U.S. ARMY ELEMENT, SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND, SOUTH UNIT CREST (DUI)

us army special operations command south unit crest

More commonly referred to as a unit crest or a DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia for the U.S. Army Element Special Operations Command, South was approved on 18 July 2001. The unit motto, GUARDIANES DEL SUR, is Spanish for “Guardians Of The South,” and the two areas below it—one cast in silver and the other in blue—unit to suggests the outline of an open parachute and thus the Airborne capability that is the hallmark of so many Special Operations units. The rapid deployment ability and fast striking power of these units is emphasized with the use of two red lightning flashes.

A pair of Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knives, a favorite choice amongst Special Operations and Special Forces operatives, recalls the organization’s ties to the 1st Special Service Force and United States Army Special Operations. The scarlet used for the scroll containing the motto and the lightning flashes is for courage and sacrifice, while the black used for the knives signifies strength and solidarity.

Based at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Special Operations Command South is responsible for the command and control of all Special Operations Forces assigned to the United States Southern Command, including three Joint Task Forces (Bravo, Guantanamo, and Interagency Task Force South).

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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. 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, SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND, SOUTH UNIT CREST (DUI)