The history of the California Army National Guard's 340th Brigade Support Battalion stretches back to the organization of Troop C, Cavalry in the California National Guard on 5 August 1895, a unit that by 1959 had become the 149th Tank Battalion. On 1 May 1959, it was consolidated with the 170th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (originally constituted 3 July 1946 as the 118th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron in the California National Guard) to form the 149th Armor.
That Regiment was redesignated as the 149th Armored Regiment on 1 October 2005 before consolidating with the 340th Support Battalion (originally formed in 1985 as the 3rd Support Battalion, 40th Infantry Division Support Command), with the newly merged unit designated as the 340th Support Battalion.
The Battalion’s lineage and heritage includes battle honors from World War I (uninscribed), World War II (Philippine Islands) and the War on Terrorism (campaign participation TBD), as well as three Presidential Unit Citations and one Philippine Presidential Unit Citation from World War II action in the Philippines. As of Autumn 2023, the 340th Brigade Support Battalion is an active unit in the California Army National Guard.
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Support units have traditionally been associated with the colors buff and scarlet, with buff specifically standing for the Supply mission. In the chief (upper third), a white cross on a scarlet background represents the medical aspect of the unit’s mission, with white symbolizing purity and integrity. Two spanners (wrenches) arranged saltirewise (“x” shape) are an allusion to the organization’s solidity and its support for the maintenance aspect of the mission.
The 340th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, often referred to as "DUI" or as a "unit crest," was approved in September 1985. The interlocking lines in the shield’s center are called frets; they symbolize the interdependent and multiple support functions of the unit. A lion’s visage evokes the concepts of pride, strength, and determination that are central to the character of the Battalion and reinforces the message of the motto “Pride Service Support.”
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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.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.