The United States Army Individual Ready Reserve Distinctive Unit Insignia, better known to Soldiers as a “unit crest” or DUI, was approved for wear on 14 October 1980. It was subsequently amended to revise the symbolism on 18 August 1987.
Composed only of our national colors of red, white, and blue, the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) unit crest features a triangular shape that recalls the tricorn hat worn during Colonial and Revolutionary War periods, thus recalling the readiness of individual citizens during those periods to defend their country. A small star in the center of a white annulet stands for the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center, the organization that provides central management for those in the IRR and coordinates their assignments. The four arrows aligned to the four primary compass points are an allusion to the possible worldwide assignments and locations of the Reservists who participate in the IRR. A disc divided into blue and red is symbolic of the program’s participant’s dual status as Civilians and Reservists.Members of the Army's Individual Ready Reserve are trained personnel who have previously served in the Active Army or Selected Reserve, many of whom have recently left Active Duty and still have an Army Reserve commitment.
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Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. For Enlisted personnel, the insignia is centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.
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.
Related Items
Individual Ready Reserve Unit Crest (SSI)