Originally constituted as the 18th Medical Brigade at Fort Lee (renamed Fort Gregg-Adams in Spring 2023) in Virginia on 18 August 1967, the 18th Military Command (Deployment Support) is based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii and serves as the Administrative Control for Pacific Regional Medical Command and Operational Control to United States Army Pacific Command. While designated 18th Medical Command based in the Republic of Korea, the unit was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation by the U.S. Navy for its contributions to Team Spirit ’89, a joint military exercise conducted by the U.S. and South Korea involving roughly 200,000 U.S. and Republic of Korea troops. During the run-up to and and launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Command was also honored with an Army Superior Unit Award.
In the 18th Medical Command Distinctive Unit Insignia, or unit crest, a maroon cross and a golden sun the centerpiece of the design. The cross is always a sign of care in military heraldry, and in this case it is a Maltese Cross taken from the Knights of Malta, who were famed as the Knights Hospitaler; the Knights of St John; and Order of the Hospital of St. John, which provided medical care those making pilgrimages to the Holy Land. In total, they recall the three responsibilities of the unit's motto of "TRUST LABOR COURAGE." a careful examination of the sun reveals a total of eighteen rays, the numerical designation of the Command. The base of the insignia has intertwined serpents, a reference to the Staff of Aesculapius found on the insignia of branch of the Army Medical Corps.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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 (Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia." Related Items
18th Medical Command Patch (SSI)