Often referred to as “unit crests,” Distinctive Unit Insignias (DUIs) typically feature far more complex designs than Shoulder Sleeve Insignias (colored versions of SSIs are also used for Combat Service ID Badges), but in the case of the 15th Signal Brigade, the two types of insignias are almost identical.
Just as with the SSI, the field of the 15th Signal Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia is divided into orange and white halves by a bend dexter (horizonal line from viewer’s upper left to lower right), but here a simple line is used rather than the lightning flash found on the unit patch. Similarly, the unit crest has a lighted lamp in the upper right white field to represent the illumination provided by the 15th Signal Brigade as part of its mission to train new Signal units. But the lamp here is outlined in gold, a heraldic color signifying excellence or high achievement.
The orange lower-half field, on the other hand, is conspicuously empty on the Distinctive Unit Insignia, while the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia has a signal flag on a baton; the flag is taken from a badge first worn in 1865 called the Order of the Signal Corps. At the bottom is the unit motto, absent from the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, of “FIDELITER SERVIMUS,” which translates as “Faithful Service” or “We Serve Faithfully.”
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Also known as unit crests, Distinctive Unit Insignias (DUIs) 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 (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.For Enlisted personnel, the insignia is 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.Related Items15th Signal Brigade Patch (SSI)