The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 211th Military Police Battalion is one of our nation’s oldest active military organizations, with its roots going back to October 1741 and the organization of the Independent Company of Cadets in the Massachusetts Militia.
Composed of young volunteers who also could afford uniforms as well as monetary contributions toward the maintenance of the unit, this original group was tasked with serving as a ceremonial bodyguard for the Royal (i.e., British) governors of Massachusetts—a job the Cadets relinquished after they disbanded in August 1774 to protest the sacking of their commander John Hancock (famed signatory of the Declaration of Independence).
The group’s name would undergo several changes following the Revolutionary War, with the final designation—First Corps of Cadets, assumed in 1874—serving as the Battalion’s official “nickname” since 1998, just two years after the unit was given its current designation (which was also the first time it had been designated as a Military Police unit).
The forebears of today’s 211th Military Police Battalion saw action in over 30 campaigns spanning the Revolutionary War, Civil War, both World Wars, and the War on Terrorism, and were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (Guadalcanal), a citation in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army (Ardennes), and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation during World War II. As of Autumn 2023, the Battalion is assigned to the 46th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Massachusetts Army National Guard.
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The 211th Military Police Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was not approved until 20 April 1950—more than two centuries after the organization of the Independent Corps of Cadets—for the 126th Heavy Tank Battalion. It was then worn by members of the 220th Infantry (1961-1984) and the 126th Signal Battalion until it was redesignated for the 211th Military Police Battalion on 16 July 1996. Its symbolism is simple: It is the old badge of the First Corps of Cadets from which the organization is descended. MONSTRAT VIAM, the unit motto, is Latin for "It Points The Way."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. DUIs are not 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," respectively.