U.S. ARMY 278TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT UNIT CREST (DUI)

The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved on 31 August 1979. Two lightning flashes at the top of the insignia are joined to form the shape of a chevron, an image long associated with support and strength in heraldry, but in this case they also symbolize the speed, accuracy, readiness, and offensive punch of armored cavalry. Three white stars are taken from the state flag of Tennessee, the Regiment’s home state, while the Y-shaped figure (a “pairle” in heraldry) invokes the convergence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers to form the Tennessee River.

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.

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The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment was constituted in the Tennessee Army National Guard on 29 April 1977 and organized just two days later in eastern Tennessee from existing units with its Headquarters based in Knoxville, which explains why the Regiment’s Campaign participation credits include action in World War I and World War II. The unit motto, “I Volunteer, Sir,” is a reference to a call for troops in 1846 to take part in the Mexican-American War; so many volunteered that a lottery was held, with only the winners allowed to join the expedition and Tennessee subsequently earning the nickname “The Volunteer State.”

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment or components of the Regiment earned several honors, including the Army Superior Unit Award (Detachment, Troop T), the Valorous Unit Award (Troop N), and the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Headquarters and Headquarters Troop). In the summer of 2018, some elements of the Regiment deployed to assist Ukrainian Armed Forces in the development of a Combat Training Center as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.

Related Items
278th Armored Cavalry Regiment Patch (SSI)
278th Armored Cavalry Regiment Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)

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U.S. ARMY 278TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT UNIT CREST (DUI)