The 227th Brigade Engineer Battalion was originally constituted in the Hawaii Army National Guard as the Special Troops Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and organized the following March from new and existing units. It was ordered into active Federal service on 19 August 2008 at home stations and released from that service on 22 September 2009, reverting to state control at that time. On 1 September 2014, the Battalion was converted to the 227th Engineer Battalion.
While the Battalion’s campaign participation from its service in the War on Terrorism is yet to be determined, Company A is individually credited with taking part in the Global War on Terrorism campaign. And according to the U.S. Army Center of Military History Web site, the Battalion as a whole is also credited with a Meritorious Unit Commendation for Southwest Asia service between 2008 – 2009. As of Winter 2024, the Battalion is an active unit in the Hawaii Army National Guard assigned to the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Its missions is to support the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team with Engineer Battalion operations, mission command, information network and information systems, intelligence collection, and disaster management operations worldwide.
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The 227th Engineer Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (also callec a DUI or unit crest) was originally approved for the Special Troops Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team on 17 March 2008. It was subsequently given its current designation, with revised symbolism, on 1 September 2014.
Gold and red are the traditional colors of the battle garments worn by ancient Hawaiian warrior chiefs and points to the unit’s location at Kapolei, Hawaii when it was activated in March 2008. Taking up most of the insignia is golden Koa weapon, crafted shark’s teeth and invoking the image of an Hawaiian infantry warrior engaged in close combat; the 29 teeth are an allusion to the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
The weapon is surmounted on a pair of crossed spears with lightning-flash tips that recall the Signal and Military Intelligence missions of the Battalion and the speed at which they were executed. An embattled chief (upper third) of the insignia symbolizes the Engineering and Special Mission skills of the Battalion while also recalling the Iolani Barracks. The scarlet tone represents courage, while gold is for excellence and courage. Ikaika Mau Loa, the unit motto, is Hawaiian for “Forever Strong.”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. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be 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.