In the 9th Psychological Operations Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, the colors white, gray, and black allude to the three types of propaganda used in the Battalion's mission. White stands for true information with an acknowledged and documented source; gray is not acknowledged but its origin is not hidden, and it and may or may not be truthful; black propaganda is never acknowledged, may appear to come from sources other than those stated, and is rarely true.
The large triangle in the center stands for support operations, and not coincidentally is the Pythagorean symbol for wisdom. Triangles within triangles are an allusion to the complexity of the mind and man's faculties and recall the unit motto, “Win The Mind, Win The Day.” Gold billets and gold flashes are symbols of leaflets and audio/video media and refer to the unit's propaganda delivery methods and its origins as a Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company. The Battalion's activation in the Panama Canal Zone is represented by the gold area of the red disc behind the triangle; it simulates the Isthmus of Panama and recalls the historic Panama Canal Department unit patch. The unit's numerical designation is symbolized by the three triangles.
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.
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Originally constituted and activated as the 9th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company in 1952, the unit did not receive its current designation until 1967; designations it held between those two dates include 9th Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company and 9th Psychological Warfare Company. The Battalion was honored with a Meritorious Unit Commendation and took part in two campaigns in the Southwest Asia conflict (First Gulf War), and in the War on Terrorism it has earned campaign participation four times for deployments in Iraq (two of its companies are entitled to other campaign credits).