The Distinctive Unit Insignia of the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (alternatively 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 25th Infantry) incorporates the colors and heraldic imagery associated with the unit’s three types of core units: Military Intelligence, Signal, and Engineer.
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.
At the top of the insignia, a scarlet embattled tower with a bayonet superimposed over it signifies the Engineer component of the Battalion, with the bayonet representing the unit’s Infantry service in years gone by (the Battalion’s nickname was “Bayonet”). The field in the middle of the shield is countercharged in oriental blue and silver gray, branch colors of Military Intelligence, and the orange lightning flash is a reference to both the Battalion’s Signal Corps’ units and the insignia of the Battalion’s parent company, the 25th “Tropic Lightning” Infantry Division.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."
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Originally constituted in the Organized Reserves at Albany, New York as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 195th Infantry Brigade and assigned to the 98th Division, the unit deployed to Japan at the end of World War II but following the Japanese surrender, and as a results its Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Streamer is uninscribed. During the Vietnam War, on the other hand, the unit—now designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division—took part in a dozen campaigns and was honored with a Valorous Unit Award from the U.S. Army, as well as four high-ranking unit awards from the Republic of Vietnam (three Crosses of Gallantry with Palm and a Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class).
On 16 November 2005, the Headquarters Company of the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division was split from Headquarters, with the Company being redesignated a Special Troops Battalion. Although the Battalion was only active for a little over a decade—it was reflagged as the 29th Engineer Battalion in June 2014 and activated in October of that year—its unflagging commitment to excellence “By Courage And Arms” led to it and/or component unit(s) being recognized with two Meritorious Unit Commendations for service in Iraq. And in December 2014, a little under six months after its inactivation, it was the recipient of an Army Superior Unit Award for service in support of the Homeland Defense of Guam mission in the Pacific Command Area of Operations.