This Distinctive Unit Insignia has been authorized for wear by all personnel assigned to the U.S. Army Engineer Center and Fort Leonard Wood since 21 December 1994. It was originally authorized for The Engineer School at Fort Humphreys, Virginia on 27 June 1929, a designation that remained unchanged for nearly fifty years. On 14 December 1976, the insignia was amended to extend authorization for its wear to personnel assigned to the U.S. Army Engineer Center and Fort Belvoir; this authorization was in effect until the 1994 reauthorization, which was necessitated by the relocation of the Engineer Center from Fort Belvoir to Fort Leonard Wood.
A triple-turreted castle has been associated with Army Engineers since at least 1838, and the first Commander of the Corps of Engineers, Colonel Jonathan Williams, originally sketched out the design back in 1807. Regardless of its provenance and date of origin, however, the image is one of the most well-recognized in United States Army heraldry. The red and white (silver) used on the insignia reflect the branch colors of the Army Corps of Engineers, while the golden lamp that serves as a crest is a traditional symbol of knowledge and enlightenment.
“ESSAYONS,” the motto of the Corps of Engineers that is French for “Let Us Try,” is also one of the most famous in the Army and is found on the buttons of Mess Dress Uniforms worn by Engineers.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been
authorized to be issued the device. The device 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.
Guidance for wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia," as well as in Sections 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.
Related Items
Engineer Center & Fort Leonard Wood & School Patch (SSI)