Civil Recon Flag

A flag for 38Rs, by 38Rs. This was a design from the field, made into reality!

The description, from the artist:

CRNCO CREST

The CRNCO

As a civil reconnaissance sergeant on a special operations civil affairs team, you are the main navigator and the master of communication. As a CRNCO, your ability to do the basics and understand communication and navigation in complex environments can mean life or death of the team. Understanding not only civil reconnaissance, but all types of reconnaissance, and using that knowledge to equip and train the team, to move as one silent and effective reconnaissance unit. SOF forces must be ready to conduct unconventional warfare at any time in any environment. A CRNCO is 25% of a CA Team. Failure to uphold the standard can result in death in war. Masters of the basics, and practitioners for excellence, trained to understand, influence, and communicate to either build up a country for resilience or tear down a kingdom brick by brick. 

Lewis and Clark

The history of civil affairs has always been dated back to the Lewis and Clark expedition. civil affairs job is to go to a country and relay information about everything they see to their higher commands. Sensors that solely focus on the human domain and terrain of an operational environment. The man looking through the scope is representation back to the Lewis and Clark expedition back in 1804.

Blue and Gold leaflets

 Blue is symbolism for High quality, trustworthiness, and dependability and gold is symbolism for achievement as civil affairs continues to evolve from the beginning of what was considered civil reconnaissance back in 1804 to today. The leaflets also represent a flow of communication as the CRNCO has that responsibility.

Red downward arrowhead

Reconnaissance elements in the military use the red downward facing arrow as it was the symbol of a “recondo” in the Vietnam war. Long range reconnaissance patrols (LRRPS) received the emblem when passing the grueling recondo school taught by the 5th Special Forces in Vietnam until the schools closure in 1975. Since then, the arrow has been used by reconnaissance elements of modern day as a symbol of the arrowhead penetrating behind enemy lines. SOF Civil affairs, like other ARSOF units, are expected to conduct unconventional warfare in hostile and denied environments behind enemy lines if the situation ever requires it.  The CRNCO must be prepared to move and maneuver as a reconnaissance practitioner. 

The wolves

Universally around the world, dogs are known as guides in austere and rural environments. Wolves in particular live, move, and hunt in packs. Able to communicate through body language and understanding each other as well as their objective to maneuver. Wolves can be gentle creatures or can be deadly and aggressive if provoked. SOF civil affairs move similarly to wolves… in a pack. As a CRNCO, they must be able to navigate and guide their pack in any environment as well as protect their team. 

 Gold roses

Gold roses have been known to symbolize luxury and longevity. Luxury as it’s a privilege to be part of a small specialized team that can do operations to the depth that they do and have the strategic effects that they cause. Longevity as the SOF civil affairs regiment is only 5% of the civil affairs branch and continues to evolve, adapt, and overcome. Constantly preparing for the next war or enemy that threatens the country.