The 305th Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a unit crest or a DUI, was originally approved for the 305th Army Security Agency Battalion on 27 September 1957 and was redesignated the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion on 18 June 1990. Teal blue and white, the unit crest’s predominant tones, are associated with the former Army Security Agency Battalion. The crossed implements are pyrotechnic projectors that symbolize the signal and reconnaissance missions of the unit.
A four-pointed star alludes to the four battle honors the unit earned in World War II and also represents the four functions of Military Intelligence (Intelligence, Reconnaissance, Communications, and Signal), and its orange hue is a further reference to the Signal function (orange is the official branch color of the Signal Corps). The “X” shape made by the pyrotechnic projectors is known in heraldry as a saltire, and here it is an emblem symbolizing the southern states that make up the Third Army’s area and which serve as the Battalion’s home. AD ARACANA TUTANDA, the unit motto, is Latin for “To Keep Official Secrets Safe.”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. 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.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 305th Military Battalion was originally constituted as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 305th Communication Reconnaissance Battalion in the Organized Reserve Corps on 17 November 1950 and activated 23 January 1951 at Atlanta, Georgia. It was consolidated with the 3255th Signal Service Company on 17 July 1951 to create the HHD, 305th Communication Reconnaissance Battalion; it was from the unit’s heritage and lineage the Battalion acquired World War II battle honors for the Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns.
In January 1956, the unit was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 305th Reconnaissance Battalion, with the existing 362nd Communication Reconnaissance Company concurrently redesignated as the Battalion’s A Company and activated at Wilmington, NC. Nine months later, it was redesignated as the 305th Army Security Agency Battalion on 1 October 1956 and subsequently was inactivated on 15 June 1959.
Over thirty years elapsed before the unit was given its current designation of 305th Military Intelligence Battalion on 1 February 1990, and simultaneously withdrawn from the Army Reserve and allotted to the Regular Army. On 18 May 1990, its Headquarters were transferred to the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and activated at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.
As of Autumn 2023, the Battalion is assigned to the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade and is stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Its mission is to provide Initial Entry Training For Soldiers in two Military Occupational Specialties, All Source Intelligence Analyst (35F) and Geospatial Imagery Intelligence Analyst (35G).