The 187th Infantry Brigade, nicknamed the “Ready Brigade” (which is inscribed on the base of its Distinctive Unit Insignia) was last active for a period of less than four months, from 23 January 2007 to 17 May 2007 at Fort Leonard Wood, where it had been slated to serve as an Initial Entry Training brigade. Prior to that time, it had been inactivated since 1994. Although the unit’s history and lineage included credit for participation in four World War II campaigns in the European Theater, these came while the unit was designated as the 94th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized.
The 187th Infantry Brigade unit crest, officially called a Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), features two crossed power horns, a symbol not only of riflemen and the infantry, but also to the citizen-soldiers of the Revolution who were famous for their readiness, particularly in the Brigade’s home state of Massachusetts. The green area below the powder horns is a symbol of the “village green,” where many early American militiamen met, trained, and drilled.
The powder horn is also a focal point in the design of the
187th Infantry Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
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" and 21–3(d) and (e),
"Beret" and
"Garrison Cap," respectively.