U.S. ARMY 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION UNIT CREST (DUI), 1990-1998

This is the 82nd Airborne Division Distinctive Unit Insignia that was authorized for wear between 31 July 1990 and 21 May 1998. In a unique move, the insignia design was identical to that of the 82nd Airborne Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) and featured an AIRBORNE tab, something usually not seen on a DUI regardless of the unit type. Also unique is the manner in which the SSI, instantly identifiable because its use of a pair of mirrored letters “A,” was selected and approved. Organized at Camp Gordon, Georgia in August 1917, the Division was commanded by General Eben Swift, who oversaw a contest that was set up to allow the citizens of Atlanta to submit nicknames for the unit. Swift chose “All American” because the unit had the distinction of containing Soldiers from 48 states, and the insignia was designed to incorporate the initials of the new nickname.

It is unclear why the decision was made to replace the previous DUI with a copy of the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia or why the move was rescinded just eight years later.

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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.

Enlisted personnel wear the insignia 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.