The 5th MP Battalion (CID) is headquartered in Kleber Kaserne in the city of Kaiserlautern, Germany, where it serves a dual role of providing investigative support for Army interests and protective services for personnel in Europe and Africa who are deemed to be at high risk of peril or harm. The Battalion has sixteen offices in Europe with the majority (eleven) located in Germany, three in Belgium, one in Italy, and one in Kosovo.
The 5th Military Police Battalion (CID) was constituted as an investigative unit as 5th Section, Criminal Investigation on 26 December 1942. It has undergone blurrying number of activations/inactivations, redesignations, and reorganizations, finally receiving its current designation on 1 September 1996. The unit’s campaign participation credits encompass World War II (three), Vietnam (four) and one for the Global War on Terrorism. It was also the recipient of an Army Superior Unit Award in 2009 for its work in Europe in Support of the Global War on Terror, as well as a Meritorious Unit Commendations for support of Operation New Dawn (20 February 11 to 6 February 12).
The Battalion’s nickname of “The Professionals” is reflected in the unit motto of “Professionals Always” on the unit crest.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."