The 425th Civil Affairs Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), sometimes called a unit crest, was approved for wear on 13 October 1995. The golden disc behind the torii gate is adapted from the Civil Affairs’ branch insignia and symbolizes readiness for a worldwide mission; it also represents the sun in an allusion alludes to the Battalion’s secondary mission in the Far East and the unit’s associations with Santa Barbara and Hawaii. The torii gate commemorates operations conducted in Korea. A gold palm frond crossed with a quill pen also recalls the unit’s secondary mission, while the gold quill pen is a reference to the Civil Affairs mission and denotes administrative excellence. The red used throughout the insignia stands for sacrifice and courage; blue is unit capabilities across the globe. “Win The Peace” is the Battalion motto.
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. Full 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.
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The 425th Civil Affairs Battalion was originally constituted in the Organized Reserve Corps (which became the Army Reserve in July 1952) as the 425th Military Government Company on 8 April 1949 and activated on 16 May 1949. In August 1956, the Company was reorganized and redesignated as the 425th Civil Affairs and Military Government Company, followed by another redesignation on 10 December 1959 transforming it into the 425th Civil Affairs Company. Over thirty years would go by before it was again reorganized and redesignated under its current title and role as HHD, 425th Civil Affairs Battalion.
Beginning in later 2003, the whole Battalion was ordered into active military service twice, (second deployment in 2008), while either an Element or Elements of the Battalion were called to service four other times. The Battalion is credited with participation in the Global War on Terrorism campaign, as well as at least two campaigns in the Iraq Theater of the War on Terrorism (Iraqi Surge, Iraqi Sovereignty, other may be added later). Its outstanding service during those deployments has been recognized with two Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUCs) for the entire Battalion, as well as an individual MUC for Company A for service in Iraq between October 2008 and June 2009 and an MUC Company D’s service in Afghanistan from July 2011 to May 2012.
As of Summer 2023, the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion is still allotted to the U.S. Army Reserve. Headquartered in Encino, California, it is assigned to the 351st Civil Affairs Command, United States Army Reserve.