DESCRIPTION:

A gold colored metal and enamel device 1-3/16th inches in height, consisting of a black and gold stylized semi-truck tire with brick red hub, issuing from an irregular white pentagon, one point down blue, the top side embattled of five merlons, bearing two brick red horizontal bars above and between an arcing brick red scroll inscribed "EX MERO MOTU" in gold letters. The motto is translated as "Of their own accord".

SYMBOLISM:

Brick red and golden yellow are colors traditionally associated with the Transportation Corps, the branch of service of the organization formerly designated as the 248th Transportation Battalion. The wall with five merlons, the bars and blue area all allude to the unit's parent organization, the First Coast Defense Command (Washington National Guard), that occupied the five forts within the Coast Defenses of Puget Sound during World War I. The five merlons represent the five forts; the blue symbolizes the Puget Sound area; the red bars are adapted from the coat of arms of George Washington, representing the unit's headquarters in Washington State; and the stylized truck wheel refers to the predecessor unit's mission to provide all types of motor transportation.