Also called a “unit crest” or DUI for short, the Distinctive Unit Insignia approved for the 786th Support Battalion is currently worn by personnel in the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, a unit in the Virgin Islands Army National Guard. This insignia has been authorized for several other organizations in the past, including the 666th Military Police Battalion, followed by the 786th Supply And Services Battalion and the 786th Quartermaster Battalion.
“Defend Support Protect,” the motto of the 786th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, reflects the Battalion’s origins as a Military Police unit. In the center of the insignia is a fasces, a shield-like bundle of rods bound around an axe with the axe blades protruding from the bundle) is a longtime heraldic symbol of authority and the mandate to uphold law and order and is frequently used for Military Police insignias. Similarly, the white star on the fasces is an emblem of authority, command, and order. Behind the fasces is a blue background with a white wavy bar that symbolize the location of the unit in the Virgin Islands: blue is for the ocean, the wavy bar for surf, and the golden trim denoting the golden rays of sunlight that bathe the region daily.
Today, the 786th CSSB is a part of Joint Task Force Bravo and, upon command, carries out sustainment support operations and executes command and control of military forces within the St. Thomas/St. John Area of Operations. It addition to its HQ and HQ Company, the Battalion consists of the 631st Engineers, 610th Water Support Company, and the 73rd Army Band.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 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.