The 147th Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the Ohio National Guard’s 147th Infantry Regiment on 25 June 1926. It was redesignated for the 14th Armor Regiment, Ohio Army National Guard on 1 September 1994, and was subsequently redesignated for the 147th Regiment on 20 July 2007. Its blue shield recalls the organization’s origins as an Infantry unit. The bend (diagonal band) with alerions is taken from the arms of Lorraine and alludes to the unit’s World War I service in Lorraine during the Meuse-Argonne campaign, while the lion rampant in the upper right is a reference to service in Belgium, also during the First World War. The unit motto, CARGONEEK GUYOXIM, is a Chippewa Indian phrase that translates into English as “Always Ready.”
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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
Full 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.
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Originally organized in the Ohio Militia as the Guthrie Greys in April 1854, today’s 147th Regiment was allotted to the Infantry branch of the Ohio National Guard/Army National Guard for the next 140 years. Prior to World War I, it was mustered into Federal service as the 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry to serve occupation duty in Cuba in 1898-1899; they would be redesignated as the 1st Infantry Regiment, Ohio National Guard when mustered again in 1916 for service along the Mexican border as part of the Mexican Expedition (also called the “Punitive Expedition”).
After being drafted into Federal service following the U.S. entry in World War I, the 147th Infantry was created through the consolidation of the 1st. 5th, and 6th Infantry Regiments in the Ohio National Guard. The Regiment would go on to fight in two World War I campaigns (symbolized on the unit crest—see above) while assigned to the 74th Infantry Brigade, 37th Division. In World War II, the Regiment was originally assigned once again to the 37th Division (now 37th Infantry Division), but was relieved from that assignment and was deployed to the Pacific theater as a “standalone” Regiment, frequently fighting alongside Marines in battles such as Guadalcanal, Tinian, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
The end of World War II also marked the last combat deployment for the Regiment, which was reorganized as the 147th Infantry in the Combat Arks Regimental system in 1959. In 1968, its affiliation with the 37th Infantry Division temporarily ended as it was reorganized to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 38th Infantry Division; in subsequent reorganizations while still serving as an Infantry unit, the 1st Battalion would become an element of the 73rd Infantry Brigade (later designated as the 37th Infantry Brigade) and the 28th Infantry Division.
It was converted and redesignated on 1 January 1994 as the 147th Armor Regiment (consisting of the 1st Battalion), but was still an element of the 28th Infantry; in September of that year it was reorganized/reunited as an element of the 38th Infantry Division. Its service as a combat unit came to an end in 2005 when it was redesignated the 147th Regiment and placed in charge of the Ohio Army National Guard’s Regional Training Institute (RTI).
The 147th RTI provides institutional training for Career Management Fields (MOS categories) and manages the Noncommissioned Officers Education System, an Officer Candidate School, and Warrant Officer Candidate School. The 147th RTI is located in Columbus, Ohio.