The 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team's origins go back to the constitution of Headquarters, 33rd Division in the Illinois National Guard in July 1917. Following World War I and a three-plus-year periof of demobilization, it was reorganized and Federally recognized as Headquarters, 58th Field Artillery Brigade, 33rd Division on 13 December 1923 (its HQ Detachment was organized and Federally recognized in July 1927). On 5 March 1941, the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment was inducted into Federal service, where it was again reorganized and redesignated, this time as HQ, 33rd Infantry Division.
In 1968, the HHC, 33rd Infantry Division was reorganized and redesignated as HHC, 33rd Infantry Brigade. It would retain this designation until 1997 when it was converted and redesignated as HHC, 33rd Support Group. On 1 September 2006, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 33rd Support Group was consolidated with HHC, 66th Brigade, 35th Infantry Division to create the Headquarters, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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Technically known as a Distinctive Unit Insignia or DUI for short, this unit crest was originally approved on 12 May 1930 for a unit possessing what might be the most expansive designation in the history of heraldry in the U.S. Army: 33rd Infantry Division HQ, HQ Detachment, Division Surgeon’s Officer, HQ Special Troops and Division HQ Company. After nearly three decades it was redesignated for the non-color bearing units of the 33d Infantry Brigade on 29 November 1968. On 1 October, its redesignation for the 33rd Support Group became effective. On 6 October 2006, it was given its most current designation for the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
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.
Related Items
33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Unit Patch (SSI)
33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)