Companies; the companies each had separate lineages thereafter.

The 309th ASA Battalion and its subordinate ASA companies inactivated 15 July 1986 at Bell, California. The 309th's inactivation was essentially simultaneous with the activation of the 140th Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI) (HD); the personnel and facilities of the 309th were initially transferred to the 140th at that time, although the lineage and insignia were not. Nine years later, the 140th would be similarly inactivated essentially simultaneously with the activation of the 368th Military Intelligence Battalion, to whom the personnel and facilities were transferred without the lineage and insignia.

309th Military Intelligence Battalion

The battalion was redesignated 1 February 1990 as the 309th Military Intelligence Battalion, and was concurrently withdrawn from the Army Reserve and allotted to the Regular Army. The battalion transferred 17 August 1990 to the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and activated at Fort Huachuca, Arizona as an element of the United States Army Intelligence Center's 111th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Current Mission

The 309th Military Intelligence Battalion conducts Initial Entry, Collective, and Functional Training to produce competent, disciplined, and physically fit MI Warriors, instilled with the Army Values ready to join the Army at War.

• Company A (nicknamed "Panthers") support and train counterintelligence and human intelligence students in the Source Operations Course (SOC) and Counterintelligence Special Agent Course (CISAC). In addition, the company provide administrative and logistical support staff to the battalion.

• Company E (nicknamed "Eagles") support and train human intelligence students in the Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M) Course.

• Company F (nicknamed "Phantoms") support and train human intelligence students in the Human Intelligence Collector (MOS 35M) Course.

Insignia

Distinctive Unit Insignia:

• Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 5/32 inches (2.94 cm) in height overall, consisting of a shield blazoned as follows: Argent, on a pale emitting in saltire four lightning flashes Azure (Teal Blue) a key bit to dexter in base, the bow a bear’s head, Or. Attached above the shield is a Gold triparted scroll inscribed “Sentinels of Security” in black letters.

• Symbolism: Teal blue and silver refer to the colors formerly used for the U.S. Army Security Agency. The key symbolizes the unit’s mission which is providing security. The golden bear’s head on the key represents California where the unit activated. The lightning flashes, symbolizing electricity, relate to the importance of electronic communications as part of the unit’s functions.

• Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 309th Army Security Agency Battalion, Army Reserve on 12 February 1959. It was assigned for use by the 325th U.S. Army Security Agency Battalion on 5 August 1959. It was reassigned for the 309th U.S. Army Security Agency Battalion on 2 August 1965. The insignia was redesignated for the 309th Military Intelligence Battalion on 2 May 1990.

Coat of Arms:

• Shield: Argent, on a pale emitting in saltire four lightning flashes Azure (Teal Blue) a key ward to dexter in base, the bow a bear’s head, Or.

• Crest:
  • 1990-present: None.
  • 1959-1986: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: On a wreath of the colours, argent and azure, the Lexington Minuteman proper. The statue of the Minuteman, Capt. John Parker (Henry Hudson Kitson, sculptor), stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts.

• Motto: “Sentinels of Security”.

• Symbolism: Teal blue and white were the colors used for the U.S. Army Security Agency, the original designation of the organization. The key symbolizes the unit’s mission—the guarding of security—and the golden bear’s head on the key represents the State of California, where the unit was activated. The lightning flashes, symbolic of electricity, relate to the importance of electronic communications as part of the unit’s functions.

• Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 309th Army Security Agency Battalion, Army Reserve, on 12 February 1959. It was assigned for use by the 325th U.S. Army Security Agency Battalion, Army Reserve on 5 August 1959. It was reassigned for use by the 309th U.S. Army Security Agency Battalion on 2 August 1965. It was cancelled on 6 June 1975. The coat of arms was reinstated and redesignated for the 309th Military Intelligence Battalion on 10 October 1995.