More often referred to as a unit crest or as a DUI for short, the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 173rd Engineer Battalion was originally approved on 17 June 2010 for the Special Troops Battalion, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team on 17 June 2010. It was given its current designation, along with updated symbolism, on 1 September 2015. As of Spring 2022, the insignia is worn by the 173rd Brigade Engineer Battalion.
The striking imagery of a pair of wolf’s head facing each other alludes to the Wolf Pack Battalion and the combined mission of each company within the Battalion while it was serving as a Special Troops Battalion. A stylized red taken from the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team denotes the Battalion’s affiliation with that Infantry organization and the Battalion’s readiness for future combat operations.
Various colors are used to point to the branches from which the different Companies in the Battalion were drawn when it was organized as a Special Troops Battalion. Red is for Engineers; the oriental blue in the upper third is for Military Intelligence; and orange is for the Signal Corps. The blue tone below the wolf’s head is for Infantry, a reference to the branch of its commanding organization at the time the insignia was originally approved.
PECTUS PECTORIS LUPIS, the unit motto, is Latin for “Heart Of The Wolf.”
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
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 (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."