Approved for the 16th Cavalry on 28 October 1958, the 16th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (often called a unit crest or DUI for short) was amended in 1960, 168, and 1970 to reflect the unit’s changing designations. The insignia commemorates the founding of the Regiment in 1916 with Soldiers from 3rd, 6th, and 14th Cavalry with its canton: Green was the color of the Mounted Rifles (3rd Cavalry), the embattled partition recalls the 6th Cavalry’s first engagement and its assault on earthworks at Williamsburg in 1862, and the 14th’s numerical designation and branch (horseshoe for Cavalry) are displayed.
The blue chevron is for the old blue uniform worn by Cavalry, and the 16 stars (mullets) indicate the Regiment’s numerical designation. “Strike Hard,” the Regimental motto, is an allusion to the rattlesnake on the crest of the coat of arms.
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.
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.