Often called a unit crest or a DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 196th Infantry Brigade was originally approved on 1 March 1966. The unit motto, “Ahead Of The Rest,” is fittingly located at the top of the insignia. A blue powder horn forming the base of the insignia is a symbol of military preparedness for the American Infantryman and signifies the organization’s independence. An upright yellow (gold) arrow passing through a looped bow is taken from the seal of the state of Massachusetts and alludes to the unit’s home area.
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 (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam.
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.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A component of United States Army Pacific, the 196th Infantry Brigade is the Training Support Brigade for units in the Indo-Pacific Region and is stationed at Fort Shafter on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. In addition to its Headquarters and Headquarters Company and a Support battalion, the Brigade consists of three organic battalions, each with specific missions. 1st Battalion provides pre-mobilization training and advisory assistance to 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion advises and assists the Alaska Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve in the planning and carrying out pre-mobilization training; and 3rd Battalion performs similar functions as the 1st and 2nd, but for the Guam Army National Guard and Army Reserve Marianas.
Officially nicknamed “Chargers,” the 196th Infantry Brigade was originally constituted in the Organized Reserves (which became the Army Reserve after 1952) as HQ and HQ Company, 196th Infantry Brigade on 24 June 1921 and assigned to the 98th Division. In February 1942, it was converted and redesignated as the 3rd Platoon, 98th Reconnaissance Troop, 98th Division, but in September of that year it was reorganized as the 98th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 98th Infantry Division. It would be redesignated yet again (98th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized) before its inactivation in Japan in February 1946 and later be awarded an uninscribed World War II campaign streamer.
Ten years after being reorganized and redesignated as the 98th Reconnaissance Company in 1949, the unit was disbanded on 1 May 1959, and at the same time the 3rd Platoon, 98th Reconnaissance Company was reconstituted in the Regular Army as HHC, 196th Infantry Brigade. The Brigade would be deployed to Vietnam and fight in fourteen campaigns, earning a Valorous Unit Award and four Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm awards between 1969 and October 1971. Inactivated in June 1972, the Brigade was reactivated and began a new chapter in its service history with its assignment as a Training Support Brigade for U.S. Army Pacific.