The prominent display of the words “Lightning Strike Strong” on the 165th Infantry Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia (also called a unit crest or a DUI) reveals the close ties between the Brigade and the 83rd Infantry Division, nicknamed “Thunderbolt Division” and recalled again by the lightning flash on the black triangular pile. The same imagery but without the motto appears on the 165th Infantry Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch.
Light-blue is used for the background on the shield and on the scroll to reflect the Brigade’s status as an Infantry unit, with gold used for letters, borders, and fill as a sign of excellence. Soldier Training encompasses three phases, represented here by the national colors of red, white, and blue. Black is always a color of solidarity and unity in military heraldry.
The 165th Infantry Brigade was assigned to the 83rd Division during World War I and was redesignated the 83d Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized and made an element of the 83rd Infantry Division during World War II. Following an inactivation of more than 40 years, the unit was redesignated to its current (and original) designation and transferred to U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. It is headquartered at Fort Jackson in South Carolina and oversees varying numbers of battalions conducting Basic Combat Training and/or Initial Entry Training.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Also known as unit crests, Distinctive Unit Insignias (DUIs) are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been
authorized to be issued the device. The device 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.
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.
Related Items
165th Infantry Brigade Patch (SSI)