Also known as a unit crest, the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) was approved on 31 October 1996. It consists of a shield and attached scroll, both rendered in black to symbolize solidarity, strength, and most of all the responsibility required to fulfill the mission of Civil Affairs organizations.
On the shield are several charges: a gridlined, purple globe surmounted by a crossed scroll, lighting flash, and an upright sword and crested with a blazing sun holding a crescent moon. Purple is the primary color of the Civil Affairs branch; the sun contrasts with the black to evoke the concept day and mission responsibilities; and the crescent is an image frequently used to commemorate Southwest Asia service.
The alacrity with which the unit responds to changing mission parameters and objectives is symbolized with a lightning flash, while the upright sword is a common image denoting military preparedness. A scroll of parchment is a sign of the Battalion’s administrative expertise. “Making Order Out Of Chaos, a common theme in the realm of Civil Affairs, is the Battalion’s motto.
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.
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Originally constituted in the Army of the United States as the 107th HQ and HQ Detachment, Military Government Group and activated at The Presidio of Monterey, California on 25 August 1945, today’s 431st Civil Affairs Battalion has been allotted to the Army Reserve since July 1949, a time when the Reserve was designated as the Organized Reserve Corps. (It would become the Army Reserve in 1952.)
It has experienced several reorganizations and redesignations since it was first formed. At the time its components were was first called to active military service—a mobilization that lasted two weeks, from 11 December 1990 until 3 January 1991—it was designated as the 431st Civil Affairs Company. The Company wound up serving until 21 June 1991, taking part in two campaigns and earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its outstanding service.
It was given its current designation when it was reorganized and redesignated as the HQ and HQ Detachment, 431st Civil Affairs Battalion on 16 September 1992. Since that time, the Battalion and/or some of its subordinate units have been ordered to active military service on at least three occasions.
The Battalion was selected for a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its first tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2004, and after the Battalion’s second activation (2006 – 2008 ), Company C (provisional at the time) was tapped for a Valorous Unit Award for its service between March and October 2007 while assigned or attached to 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment.
Two more of Battalion subordinate units were honored with the Valorous Unit Award. Company A was tapped for the decoration for its service between June 2010 and April 2011 while supporting 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division in its combat operations in Zhari, Maiwand, Panjwai and Arghandab, and Kandahar Provinces in Afghanistan. And during that same time period (1 September to 10 November 2010) a Detachment from the Battalion serving with the 1st Battalion , 502nd Airborne Division was selected for the VUA in June of 2011.
As of Spring 2023, the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion is assigned to the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Reserve and is headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas.