The design of the United States Army Central Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, was originally approved for Third Army in October 1968. Four decades later, Third Army would be redesignated as U.S. Army Central, but the new command retained the Third Army unit crest because it reflected a rich heritage of outstanding service and unswerving commitment to defending the nation.
An "A" inside a circle evokes the imagery of the Army Central Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, also inherited from the Third Army; it represents the Third Army's original mission of serving as an Army of Occupation in Germany following World War I. The fleur-de-lis beneath the "A" are a reference to the unit's formation at Ligny-Barrois in France, while the five stars (called "mullets" in heraldric terminology) stand for the five World War II campaigns in which Third Army took part. The motto “Tertia Semper Prima” is Latin for “The Third Always First,” a play on the unit’s numerical designation that became even more meaningful when Third Army was the first numbered army to be given a new designation based on the combatant command it served (United States Central Command).
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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. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be 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. Related Items
U.S. Army Central Patch (SSI)
U.S. Army Central Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)