More commonly referred to as a “unit crest” or “DUI,” the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 208th Finance Battalion was approved on 20 March 1995. It was cancelled when the Battalion was redesignated as the 208th Financial Management Company on 16 July 2008 as part of an Army-wide restructuring of service support intended to decentralize finance operations.
The shield portion of the 208th Finance Battalion unit crest features a gold, double-warded key superimposed on a black castle tower set against a checkerboard-style pattern of silver and gold lozenges (diamond shapes), the two branch colors of the Finance Corps. It also recalls the Corps’ branch insignia, which is a gold lozenge divided into four sections, as well as the unit’s procurement and payment mission. The black tower is a symbol of defense and celebrates the baptism of fire experienced during World War II by some of the existing units used to organize the Battalion. A double-warded key invokes the concepts of security and control over access to funds. The unit motto, “Service Pay Support” encapsulates the core functions involved in the Finance battalion mission.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
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.