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.
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The 27th Infantry Regiment’s Regimental Distinctive Insignia features the Latin phrase NEC ASPERA TERRENT, a Latin phrase that has been traditionally translated as “Difficulties Be Damned,” but which has also been rendered as “Frightened By No Difficulties,” “They Don’t Fear Hardship,” and “No Fear On Earth.” But while the precise meaning might be hard to nail down, what isn’t as murky is the outstanding record of courage and commitment displayed by the Regiment’s Soldiers ever since its original two Battalions were formed in 1901.
In addition to credit for participation in dozens of campaigns beginning with the Philippine Insurrection and continuing all the way to the War on Terrorism, the Regiment or elements of it has been awarded an astonishing five Valorous Unit Awards, four Presidential Unit Citations, four Meritorious Unit Commendations, three Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations, two Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Crosses of Gallantry with Palm and an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal First Class, and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. Currently (2018), both the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 27th Infantry Regiment are assigned to Brigade Combat Teams of the 25th Infantry Division.
Besides the hard-to-translate motto, the 27th Infantry Regiment’s Regimental Distinctive Insignia (some refer to it as a unit crest) features the profile of a wolfhound. It was inspired by the Regiment’s combat action when it served in the American Expeditionary Force sent to Siberia in 1918 to aid the White Russians in their attempts to overthrow the recently installed Bolshevik government. Although the U.S. forces in Russia ultimately failed in their efforts, their Bolshevik counterparts were so impressed with the unrelenting pursuit methods of the 27th that they dubbed its Soldiers “Wolfhounds,” which is now officially recognized as a Special Designation for the unit.