Often called a unit crest, the 11th Psychological Operations Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) was first approved for the 7th Psychological Operations Battalion on 27 August 1968. It was redesignated for the 11th Psychological 11th Psychological Operations Battalion on 5 August 1996.
As part of the heraldry for Psychological Operations (PsyOps) units, the three colors white, gray, and black have a special meaning regarding the type of propaganda the unit creates and or disseminates. White stands for information that is completely true; gray is for partial or half-truths; black is for untruth. The upright white sword in the insignia represents the Battalion’s first and preferred type of propaganda, the truth, and its use as a ready defense against gray (half-truth) and black (untruth).
The gold quill crossing the sword signifies the unit’s excellence disseminating written propaganda, and the red border denotes continuous inspiration and rigor. The heptagon (seven sides) is a reference to the unit's original numerical designation. “EXPLOITERS,” unit motto, highlights the mission of Psychological Battalions to use the dissemination of information to gain the greatest strategic and/or tactical advantage possible over the intended consumer of that info.
Headquartered in White Plains, Maryland, 11th Psychological Operations Battalion is assigned to the 2nd Psychological Operations Group and consists of four PsyOps Companies—305th, 312th, 351st, and 360th—based in Virginia, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey.
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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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."