Transatlantic JAGs

 
Joseph McMillan
 
Avatar
 
 
Joseph McMillan
Total Posts:  7658
Joined  08-06-2004
 
 
 
26 March 2007 09:03
 

The new newsletter of the English College of Arms depicts the newly granted badge of the joint services Judge Advocate General:

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Newsletter/012-04.jpg

 

It’s hard to imagine a less inspired design.  Without looking closely, it could be joint services anything, and it’s in exactly the kind of lucky charms style (one symbol for the navy, one for the army, and one for the air force) that we make fun of in assumed personal arms.  The crossed maces at the bottom are a nice symbol for a legal office—wouldn’t it have been more interesting if the roundel had been tierced of the same three colors with a mace palewise Or, or even two in saltire?  Then joint services would have been conveyed by the tinctures and the legal role of the office would have been more front and center.  As it is, it is so obscure that it’s not surprising that the English heralds felt obliged to label it (with an abbreviation, not even the full title!) on the scroll.

 

I wouldn’t have thought the American service JAGs’ insignia especially thrilling, but they all do better than this.

 

US Army Judge Advocate General’s Regiment:

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Branches/Image5857.gif

 

Air Force Legal Services Agency:

http://www.au.af.mil/au/afhra/rso/images/foa_images/aflsa.jpg

 

Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps:

http://www.jag.navy.mil/assets/images/SEAL.GIF

 
David Pritchard
 
Avatar
 
 
David Pritchard
Total Posts:  2058
Joined  26-01-2007
 
 
 
26 March 2007 12:53
 

Unless you were told beforehand, one would never guess from sight that this is the badge of the UK Judge Advocate General but rather some joint service task force.

The badge of the USAF is the most recognisable of the US services with the inclusion of the scales of justice. That of the USN is most effective with its inscription that leaves no doubt whatsoever to the viewer. The USA badge is a bit allusive, maybe it is the badge of the combat scribes rather than the JAG.

 
Joseph McMillan
 
Avatar
 
 
Joseph McMillan
Total Posts:  7658
Joined  08-06-2004
 
 
 
26 March 2007 13:45
 

The USN one is a little obscure, but quite allusive, if you think about it.  The central charge is a mill-rind, which is explained on the Navy JAG website as follows:


Quote:

In ancient France, the fer de moline, or mill rinde, was a symbol of equal justice for all under the law. ...  In the milling of grains, the mill rinde was used to keep the stone grinding wheels an equal distance apart to provide consistency in the milling process. It, thus, symbolizes that the wheels of justice must grind exceedingly fine and exceptionally even. In the sixteenth century, this symbol was adopted in England as a symbol for lawyers.


I agree that the Army insignia could be misinterpreted by those who don’t already know what it represents.  On the other hand, it at least says more than just "army," which would be the equivalent of the British message that says mainly "joint services."

 
David Pritchard
 
Avatar
 
 
David Pritchard
Total Posts:  2058
Joined  26-01-2007
 
 
 
26 March 2007 14:38
 

Joseph McMillan;42714 wrote:

The USN one is a little obscure, but quite allusive, if you think about it.  The central charge is a mill-rind, which is explained on the Navy JAG website


I thought that the mill rind represented the holding of the service in place by laws and regulations.

 
Marcus K
 
Avatar
 
 
Marcus K
Total Posts:  3368
Joined  06-05-2005
 
 
 
27 March 2007 15:50
 

Joseph McMillan;42696 wrote:

The new newsletter of the English College of Arms depicts the newly granted badge of the joint services Judge Advocate General:

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Newsletter/012-04.jpg

 

It’s hard to imagine a less inspired design.  Without looking closely, it could be joint services anything, and it’s in exactly the kind of lucky charms style (one symbol for the navy, one for the army, and one for the air force) that we make fun of in assumed personal arms.  The crossed maces at the bottom are a nice symbol for a legal office—wouldn’t it have been more interesting if the roundel had been tierced of the same three colors with a mace palewise Or, or even two in saltire?  Then joint services would have been conveyed by the tinctures and the legal role of the office would have been more front and center.  As it is, it is so obscure that it’s not surprising that the English heralds felt obliged to label it (with an abbreviation, not even the full title!) on the scroll.


I would even be so bold to put three maces one in pale and two in saltire and thus get the tri-service symbolism. Of cause the other symbols then could be left out.