The 1030th Engineer Battalion was originally organized on 25 January 1950 as Company D, 116th Infantry, Virginia Army National Guard as an element of the 29th Infantry Division. In September 1956 it was converted, reorganized, and redesignated as Headquarters (HQ) and Service Company, 1030th Engineer Battalion and concurrently relieved from assignment to the 29th Infantry Division. It was subsequently reorganized and redesignated as HQ and HQ Company, 1030th Engineer Battalion in June 1959, and in 1968 it was again reorganized and redesignated as the HQ and HQ Detachment of the 1030th Engineer BN. It was under this designation that it went on to serve in the First Gulf War after being called into Federal service on 24 November 1990 and took part in all three campaigns of the Southwest Asia conflict (AKA First Gulf War).
The Battalion was again called into Federal Service in March 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, and its exceptional service was recognized with the award of a Meritorious Unit Commendation. On 1 September 2006, the unit was converted, reorganized, and redesignated to its current role as the 1030th Transportation Battalion. As of Autumn 2023, the 1030th Transportation Battalion is assigned to the 329th Regional Support Group, Virginia Army National Guard and is headquartered in Gate City, Virginia.
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Originally approved on 26 January 1960 for the 1030th Engineer Battalion (Combat), the Distinctive Unit Insignia—a device also known as a DUI or unit crest—was redesignated for the 1030th Transportation Battalion with an effective date of 1 September 2006. Its scarlet and white colors are the branch colors of the Corps of Engineers, its former branch; the construction mission of Engineers is symbolized by a trestle, while the blue bayonet alludes to the organization’s origins as an Infantry company. “Construct And Conquer” is the Battalion motto.
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. DUIs are not 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.