The global nature of the 1st Space Brigade’s mission is symbolized on its unit crest—technically called a Distinctive Unit Insignia or DUI—by a demi-globe orbited by a pheon (heraldic term for an arrowhead-shaped charge), reflecting the unit’s ability to control space missions that can affect warfighter operations anywhere in the world.
An American Bald Eagle with outstretched wings perched atop the demi-globe emphasizes the responsibilities of vigilance and watchfulness in the defense of freedom, while the polestar above it is an emblem for Army satellites used for navigation and geospatial applications, Six stars in the red circular band represent the Space and Missile Defense Command’s leadership, the fusion of space operations, missile defense, research, development, and strategic global reach.
The insignia was approved on 31 January 2006.
Headquartered in Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, U.S. Army Space and Missile Command was established in 1997, with the activation of 1st Space Brigade coming a half-dozen years later. In 2019, the Brigade relocated from Peterson Air Force Base to its current home at Fort Carson in Colorado. As of Winter 2024, the 1st Space Brigade comprises two units from the Active Component of the U.S. Army, 1st Space Battalion (Fort Carson) and the 2nd Space Battalion (Colorado Springs), as well as the 117th Space Battalion, a Colorado Army National Guard unit with units dispersed throughout Colorado and the United States.♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Also known as unit crests, Distinctive Unit Insignias (DUIs) are 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 (Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
For Enlisted personnel, the insignia is centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.
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 Items
1st Space Brigade Patch (SSI)