U.S. ARMY 146TH MEDICAL BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)

The 146th Medical Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on 18 May 2006. Its ultramarine tones represent the Great Lakes and the state of Michigan. Michigan is also symbolized by the griffin segreant (analogous to a lion rampant, standing on two hind legs with forepaws raised), which recalls the French influence in the origins of the area. A six-pointed star denotes the types of missions carried out by the Battalion, which became the first Multifunctional Medical Battalion in the United States Army.

The star’s green color denotes medicine, and the maroon cross is a common emblem of the Medical Department; gold used throughout the insignia indicates excellence. Lightning flashes streaking downward from the top two corners of the shield are a reference to the Multifunctional Medical Battalion’s Early Entry Element and denote a fast response to mission requirements. COPIAE VALETUDO TUTELA is Latin for “Force Health Protection,” and the light blue of the scroll on which it is inscribed is the color of the Department of Defense.


The 146th Medical Battalion is a unit in the Michigan Army National Guard and the first unit in any component of the United States Army to become a Multifunctional Medical Battalion. It is assigned to the Michigan ARNG’s Region 1 and is headquartered at Ypsilanti. In July 2009, it was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in Iraq between 24 September 2006 and 15 September 2007 as the first completely transformed Multifunctional Medical Battalion forward deployed in support of combat operations, where it provided outstanding medical care across the entire theater of operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.