The 98th Civil Affairs Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, frequently called a unit crest or a DUI, reflects the unit’s dual lineage that was created when the 98th Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), Military Government Group (activated 26 August 1945 in California) was consolidated in 1989 with the HHD, 3rd Civil Affairs Groups (activated 1 October 1968 in Panama, inactivated in 1974).
A jagged, diagonal stripe running between a scroll and a quill pen is actually a map symbol that represents the Panama Canal Zone where the 3rd Civil Affairs Group was activated. Red and gold used throughout the insignia are considered Spanish colors and reflect the Latin-American focus of the unit’s activities. The curved embattled wall is actually a mural crown, originally used in Ancient Rome as a headpiece to represent city walls or towers; it signifies Civil Affairs operations and civic actions carried out by the unit.
The scroll and pen stand for contingency planning and, in combination with the masoned battlement of the mural crown, suggest the combined political and military activities of the organization. At the top of the mural crown, the three projections are a visual reference to the numerical designation of the 3rd Civil Affairs Group, for whom the unit crest was originally approved on 10 March 1969; it was redesignated for the 98th Civil Affairs Battalion on 1 June 2007. "The Bridge Between" is a reference to the Civil Affairs mission of bridging the gap between the end of military operations and the establishment of civil authority and law enforcement.
Although the two organizations were consolidated in 1989 as the 98th Civil Affairs Group, the new unit was not activated at that time. Instead, it was redesignated as the 98th Civil Affairs Battalion on 16 September 1992, with activation not coming until 16 March 2008.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."Related Items
98th Civil Affairs Battalion Beret Flash and Oval