U.S. ARMY ELEMENT, NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND UNIT CREST (DUI)

While many Americans have undoubtedly heard of NORAD, it’s far less likely they are aware that this joint command comprises not only United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine components, but also Canadian forces. Created on 12 May 1958, NORAD’s mission is to provide early warning of aerospace threats and if necessary deploy countermeasures to nullify unmanned threats en route or order manned threat forces to leave the two nation’s sovereign airspace or face destruction.

NORAD Headquarters and the Headquarters for U.S. Northern Command are co-located at Peterson Air Force Base near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to 2006, NORAD HQ and it associated units were housed in in the Cheyenne Mountain Complex outside Colorado Springs, protected by 2,000 feet of granite that can withstand a “ground zero” blast of a multi-megaton nuclear device. Referenced in several war and sci-fi movies, the Complex was most famously featured in the 1983 film Wargames in which it was referred to as the “Crystal Palace." A reorganization in 2006 made the Complex an alternate command, with all the day-to-day activities moved Peterson AFB.

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The Army element of this unified command is represented in the NORAD Distinctive Unit Insignia by the yellow landmass displayed on a green, grid-lined globe. Silver wings enfolding the globe symbolize the protection and defense provided by the command, similar to a bird sheltering its young under its wings. The lightning bolts are emblems of overwhelming striking power that NORAD stands ready and able to deliver against any enemy.

Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a 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. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.

More 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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U.S. ARMY ELEMENT, NORTH AMERICAN AEROSPACE DEFENSE COMMAND UNIT CREST (DUI)