Constituted on 10 January 1942 and activated in the Army of the United States in April, the 709th Military Police Battalion has been redesignated and reorganized only once in its nearly eight decades of existence: it was the 709th Military Police Service Battalion from June 1945 until September 1951. Its combat awards include a Valorous Unit Award for service in Iraq (2003-2004) and two Meritorious Unit Commendations (Iraq 2005-2006, Afghanistan 2009-2010), and it also is the recipient of two peacetime honors, a pair of Army Superior Unit Awards (1995-1996 and 2016-2017).
As of Autumn 2023, the 709th Military Police Battalion is headquartered in Grafenwoehr, Germany as part of the 18th Military Police Brigade. The Battalion is responsible for law enforcement and force protection throughout six communities while also training for future operations in support of U.S. Army Europe and the 21st Theater Sustainment Command.
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The 709th Military Police Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also called a unit crest or DUI, was originally approved on 28 April 1952. Its green and yellow colors denote the unit’s status as a Military Police unit. In its center is an oceangoing galley with a fleur-de-lis on its sail. Alone, the fleur-de-lis stands for service in Northern France, and the galley recalls the unit’s early assignment escorting prisoners from North Africa; the two waves stand for two such escort trips. Together, the fleur-de-lis and galley denote service in the area around Paris. “SECURITAS COPIARUM,” the Battalion’s motto, is Latin for “Guardians Of The Troops.”Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. 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.