U.S. ARMY DENTAL ACTIVITY, FORT POLK UNIT CREST (DUI)

More commonly known as a “unit crest” or DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) of the U.S. Army Dental Activity, Fort Polk was approved on 3 April 1980. It was cancelled when unit was discontinued with an effective final wear date of 30 September 2016.

In the middle of the insignia is a stole, a vestment worn by priests of many different Christian denominations. But in this case it refers to a single denomination—the Episcopal Church—because it represents the Right Reverend Leonidas Polk, a General in the Confederate army who was also the Bishop of Louisiana for whom the Fort was named. Though considered an average General at best, the “Fighting Bishop” was much-loved by his Soldiers. He died during the Battle of Atlanta, victim of a well-placed artillery round.

The red cross on the flag, known as the cross of St. George, is taken from the Episcopal Church flag, and besides alluding to Polk’s denomination it is also a sign of the historical mission of mercy that Medical units have long performed. "Military Professionals" is the organization's motto.


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.