Better known as a unit crest, the Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) of the 13th Psychological Operations Battalion was authorized for wear on 11 January 1967. The insignia is crafted in dark green and silver, the official colors of the Psychological Operations branch. A nib-down quill pen in the center of the insignia is an allusion to written or printed words and, by extension, to their power in shaping public opinion, a concept reinforced by the unit motto “Power Of Persuasion.”
It is bookended by lightning flashes symbolizing audio broadcasts. Taken in combination, the pen and flashes embody the mission of the Battalion to distribute propaganda material from forward positions to enemy troops.
The 13th Psychological Operations Battalion is assigned to the 2nd Psychological Operations Group. Headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota, the Battalion comprises four Psychological Operations Companies, two co-located with Battalion HQ in Arden Hills and two others based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Twinsburg, Ohio.
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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 (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.
For Enlisted personnel, the insignia is 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.
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.