U.S. Army Embroidered Tab: Airborne is an original tab manufactured in the U.S.A. in accordance with applicable U.S. Government specifications.

United States Army Tabs are patches displaying a word or words that are worn above the shoulder patch that identifies the unit to which the soldier belongs. These tabs are uniquely valued in the Army because images rather than words are traditionally used to identify a soldier's unit.

Only to identify an individual soldier's special skill an additional shoulder patch is worn that uses words rather than pictures to symbolize that skill. These tabs are also considered badges and have metal equivalents that are worn on the soldier's chest if their uniform does not have a place for shoulder patches (e.g. Army Service Uniform). Other tabs recognize a whole unit's special skill and are considered to be part of a specific unit's shoulder sleeve patch and are worn by a soldier only while they belong to that unit.

The U.S. Army Embroidered Tab: Airborne is such a patch and it is worn on the uniform directly above and touching the accompanying SSI.

The U.S. Army Embroidered Tab: Airborne is part of the SSI (shoulder sleeve insignia) for U.S. Airborne units. Airborne forces are usually light infantry set up to be moved by aircraft and dropped into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning.