The 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 27 April 1990, more than fifteen months before the Battalion was organized and Federally recognized on 16 January 1992. “Insight Through Inquiry,” the Battalion motto, is inscribed in silver on a scroll of oriental blue, the Military Intelligence branch color, beneath the shield portion of the insignia. A lightning flash denotes the Signal Intelligence gathered by the organization; the key symbolizes knowledge, security, and authority; and the black sword denotes covert operations and military readiness. The globe in the center reflects the worldwide scope of the mission.
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Based in San Francisco, the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion was first called into active Federal service from 10 February 2003 to 25 May 2004, when it was assigned to the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; a detachment from the Battalion was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for its service during this deployment. A Detachment from the Battalion’s B Company earned a Valorous Unit Award for an Operation Enduring Freedom deployment between May and November 2013, and another Detachment, Company B was honored with an MUC for its service between November 2013 and April 2014. In March of 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom activated the Battalion for emergency state active duty involving the packing and distribution of food boxes for food banks in San Jose, Contra Costa, and Napa during COVID-19 outbreak.
As of Autumn 2023, the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion remains an active unit in the California Army National Guard, where it is assigned to the 115th Regional Support Group.