U.S. ARMY 17TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT UNIT CREST (DUI)

In the 100-plus years since it was constituted on 1 July 1916, the 17th Field Artillery Regiment has taken part in campaigns of both World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the Southwest Asia conflict (First Gulf War), with some of its many Battalions also being deployed in the War on Terrorism since 2001. Among the honors the Regiment has been awarded are three French Croix de Guerre for World War I (two with Palm, one with Fourragere), a World War II French Croix de Guerre (with Silver-Gilt Star), a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, a Presidential Unit Citation during the Vietnam War, and a Valorous Unit Award for Iraq.

The 17th Field Artillery Regimental Distinctive Insignia (DUI), sometimes called a “unit crest,” was approved on 25 March 1920, less than four years after its formation and obviously before it had fought in so many of the campaigns for which its service would be rewarded. Following World War I, the Regiment occupied Fortress Ehrenbreitstein, giving it a chance to live out its motto: “In Time of Peace Prepare For War.” The diagonal bendlet is emblazoned with American colors, while the canton in the insignia’s upper-right corner is a device taken from the arms of the 8th Field Artillery, reflecting the fact that Soldiers from that Regiment were used to form the 17th Field Artillery Regiment.

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.