The 15th Finance Battalion was originally created as the 15th Finance Company in the Regular Army and activated on 15 March 1871 in Texas at Fort Hood (renamed Fort Cavazos in May 2023). It was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division from that time until it was relieved from assignment in March 1982. It was redesignated as the 15th Finance Support Unit in April 1987, as the 15th Finance Battalion in October 1992, and as the 15th Finance Company in 2008. It became the 15th Financial Management Support Unit on 16 October 2011. That organization was inactivated over a decade later, but on 17 August 2022, the reactivation of its forebear the 16th Finance Battalion was celebrated in a ceremony held on Cooper Field at Fort Cavazos.
Deployed in 1990 in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as the 15th Finance Support Unit, the unit was credited with participation in all three campaigns that comprise the Southwest Asia Conflict. While its campaign participation credits for War on Terrorism have not yet been determined, the 15th Financial Management Support Unit was recognized for its superior performance during 2004 -2005 with a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
The 15th Finance Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) features the unit motto “Swift Support, First To Pay” (surely one of the most popular unit mottos in the Army) and the coat of arms of the United States inside a five-pointed star; the coat of arms suggests the faith and credit of the U.S. government, while the star indicates the organization exercises command authority.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, the 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."