U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY, FORT DIX UNIT CREST (DUI)

Better known to most Soldiers as a unit crest or a DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Dix was originally approved for the Walson Army Hospital on 13 May 1970. It was redesignated for the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Dix on 23 August 1973.

“We Seek To Heal,” the organization’s motto, is presented with silver (white) text on a maroon scroll to denote the organization’s status as part of the Army Medical Department, along with silver serpents and torch and a maroon Maltese cross, a symbol first used in the Middle Ages the Knights Hospitallers. The eight points of the cross stand for the eight functions of the Medical Department Activity, with the color also serving as a reminder of the life-sustaining goals of medicinal practice.

A torch placed atop the cross emanates silver rays as an emblem of the light provided by modern medical knowledge. The two serpents have tails entwined in front of the torch as an allusion to the Staff of Aesculapius, a god of medicine in ancient mythology. The green background of the rays is a symbol of health, life, and rejuvenation.
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 (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.

For Enlisted personnel, the insignia is centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.

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.