Commonly called a unit crest or DUI for short, the 409th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a “unit crest” or DUI, was approved for wear on 9 September 2003. Its design is intended to highlight the cooperation between the Battalion and its host nation of Germany.
According to The Institute of Heraldry, the blue diamond pattern on the leftmost of the shield’s three partitions—along with the heraldic lion on the far right—is adapted from “German coats of arms,” but does not specify from which coat of arms this particular pattern was adapted or taken. In the middle, the wedge shape of the partition implies support, and each of its three sections is a star and a stripe—an obvious nod to our nation’s flag. A pair of swords superimposed on two of the stripes is symbol of military readiness, with the stars alluding to the command and control aspects of the Battalion’s service. On the right, the lion rampant is adapted from the coat of arms of Rhineland-Palatinate, the German state in which the Battalion’s home location of Kaiserlautern is located. “Quality Service First” is the Battalion motto.
You can find guidance on wear of the DUI in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.According to an article published on 30 November 2010, the Battalion had by that time been designated as the 409th Contracting Support Battalion. In 2013, the 409th Contracting Support Battalion’s contributions to the 2012 Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas placed it in the top level of giving,
earning the Battalion Platinum status in the campaign.
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