Originally approved for the U.S. Army Regional Dental Activity, Alameda on 23 March 1981, this Distinctive Unit Insignia (AKA a DUI or a “unit crest”) was given its current designation for the U.S. Army Area Dental Laboratory on 8 December 1981.
The insignia is rendered in just two colors, maroon and white (silver can be used in heraldry for white), official colors for the Dental Corps and all Army Medicine units. A cross in the center is surrounded by smaller crosses to denote the organization’s ability to provide basic dental care as well as highly specialized services. Its ability to correct or remedy special dental problems is emphasized in its motto, “To Restore Anew, as well as the “building block” visual effect alluded to by the aforementioned combination of crosses.
U.S. Army Area Dental Laboratory was one of four Regional Dental Activities that provided dental laboratory support for the entire U.S. Army. Besides the Alameda site, they were also based at Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. (later known as Walter Reed Army Medical Center), Fort Sam Houston in Texas, and Fort Eisenhower (known as Fort Gordon prior to 27 October 2023) in Georgia.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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 (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.