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."
The Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) of the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion was originally approved for the 96th Civil Affairs Group on 6 June 1969. It was redesignated in 1980 for the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion with revised symbolism reflecting the location of the unit.
Two sunbursts are used to represent the two locations the Battalion has been headquartered. The sunburst on the left stands for the Presidio of Monterey, California, where the unit was first activated; it stands for the setting sun. On the right, the sunburst is Fort Liberty (formerly known as Fort Bragg) in North Carolina and stands for the sun rising in the east. A scroll with sword alludes to the organization’s capabilities of bring civil order and maintaining it, while the demi-glob behind it illustrates the global reach of the unit’s mission. The purple swath and white scroll incorporate the colors of the Civil Affairs branch. “Advise Maintain Create” is the motto of the Battalion.
The 96th Military Battalion’s heritage goes back to 25 August 1945 and the constitution of the 96th HQ and HQ Detachment, Military Government Group. Activate the following day, the Group would quickly inactivate in January 1949 and not reactivate until 18 years later on 25 August 1967 as the 96th Civil Affairs Group. It was reorganized and redesignated as the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion on 26 November 1971.
The Battalion’s military decorations include a Meritorious Unit Commendation earned during two campaigns of the First Gulf War and two Army Superior Unit Awards (1998-1999, 2003-2004), with its B, C, D, and E companies entitled to individual awards that total three Valorous Unit Awards and four Meritorious Unit Commendations.
One of five Civil Affairs Battalions in the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) is the only active-component, airborne Civil Affairs asset available to the United States Central Command.
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