“Strength Through Security” was the motto of the 112th Military Intelligence Brigade, which was originally constituted in the Army of the United States as the 112th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment on 10 May 1946 and activated at Dallas, Texas less than two weeks later on 21 May. In February 1951, it was allotted to the Regular Army, and on 1 August 1957 it was redesignated as the Counter Intelligence Corps Group, then becoming the 112th Intelligence Corps Group on 25 July 1961.
It was redesignated as the 112th Military Intelligence Group on 15 October 1966 and would serve for eight years before subsequent inactivation on 30 June 1974 at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Redesignated as Headquarters, 112th Military Intelligence Brigade on 1 July 1987, the unit was concurrently transferred to the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and activated at Fort Devens in Massachusetts. After six years in a training role, the Brigade was inactivated for the final time on 30 January 1993.
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The 112th Military Intelligence Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia—colloquially referred to as a “unit crest” or by the initialism DUI—was originally approved on 29 July 1969 while the unit was still designated as the 112th Military Intelligence Group. It was redesignated for the 112th Military Intelligence Brigade, with symbolism revised, with an effective date of 1 July 1987—the same day its thirteen-year stretch of inactivation ended and it was transferred to TRADOC.
In addition to the Military Intelligence branch colors of oriental blue and silver found in the insignia, the silver and gold sunburst in the background is a further allusion to Intelligence—gold in the sunburst symbolizes the incredible value of reliable intelligence—and also invokes the Southwestern U.S. location of the unit. Five rays in the sunburst recall the five regions of the former unit, while the chevron (a symbol of support) and its five stars stand for the five states that made up its former area of service. The oak leaves above all the other imagery convey the strong, determined resolution of the personnel who made up the unit, while the motto of “Strength Through Security” vocalizes the goal of any successful counterintelligence organization.
Distinctive Unit Insignias are 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.