The Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, that is worn by Arkansas Army National Guard (ARNG) personnel serving at the state’s National Guard Joint Force Headquarters (HQ) was originally approved back in 1971 for the Arkansas ARNG’s HQ and HQ Detachment and noncolor-bearing units. In December 1983, the insignia was redesignated for the HQ, State Area Command, Arkansas ARNG, a designation it retained for nearly three full decades. On 1 October 2003, the insignia was given its current designation—Arkansas Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters—and concurrently amended to update the description (blazon).
While many of the elements of the insignia are borrowed from the Arkansas State Seal and the State Flag, they are not instantly recognized as being adapted from those governmental emblems. A golden laurel wreath, for example, encompasses almost the entire insignia here, while the laurel wreath on the State Seal is green quite diminutive. The blue diamond shape, on the other hand, is obviously taken from the state flag—but it might take a second to spot because it is obscured by the upright spear, which is a symbol of vigilance and preparedness embodied by the Arkansas ARNG. Four stars on the spearhead are clearly taken from the flag, where they appear on a field of white with the state name between the three lower stars and the single one above them. “Arkansas First” is the organization’s motto.
Joint Force Headquarters, Arkansas National Guard is based at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
More guidance 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. Related ItemsArkansas ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ Patch (SSI)