Commonly called a unit crest or DUI for short, the 260th Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was originally approved for the 260th Coast Artillery Regiment on 15 May 1928. After being redesignated for the 260th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in January 1944, the insignia would be rescinded thirty-one years later on 24 January 1975. It was reinstated on 14 July 1997 and redesignated for the 260th Regiment.
A red shield indicates this organization was an Artillery unit, originally a Coast Artillery Regiment (260th Coast Artillery) and then an Antiaircraft Artillery unit with the same numeric designation. In the upper right, a white oblong containing a red diamond is a reference to the device used to identify equipment of the 2nd Battalion, 60th Regiment Coast Artillery, source of the battle honors held by the 260th Coast Artillery. The fleur-de-lis inside the diamond alludes to service in France. A prickly pear (lower left) is a symbol of Mexican Border service before World War I.
A diagonal pile (triangular shape) serves as a bend on this insignia and also simulates the appearance of a searchlight scanning the sky; combined with the two projectiles, it represents one searchlight battery and two gun batteries. The unit motto, “FERIO, TEGO” is a Latin phrase meaning, “I Strike, I Defend.”
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. 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.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Since 1997, the 260th Regiment has administered, operated, and maintained the District of Columbia Army National Guard Regional Training Institute, also know as the 260th Regional Training Institute. Based at Fort Belvoir, the 260th RTI hosts Officer/Warrant Officer Candidate Schools, provides leadership training and professional development, and offers technical education in a variety of occupational specialties for Guardsmen from all over the country.