The 500th Military Intelligence Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia—a device more commonly known as a unit crest or DUI—was originally approved 15 July 1970 for the 500th Military Intelligence Group. It would go onto be redesignated twice—for the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade on 16 October 1987 and for the 500th Military Intelligence Group precisely ten years later on16 October 1997—before being given its current (and former) designation on 21 September 2010.
Oriental blue, primary branch color of the Military Intelligence Corps, is used for the insignia’s backdrop. A taeguk, a circular disc in red and blue that is reminiscent of a yin-yang symbol, recalls the organization’s service in Korea, while the white behind it is from the Republic of China flag to commemorate service in Taiwan. A silhouette of a snow-capped Mount Fuji represents Japan, the country where the organization spent the majority of its time overseas, and a palm tree denotes service in the Philippines. The gold trunks of bamboo trees on the left and right symbolize service in the Republic of Vietnam, while a Siamese headdress at the bottom is for service in Thailand.
Reviewing the list of countries where the Brigade has labored—seven in all—and it’s easy to understand how the Brigade was given the official special designation, “PACIFIC VANGUARD.” Above all the images inspired by each nation is the unit motto SCIENTIA POTENTIA EST, Latin for “Knowledge Is Strength.”
G
uidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.