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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
Enlisted personnel wear the insignia 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.
More 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.
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The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 188th Support Battalion—now designated as the 188th Brigade Support Battalion—was originally approved back in August 1966, while the unit was still the 188th Maintenance Battalion. It was redesignated on 18 June 2007 for the 188th Support Battalion, with the description and symbolism updated to reflect the organization’s new branch of service.
The direct support provided by the Battalion to its assigned units is represented by the oak tree, a traditional symbol of strength in heraldry. A Roman sword is a reference to the battle honors awarded the Battalion for its service in Italy during World War II; it is also an allusion to the type of maintenance support the battalion provides for small arms. The crescent is an ancient emblem of North Africa and is an allusion to the organization's initial war experience during Operation Torch in 1942.
Since 2007, the 188th Brigade Support Battalion has been assigned to the 18th Field Artillery Brigade.