"Please help ID these designations." Topic

Picked up an army duffel from the resale shop a few weeks ago. It's similar to the surplus duffels I've gotten from family members in that it's the regular large style in OD with clip and Grommet opening at one end. However it differs in that it also has a pocket, backpack straps and some designations painted on it that I'm hoping you all can help me decipher

In two areas a rectangle of tan pant has been laid down. Over it various numerical designations have been added and a circle that is half black and half blue divided diagonally.

This is the markings on the bottome of the bag.

This is the marking on the side. Would be the back when worn as a backpack.

In case it helps, this is a picture of the bag laid out flat, showing the pocket and shoulder straps.

I don't think the markings are anything offensive, but I'd like to not be ignorant of what I've got on my back. Whatever they are, I think it's a nice find for 3 dollars!

Well, there's a 32nd "Red Arrow" Division insignia. That help?

Standard issue duffle bag from the early 1970s to well into the 1990 and probably longer. Markings not sure of but I believe it has to do with Unit ID, section and other marking to make sure all them get to the right marshaling area once pallets are broken down after transshipment.

VR
James Mattes

James is correct it is the 32nd Infantry Division since 1967 the 32nd Infantry Brigade. Post World War II this would have been a National Guard unit, I believe in Wisconsin but I could be wrong.I'm a bit surprised at the complexity of the markings. Most National Guard units would only go locally for their annual two weeks training. Unless this is from a more recent deployment to Iraq or Afganistan.

See this link:

link

In Basic Training in 1981, my company had to mark all our belongings with the initial of our last name, and the last four digits of our SSN (for example, B 0834).

I speculate that this unit may have done this locally to keep track of a couple hundred soldiers' duffel bags. No matter what unit, the bag has to be identified for the individual soldier.

Thanks for the info folks.

Now can I use it as is, or does custom dictate that I cross out some or all of the info as I've never served myself.

from my time in Duffels were painted for easy identification after travel – I had to repaint mine several times as I changed units – the 4 digits are the last 4 of the soldier's SSN & H is the first initial of the soldier's last name – the A is for Alpha Company – the 3-D is for 3d Platoon – the color circle is again for ease of sorting a bunch of bags by just the color code the Arrow may indicate the 32 Brigade but might have just been a symbol adopted by another unit – as for using the bag – most folks won't have the slightest clue what the markings mean & nobody will care – if it is 32d Infantry Brigade – they are indeed Wisconsin national guard and deployed to Iraq in 2004 and again in 2009

My seabag still has the stencils I put on it in Navy Boot Camp (13 years ago now). Never had to make a Sandbox trip, though, so mine is still a nice shade of green (and not bleached near-white by the sun!)

Well as far as stencils are concerned my first overseas deployment in 77 my duffle bag had my name and FULL SSN. I still have the bag and thinking about it I should mark it out.

VR
James Mattes

^^^I was just thinking the same thing. If memory serves, I remember putting my entire SSN on the bag.

In the USMC we had our full name, rank at time of issue and service number (pre 1970)on the bottom of the sea bag as we called them. No SSN until after 1970.