Constituted in the Army of the United States on 22 February 1945, the 120th Adjutant General Battalion was activated on 15 March 1945 at Fort Shafter, Territory of Hawaii. Supporting operations in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, it was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service prior to its inactivation on 20 June 1947. The Battalion was reactivated on 20 May 1987 and organized at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Today, it is the largest Reception Battalion in the Army: it processes more than 45,000 Soldiers from all components of the Army who arrive for Initial Entry Training at the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson.
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The 120th Adjutant General Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), often referred to as a unit crest, was approved on 14 August 1987. Its combination of dark blue and scarlet colors reflect its affiliation with the Adjutant General’s Corps. A quill, flintlock, and powder horn symbolize the Battalion’s mission to transform recruits in efficient Soldiers, with the flintlock signifying military strength and the powder horn an allusion to reserve military strength. The quill pen is also a reference to learning, training, and precision.
Dark blue and scarlet are the colors traditionally associated with The Adjutant General's Corps. The unit's mission as a reception battalion is to transform the recruit into a functional, efficient soldier, and is symbolized by the quill, flintlock and powder horn. The flintlock also denotes military might while the powder horn indicates strength in reserve. The quill alludes to training, wisdom and precision. A Carolina blue border refers to the unit’s location in the state of South Carolina (although this might be disputed quite fervently by residents of North Carolina). “We Set The Example” emphasizes the importance of the Battalion’s work in dealing with raw, impressionable recruits as the first step in their transformation into Soldiers.
Distinctive Unit Insignias 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 (ASU, 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.