ITALIAN REPUBLIC

CURRENT ARMY RANK FLAGS

The color prescribed for regiments and battalions of the Italian Army is a square silk version of the national tricolor. This color is the same for all units, with no inscriptions or battle honors permitted. For infantry, artillery and engineers the color's dimensions are 120cm x 120cm; for cavalry and armored units its dimensions are 40cm x 40cm. The color is carried on a staff covered with blue cloth; the finial is a hollow gilt spear point enclosing the arms of the Italian Republic. Cords and tassels are silver. Also attached to the staff is a plain blue cravat with silver fringe; on this may be pinned any decorations to which the unit is entitled. Current Italian Army rank flags are similar to those used up to 1946 by the Kingdom of Italy. The highest substantive commissioned rank is General of Army Corps (Generale di Corpo d'Armata), whose flag bears three stars. An officer of this rank appointed as Chief of Staff of the Army or Undersecretary of Defense is titled General of Army Corps with Special Appointment (Generale di Corpo d'Armata con Incarichi Speciali) and is entitled to display a flag with four stars within a frame. If appointed as Chief of the Defense Staff, an officer of this rank bears the title General (Generale) and displays a dark blue flag with four white stars within a double frame. This flag is used by the CoDS regardless of branch of service. Flag Proportions: Italian Army rank flags are made in 2:3 proportions. The regimental/battalion color is square. Image Added May 2017 Color for Regiments & Battalions

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