The Army Acquistion Corps (AAC) was created by Army Chief of Staff Carl E. Vuono to provide systematic training to Officers, Enlisted personnel, and civilian staff in order to optimize the Army’s acquisition capabilities. A subset of the Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (AL&T) workforce, the AAC comprises close to 40,000 professionals, including Officers in the grades of Major or higher and Enlisted personnel at E-8 who are Level II Certified in Contracting and have a minimum of four years of experience.
The Army Acquisition Corps Regimental Distinctive Insignia, often referred to as a unit crest or a DUI, was authorized on 8 January 2008 for Soldiers in the Military Occupational Specialty 51C, which includes Contract Management for Officers and the positions of AL&T Contracting Noncommissioned Officer for Enlisted personnel. The dominant colors black and gold refer to solidarity and dependability (black) and excellence (gold). Laurel represents honor and outstanding achievement, while the swords connote protection as well as the provision of materials to warfighters. The regimental motto, “PACTUM EXCELLO,” is Latin for “Contracting Excellence” and concisely describes the ultimate goal of the Corps.
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Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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.
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.