U.S. ARMY FORT LEONARD WOOD DENTAL ACTIVITY UNIT CREST (DUI)

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.

The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the Fort Leonard Wood Dental Activity is a silver lozenge (diamond shape) with the two scalloped edges on top and the two concave edges on bottom. Inside the lozenge is a maroon Greek cross upon which a cross flory with two serpents entwining the vertical axis has been superimposed. Besides suggesting the Army Dental Corps with its maroon color, the Greek cross has been a longtime symbol of aid and assistance, while the two serpents are an adaptation of the caduceus.

Scallops along the top edges are used to suggest the undulating terrain and peaks of the Ozark Mountain region where Fort Leonard Wood is located. Similarly, the cross flory is a reference to the French who had great influence in the region prior to the Louisiana Purchase (the term “Ozark” is itself derived from French). “Care With Pride” is the unit motto.

The Distinctive Unit Insignia for Dental Activity at Fort Leonard Wood was approved on 23 October 1981. It was cancelled effective 30 September 2016, when the unit was discontinued and replaced with the very similar sounding Dental Health Activity.

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," respectively.