The 218th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia—commonly called a unit crest or referred to as a DUI—was originally approved fore the 163rd Support Battalion on 14 September 1977; it was subsequently approved for the 281th Support Battalion with an effective redesignation date of 1 September 2008. The 218th Support Battalion was subsequently redesignated as the 218th Brigade Support Battalion, South Carolina Army National Guard, but was inactivated in August 2020.
“We Support The Load,” motto of both the 163rd and 218th Support Battalions, displays the dedication of the Battalion personnel to ensuring mission success even if a particular duty is difficult and performed behind the scenes, as is often the case with Support units. The combination of yellow and scarlet in the center of the insignia is used often in heraldry for Support organizations and signifies the Battalion’s history in that role.
On either side of the yellow band are blue bars with wavy white areas; these simulate water and allude to the area in the Mediterranean where elements of the once served during the Second World War. The red chevron is, of course, a heraldic sign of support, but the color red used for it recalls Hampton’s “Red Shirts” and, along with the crescent taken from the state flag of South Carolina, serves to identify the location and home area of the Battalion.
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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.