Often called a unit crest or DUI for short, the Distinctive Unit Insignia now worn by personnel in the 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard was originally approved on 27 May 2008 for the 766th Engineer Battalion. Its focal point is a castle-type wall with three towers, similar but not identical to those found on the Army Corps of Engineers insignia of branch and thus denoting the unit as a Corps of Engineers organization.
According to The Institute of Heraldry, the three towers “[symbolize] the first major construction undertaken by the Corps of Engineers, building a system of castle-like fortifications for the protection of harbors along the Atlantic coast,” with the wavy blue partition denoting the waters of the Atlantic. Above the partition is a pair of crossed axes that represent the Pioneer Brigade, the first Engineer element in the Army. “Pave The Way” is the Battalion motto.
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.
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The 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion is a component of the Illinois Army National Guard (ARNG). It most recently was assigned to the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, but verifying its status online is difficult because the Illinois ARNG’s Web site has blank pages for several of its major commands, including the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.