U.S. ARMY ELEMENT, SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PACIFIC UNIT CREST (DUI)

The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the U.S. Army Element, United States Special Operations Command Pacific was approved on 12 June 1997. A light-blue disc takes up the center of the insignia, upon which a sunburst and palm branches have been arrayed to suggest the Pacific Ocean and thus the organization’s operational area.

A pair of black daggers placed atop the sun suggest both the over and covert capabilities of the unit, with the teamwork necessary in a joint command alluded by the daggers’ crossed position. The red of the annulet is the color of sacrifice and action, denoting the courage and zeal necessary to truly claim the title of “Guardians Of The Pacific.”

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 (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be 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," respectiv

A subordinate unified command under the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Special Operations Pacific’s history goes back to November 1965 and the establishment of the Special Operations Center, Pacific Command with headquarters in Okinawa, tasked with the provision of task force support for unconventional warfare in Southeast Asia. Its mission was given to the Commander in Chief, Pacific Command (CINCPAC) before the organization’s dissolution on 1 July 1969.

In October 1983, Special Operations Command, Pacific was established by the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and activated on 1 November 1983. In 1989, the Command was assigned operational control over its first Special Operations and Special Forces units, the 1st Special Forces Group and what is today designated the 353rd Special Operations Group. Today, it is headquartered at Camp H.M. Smith, which has the distinction of being the only Marine Corps installation that supports the Commander of a Unified Combatant Command, namely the United States Indo-Pacific Command.

As of Winter 2024, the Command is led by Rear Admiral Jeremy B. Williams, who assumed Command in July 2022.

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