United States Army Institute of Heraldry

The Institute of Heraldry

Seal of The Institute of Heraldry
Agency overview
Formed	1 September 1960 (1960-09-01), at 5010 Duke Street, Cameron Station, Virginia
Preceding Agency	Heraldic Program Office
Jurisdiction	Federal Government
Headquarters	9325 Gunston Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 38°42′9″N 77°8′51″W / 38.70250°N 77.14750°W / 38.70250; -77.14750
Motto	"Aegis Fortissima Honos" (Latin) "Honor is the strongest shield"
Employees	22
Parent Agency	Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army
Website	tioh.army.mil

The Institute of Heraldry, officially The Institute of Heraldry, Department of the Army,^[1] is an activity of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army solely responsible for furnishing heraldic services to the President of the United States and all federal government agencies. Title 18 of the United States Code, Chapter 33, Section 704 and Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 507 permit the institute to issue directives on how military insignia are displayed, the criteria for issuance, and how insignia will be worn on military uniforms.

The activities of The Institute of Heraldry encompass research, design, development, standardization, quality control, and other services relating to official symbolic items—seals, decorations, medals, insignia, badges, flags, and other items awarded to or authorized for official wear or display by federal government personnel and agencies. Limited research and information services concerning official symbolic items are also provided to the general public. The Institute of Heraldry is located at 9325 Gunston Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, a military installation in the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. The institute employs 22 Department of the Army civilians.