Perhaps better known as a unit crest or DUI for short, the 411th Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was first approved on 23 June 1925 for the 411th Regiment Infantry, Organized Reserves, but it was amended in July 1959 to remove the “Organized Reserves” from the designation to reflect that organization’s transformation to the Army Reserve. It was amended again to revise the symbolism on 3 August 1970. On 12 May 1999, it was given is current designation of 411th Regiment.
A shield divided into half blue, half white with a dancette (a zig-zag type line) simulates the outline of white mountains against the blue sky of Colorado, the Regiment’s original geographic location. Rattlesnakes are common to the region; the image of one coiled and ready to strike is the very embodiment of both readiness and willingness to fight, as per the Regimental motto PARATUS FERIRE (Latin for “Ready To Strike”).
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.
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Constituted as the 411th Infantry in the Organized Reserves on 24 June 1921, the unit was assigned to the 103rd Division (redesignated as the 103rd Infantry division after mid-July 1942). Fighting in Europe with the 103rd Division, the Regiment would take part in three campaigns before being inactivated on 20 September 1945 at the New York Port of Embarkation.
But the organization was quickly activated again in the Organized Reserves on 20 January 1947 with its HQ at Fargo, North Dakota; its location would change to Minneapolis at the end of December 1949 and then to Fort Snelling, Minnesota in November 1951. The big change awaiting the Regiment, however, would come in two parts. First, it was reorganized in May 1959 as a parent regiment the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS) consisting of the 1st Battle Group, an element of the 103rd Infantry Division, with the 1st Battle Group being inactivated on 15 March 1963.
The second part was actually a combination of three actions: being withdrawn from the CARS in October 1999, concurrently being redesignated as the 411th Regiment, and also being reorganized to consist of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions—all of them elements of the 85th Division (Training).
Despite the transformation of the 85th Division into U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, the 411th Regiment has maintained an affiliation with the organization. Its 2nd Battalion (2-411) and 3rd Battalion (3-411) provide Logistics Support for the 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade and the 157th Infantry Brigade, respectively, while the 1st Battalion (1-411) is assigned to 4th Cavalry Brigade. Since becoming Training units, the 1st Battalion has been honored with an Army Superior Unit Award, while the 2nd and 3rd Battalion have each been selected twice for the award.