The current version of the 122nd Field Artillery Regiment was not established until 1959 when three Field Artillery battalions—the 122nd, 124th, and 208th—were consolidated to form the 122nd Artillery in the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS), which was later redesignated as the 122nd Field Artillery in 1972. But the imagery on the 122nd Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia is based upon the lineage and heritage of the unit that was designated the 122nd Field Artillery Battalion at the time of that consolidation—and which was also the first to carry the title “122nd Field Artillery” while designated as a Regiment—and has no references to the histories of the other battalions involved.
In the insignia chief, the color yellow is used to refer to the 1st Illinois Cavalry, which was organized originally as the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry in May 1898 and was the predecessor of the 122nd Field Artillery Battalion. Between June and November 1916, while designated as the 1st Cavalry, the unit was mustered into Federal service for Mexican border duty; this is alluded to by the green cactus in the yellow field. On 9 June 1917, Chicago elements of the Regiment were converted and redesignated as the 2nd Field Artillery; this period is represented with the red field of the shield. Lastly, after being redesignated as the 122nd Field Artillery on 21 September 1917, the unit went on to serve in three World War I campaigns while assigned to the 33rd Division; these are denoted by the three blue fleurs-de-lis.
PROMPTI ET PARATI, the unit motto, is Latin for “Ready And Prepared.”
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The 122nd Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was first approved on 23 July 1924, less than six years after the end of World War I. During World War II, it was redesignated for the 122nd Field Artillery Battalion—the one that would merge with the 124th and 208th—on 13 November 1942. January 1961 saw the insignia redesignated for the 122nd Artillery under CARS, and in July 1972 it was redesignated for the 122nd Field Artillery Regiment (again).
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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
Full 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.