The 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), commonly called a unit crest, was approved on 8 July 1971 while the unit was designated the 147th Artillery Group; it would not receive its current designation as a Maneuver Enhancement Brigade until 1 September 2009.
The scarlet scroll with the inscription of the unit motto “We Serve Proudly,” along with the green olive branch (viewer’s left) and laurel branch, combine to form a reference to the two decorations the unit was awarded in World War II: a Meritorious Unit Commendation for the Pacific Theater and a French Croix de Guerre with Palm inscribed BELVEDERE. The olive branch and triangle specifically refer to actions Monte Belvedere, Italy in support of the 3rd Algerian Division. Its service as part of the 34th Quartermaster Company, 34th Infantry Division is referenced by the central buff (gold) disc.
A trio of black discs, called gunstones, are in honor of the unit’s service in the Philippine Insurrection and bot World Wars. The seventeen rays of the sun upon which the buff disc rests represents seventeen campaigns; the sun is also a reference to the imagery on the South Dakota state flag.
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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. 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.
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.Related Items
196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Patch (SSI)196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)