Originally organized as the 211th Infantry, today’s 211th Regiment operates and maintains the Florida Army National Guard’s Regional Training Institute. It provides training in Combat Arms, Leadership, and several Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and Additional Skill Identifiers, as well as Noncom-missioned Officer Education System programs and General Studies Training for students from all three components of the Army (Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard) drawn from across the nation.
The Infantry origins of the organization are reflected in the blue and white of the 211th Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI or unit crest); white was the Infantry color from the time of the Revolutionary War until 1851 and again from 1886 to 1902, while blue is the current color and was also used for over three decades starting in 1851. Blue and white also evoke images of the beaches of Florida, the unit’s home location, along with a key symbolizing Miami and the Florida Keys, its green color recalling the lush tropical vegetation of the region. But it also links back to the Infantry mission, evoking the maxim that Infantry is the branch in combat that “opens the way.” PARONERI,” the unit motto, translates as “Equal To The Task.”
Originally approved on 11 February 1952 for the 211th Infantry Regiment, the insignia was amended a few months later to add the crest with the alligator. It was redesignated for the 211th Regiment, along with revised description and symbolism, on 21 May 1997.
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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 (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.
More 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.