Nicknamed “Vigilant” from its unit motto “Vigilant And Always Ready,” the Special Troops Battalion of 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat was formed from the Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division on 16 October 2005. Simultaneously, the 4th Brigade’s HQ was redesignated as Headquarters for the 4th Brigade Combat Team.
In 2008, the Special Troops Battalion, also known as the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, was inactivated and reflagged as the STB for the 4th BCT, 1st Armored Division on 4 March 2008. Three days later, the 1st Cavalry Division’s loss was made good when when the STB, 4th BCT, 1st Infantry Division was reflagged as 1st Cav’s STB, 4th BCT.
The Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division was inactivated in October at the same time as the entire BCT in October 2013.
Component unit iconography is found on the Distinctive Unit Insignia (also called a DUI or unit crest) of Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Military Intelligence was the bailiwick of Company A, symbolized by a key that unlocks information for military success; the Signal functions of Company B are evoked by the lightning flash in the Signal Corps’ color of orange; and a green sword hilt is an allusion to the Military Police role of Company C.
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The 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.