Approved on 22 April 1973, the 185th Military Police Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia—a device also referred to as a unit crest or DUI—pays homage to the Infantry service of the units in its lineage. Two blue swords, a pole star, and a fleur-de-lis are symbols of the organization's previous service as an Infantry unit in the Aleutians and France during World War II. The star also serves as reminder of the Battalion's new mission in law enforcement, referencing the badge of early law-enforcement officers. A gold roundel alludes to the unit's home state of California, known as the "Land of Gold." "Forged From Freedom" is the unit motto. This insignia was also worn by the 49th Military Police Battalion from 1997 to 2008, created though the consolidation of the 185th Military Police Battalion and the 49th Military Police Brigade in 1997; in 2008, it was redesignated for the 185th Military Police Battalion.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. 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.
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Organized and Federally recognized as Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 159th Infantry, an element of the 40th Division in the California National Guard on 1 July 1924, the 185th Military Police Battalion’s history comprises an extraordinarily long series of reorganizations, redesignations, consolidations, and conversions. None of its predecessors were designated as a unit in the Military Police branch until Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 159th Infantry was converted, reorganized, and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 185th Military Police Battalion in 1974.
During World War II, the unit’s forebears earned a streamer for the Aleutian Islands campaign in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and an uninscribed (i.e., no specific campaign) European-African-Middle Eastern Theater streamer. Other battle honors in its history include two campaigns in the Southwest Asia campaign (known colloquially as the First Gulf War) and a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in Iraq during 2005-2006.
Currently under state control, the 185th Military Police Battalion is a California Army National Guard unit headquartered in Pittsburg, California and assigned to the 49th Military Police Brigade.