The 634th Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia—more commonly referred to as a “unit crest," or DUI—employs a field of oriental blue and incoming arrowheads of silver gray to incorporate the primary and secondary branch colors of the Military Intelligence Corps. Set behind the four arrowheads, which are positioned at the four main directional points (N,S,E,W), is a red compass rose pointing outward. Together, they combine to reinforce the Battalion motto of “Collect, Analyze, Disseminate” by illustrating the intake of data and its output after having been thoroughly analyzed.
The red of the compass rose is the color used for both zeal and valor and also serves as an allusion to the 34th Division, which carries the official Special Designation of “Red Bull Division.” And by pointing at the directions between the main directional points, the compass underscores the worldwide scope of the Battalion’s mission.
This insignia was authorized on 10 September 1996 at the time the 634th Military Intelligence Battalion was being constituted and organized as part of the 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard. When not called for active Federal service, the Battalion was headquartered in Rosemont, Minnesota.
During a 2006 – 2007 deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Battalion was assigned to the HHC, 1st Brigade 34th Infantry Division which in turn was reporting to the HHB, 1st Battalion, 216th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Between April 2006 and July 2007, the 634th MI Battalion and other Battalions ensure the continuous operation of thirteen radio relay stations that enable over 1380 convoy escort team missions to be completed over nearly three million miles of road. On 22 December 2009, the 634th Battalion was selected along with several other units involved in the mission and awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its role in this major logistics success.