The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team Distinctive Unit Insignia, commonly called a “unit crest” or DUI for short, was approved for wear on 11 June 1974. “Old Hickory Brigade,” the unit motto and/or nickname, was derived from the fact that the unit’s predecessor, the 30th Infantry Division, was made up of National Guard units drawn from areas where Andrew Jackson lived.’
A blue hornet’s nest, adapted from the crest of the coat of arms of the North Carolina Army National Guard, holds five fleur-de-lis as an allusion to the five European Theater campaigns the Brigade took part in during World War II. A sword with a blade in the colors of the Belgian Fourragere 1940 is a direct reference to the Brigade's selection to receive that honor for its service in Belgium and the Ardennes.
The laurel branch and star signify the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and with star for World War II service in France. Scarlet scroll symbolizes the sacrifice made by the Brigade's Headquarters Company to receive a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in France and England.
The Brigade has made several deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, with its Headquarters and the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of its Special Troop Battalion receiving a Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2010, in addition to two Meritorious Unit Commendations awarded to a Detachment from the Brigade’s Company A.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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 (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.