The motto of the Special Troops Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division is “FERREUS ARMATURA,” Latin for “Iron Soldiers” and a nod to the “Iron Division” nickname that was given to the 28th Division by General John J. Pershing, as well as to the 2nd IBCT’s unofficial nickname of “Iron Brigade.”
The battalion’s ties to the 28th ID are also reinforced with the red keystone in the upper half of the shield; the 28th is a Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit and Pennsylvania is the Keystone State. The pheon in the keystone is a symbol of military preparedness, while the alligator is an emblem of 103rd Armor, the unit from which the Special Troops Battalion was formed. Light blue in the upper half of the shield is the color of infantry.
Teal in the lower half is the color of branch immaterial, which is what the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 28th Infantry Division was designated. A lightning bolt is the image associated with Signal companies (communications), and the silver key represents the data unlocked by the battalion’s Military Intelligence company. A tower is emblematic of the unit’s Engineer units, and the gray border recalls the color of iron and thus the “Iron Soldiers” nickname.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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.