U.S. ARMY 215TH BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)

Commonly called a unit crest or DUI for short, the 215th Brigade Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a DUI or a unit crest, was originally approved on 14 April 1992 while the unit was still designated as the 215th Support Battalion (Forward), or 215th Forward Support Battalion. Gold/buff and scarlet tones used in the insignia denote its designation as a Support unit, with the scarlet chevron is a longstanding heraldic symbol of support; the lighting bolt charged on the chevron emphasizes the Battalion’s mission of support to forward units. An anvil, hammer, and tongs are a visual reference to the Battalion’s nickname of “Blacksmiths.” “No Task Too Tough,” the Battalion motto, is inscribed in gold letters on a scroll of black, the color of solidarity and dependability.

Today’s 215th Brigade Support Battalion was originally constituted in the Regular Army as the 215th Support Battalion on 30 June 1971 and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. Activated in Vietnam, the Battalion took pat in four campaigns of the Vietnam conflict before returning to the U.S. for inactivation in June 1972, earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Nearly twenty years elapsed before the unit was reactivated on 16 December 1991 at Fort Hood and assigned again to the 1st Cavalry Division. Deployed to Southwest Asia in 2001, the Battalion would earn two more Meritorious Unit Commendations before being relieved from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division and redesignated as the 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in October 2005.

Between 2006 and 2009, the Battalion would earn another pair of Meritorious Unit Commendations and bring its total number of War on Terrorism campaigns to five (with some campaign credits yet to be determined). For its service in 2011, the Battalion as a whole would be awarded yet another Meritorious Unit Commendation, and between 2004 and 2011 several of the Battalion’s Companies would be awarded additional individual military decorations.

As of Summer 2020, the 215th Brigade Support Battalion was still an organic component of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division with its headquarters at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas.