The Vermont Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters Distinctive Unit Insignia, frequently referred to as a unit crest or DUI, was originally approved for non-color and non-standard bearing units in the Vermont National Guard on 14 June 1929. On 13 January 1971 it was redesignated for the HQ and HQ Detachment and non-color bearing units of the Vermont Army National Guard. It would subsequently be redesignated for HQ, State Area Command, Vermont Army National Guard on 1 October 1982; it was given its current designation twenty-one years later to the day on 1 October 2003.
While The Institute of Heraldry states that the two pine branches (known as a “Vermonter’s badge") and the buck’s head used on this unit crest “have long been a portion of the [Vermont] State seal,” an inspection of that seal reveals that neither are to be found on the current or previous seal. They are, however, featured prominently on the Vermont State Flag, with a buck’s head forming the crest of the seal and the pine branches bracketing a shield stylized as a picture frame. The red and white twists of the wreath denote the English origins of the state’s first major settlement.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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. Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."Related Items
Vermont ARNG Element, Joint Force HQ Patch (SSI)