The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 1st Cavalry Division features a black, leftward-slanting diagonal stripe (known in heraldry as a "bend") on a background of yellow, the traditional cavalry color. Unlike the division's CSIB, the bend features two five-pointed stars. A horse's head is emblematic of the division's original mounts, while the black coloration symbolizes iron and represents the transition to tanks and armored vehicles. Absent from the Unit Crest is the division's nickname and motto, "First Team."
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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 (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.
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.
Related Items 1st Cavalry Division Patch (SSI) 1st Cavalry Division Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)