While the Regimental Distinctive Insignia (also called a DUI or a unit crest) of the 1st Field Artillery Regiment is emblazoned with the unit motto “PRIMUS AUT NULLUS,” Latin for “First Or Not At All,” the stand of grapeshot canisters in the middle of the shield recalls a saying even more closely associated with the Regiment. “A little more grape, Captain Bragg” are the legendary words attributed to General Zachary Taylor during the Battle of Buena Vista—but in reality Taylor had ordered Braxton Bragg to “double-shot your guns and give ‘em hell, Bragg.”
The 1st Field Artillery Regimental Distinctive Insignia was approved nearly 100 years ago in 1923, but the history of the Regiment’s sole active combat battalion, the 4th, goes back to the 18th century and organization of a unit with an unwieldy name: Captain Moses Porter's Company of Artillery of the 3rd Sublegion, Legion of the United States.
As of Spring 2023, the 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery is stationed at Fort Bliss, Kansas and is assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
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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."