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 (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."
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The imagery found on the Distinctive Unit Insignia of Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division reflects the nature of the Battalion’s formation and its support functions as part of the Division’s Iron Brigade (the brigade was later redesignated as a Heavy BCT and then an Armor BCT before its inactivation).
A phoenix rising from an orange flame is the focal point of the insignia, symbolizing the “rebirth” of the 3rd Brigade’s Headquarters Company as a Special Troops Battalion in the newly formed 3rd Brigade Combat Team on 16 December 2004; the Battalion was dubbed "Phoenix" in reference to the eye-catching insignia. The Battalion’s HQ was formed through the redesignation of the 4th Engineer Battalion, represented by the scarlet color of the embattled tower below the orange flame which stands for the Battalion’s Signal unit (the 534th Signal Company.)
Rounding out the Battalion was a Military Intelligence company (formerly C Company, 104th Military Intelligence Battalion). The unit motto, “SUBPONA PER INCENDIA,” is a Latin phrase that roughly translates into English as “Born Through Fire.”
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division was activated on 1 October 1963, but the unit’s history stretches back to the organization as Headquarters, 8th Infantry Brigade in December 1917; assigned to the 4th Division (later 4th Infantry Division), the Brigade took part in five campaigns during World War I. Disbanded from July 1940 until 1963, the Brigade deployed to Vietnam and earned credit for participation in nine campaigns, earning a Presidential Unit Citation and a Valorous Unit Award, three Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm, and a Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Medal.
Still designated as the HHC, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, the unit deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003; it was honored with a Valorous Unit Awards for its actions during that tour. Following its reorganization as a Special Troops Battalion in late 2004, its outstanding performance was also recognized with two Meritorious Unit Commendations for deployments in 2005 – 2006 and 2010 – 2011, along with another Valorous Unit Award.
In a ceremony held 27 March 2014 at Founders Field, Fort Carson, the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division—also referred to as 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division—cased its colors as a sign of deactivation before being reactivated as the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). At the same time, the ABCT was augmented with the addition of the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment.