The design of the 71st Transportation Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), or unit crest, pays homage to its varied history in several ways. But the unit motto of “Full Speed Ahead”—of devoting all the unit’s history toward fulfilling its current mission objective—is a constant regardless of the task it has been assigned.
The Philippine sun at the top of the insignia reflects the Battalion’s service in World War II, where it took part in campaigns in the East Indies, New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, and the Phlippines, earning a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its role in helping liberate the island from Japanese invaders. An Arrowhead in brick rid and buff (gold) denotes taking part in an assault landing, while the disc with wavy bars refers both to overseas campaigns and to the unit’s designation as a shipping terminal during the Vietnam War. And its time designated as a Helicopter and then a Transport Aircraft battalion is celebrated with the golden wings in the upper half of the insignia.
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. 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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The 71st Transportation began its existence as the 2nd Battalion 58th Quartermaster Regiment. Following the end of the Second World War, it was converted and redesignated as the 71st Transportation Corps Truck Battalion. This would mark the first of many redesignations over the course of the next twenty-plus years; designations included 71s Transportation Battalion (Helicopter) (1954-1959), 71st Transportation Battalion (Transport Aircraft) (1963-1966), 71st Transportation Battalion (Terminal) (1966 to 1972), and 71st Transportation Battalion (1986-2017). In addition to its World War II and Vietnam service, the Battalion also deployed to Kuwait and Iraq during the First Gulf War, where it served as the Command and Control element for those activated Reserve and National Guard also deployed there.
On 12 December 2017, the Training And Doctrine Command issued orders authorizing the inactivation of the 71st Transportation Battalion, but on 12 July 2023 the Transportation School conducted the Activation and Change of Command of the 71st Transportation Battalion at Fort Gregg-Adams (formerly Fort Lee) in Virginia.