Briscoe conducted firing trials in 1981–1982 in support of the SALGP Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine (Semi-Active Laser Guided Projectile) off the coast of Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Briscoe also participated as a member of Middle East Forces deploying twice to the North Red Sea conducting Maritime Interception Operations in support of U.N. sanctions against Iraq.

In her second North Red Sea deployment in March 1994, Briscoe responded to a distress call on 19 May 1994 from an Egyptian passenger ferry, the Al-Qamar Al-Saudi Al-Misri.

Standing boldly at the base of the shield is the Lion of St. Mark, which refers to the Admiral's leadership as Commander in Chief of Allied Southern Forces Europe.

This is reminiscent of the Northern Solomon Islands where Admiral Briscoe commanded the USS Denver in World War II several important engagements.

The trident, symbol of Triton, ruler of the seas, refers to the United States Naval Academy where the Admiral served as a student, instructor and department head.

The flash represents Prometheus' gift of science to mankind and alludes to Admiral Briscoe as one of the pioneers of modern electronics development in the Navy.