196th Cavalry Regiment

Eyes of Hickory

By Armor 2025 Staff

Article published on: July 1, 2025 in the Armor Summer 2026 Issue

Read Time: < 1 min

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 196th Cavalry Regiment on 4 October 1965. Its yellow and green colors reflect the unit's constitution as a Cavalry organization (yellow) with units that have an Armor background (green).

The shield portion of the insignia is shaped like a pine cone, a reference to North Carolina; in the center of the pine cone is an upright artillery projectile superimposed over a crossed bayonet and, behind both of these objects, a green space. The spade represents Engineer units and the projectile Artillery, both found in the unit's lineage. "Eyes Of Hickory" is the unit motto, a reference to the Cavalry's role as a scouting and reconnaissance unit for the 30th "Old Hickory" Infantry Division.