U.S. ARMY 535TH MILITARY POLICE BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)

The 535th Military Police Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was approved on 2 February 1970. Its focal point is a griffin—a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion—that symbolizes the courage and unending vigilance required of a Military Police organization. The griffin is holding a sword in one talon while the other protects a star (symbol of enlightenment), alluding to the basic Military Police mission “To Guard And Defend.” A fleur-de-lis on the griffin’s head is a reference to France, where the unit was first activated.

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. 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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The 535th Military Police Battalion was originally constituted on 19 January 1945 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters (HQ) and HQ Detachment, 535th Military Police Battalion and activated on 30 January 1945 in France. Redesignated as HQ and HQA Detachment, 535th Military Police Service Battalion in April 1945 and subsequently inactivated in August 1946, the unit was redesignated as HHD, 535th Military Police Battalion, allotted to the Army Reserve, and assigned to the Second United States Army in April 1955.

In January 1966, the unit was relieved from the Second United States Army and assigned to the First United States Army; it would later be reassigned to the Fifth United States Army (October 1973) and the Fourth United States Army (October 1984). Although the Fourth United States Army was disbanded in 1992, it is unclear when the Battalion was allotted to the United States Army Reserve. In September 2009, the Battalion was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its display of “outstanding professional skill, selfless service, and unparalleled esprit de corps in executing numerous varied missions under extremely austere and dangerous conditions” in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom between August 2007 and April 2008.

As of Autumn 2023, the 535th Military Police Battalion is allotted to the U.S. Army Reserve and is assigned to the 290th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command. In addition to its HQ and HQ Company in Cary, NC, the Battalion consists of the 805th Military Police Company (also based in Cary) and the 138th Military Police Detachment stationed at Fort Liberty (previously known as Fort Bragg).

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Merchant Marine

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U.S. ARMY 535TH MILITARY POLICE BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)