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 (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.
Enlisted personnel wear the insignia centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.
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.
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The Institute of Heraldry does not have an entry for the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 146th Support Battalion, which was active from 1 September 1997 until 1 September 2005. While detailed descriptions of its symbolism are not possible, general concepts related to the unit’s mission as a Support unit are clearly expressed in the design.
Behind the shield portion of the insignia is a chevron, universal symbol of support in heraldry. In the center of the insignia is a cross with the four main compass points terminating in arrows, denoting the worldwide scope of the Support mission and the unit’s capability to provide it anywhere. Blue wavy bands are typically associated with water; they may refer to either an overseas deployment or to rivers or lakes in the organization’s home state of Michigan. The color buff used in the insignia is associated with Support units, and the motto “Supply Support Satisfy” clearly encapsulates the organization’s mission.
The 146th Support Battalion was a unit in the Michigan Army National Guard created on 1 September 1997 through the reorganization and redesignation of the 107th Support Battalion. Just eight years later, it was consolidated with the HQ and HQ Detachment, 107th Quartermaster Battalion to create a new unit retaining the latter’s designation. After being called into Federal service in 2006, the 107th Quartermaster Battalion was consolidated with HQ and HQ Detachment, 746th Maintenance Battalion to form the HQ and HQ Detachment, 246th Transportation Battalion.