The 16th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was originally approved on 25 April 1952 while the unit was still designated as the 16th Armored Engineer Battalion. Over the decades it has been revised three times (title correction, symbolism correction, and symbolism and description). Today, it is worn by personnel in the 16th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division based at Fort Bliss, Texas.
The red and white found throughout the insignia are colors of the Corps of Engineers, while the black horizontal stripe simulates a treadway bridge whose construction was a major combat mission for the Battalion. In addition to the Catamount reference, the black cat is a symbol of nighttime operations, while the star is from the flag of French Morocco where the unit began its World War II combat record—one in which the unit strove and continues to strive to be SEMPER ULTIMO (“Always On Top”).
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.
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.