The 377th Military Intelligence Battalion was originally constituted in the Organized Reserve Corps on 30 August 1950 as the HQ, 377th Military Intelligence Group. Activated on 26 September 1950 at Fort Myer, Virginia, the unit began a 44-year period of inactivation on 1 April 1953. Redesignated as the HQ and HQ and Service Company, 377th Military Intelligence Battalion on 28 March 1996, the Battalion was finally reactivated on 16 September 1997 with its HQ at Charlotte, North Carolina.
It would undergo a relatively brief period of inactivation (June 199 to October 2004) before being activated with its HQ at Orlando, Florida. Since that time, it has been ordered into active military service on at least two occasions (2006-08 and 2011-12) in support of the War on Terrorism. As of Autumn 2023, the Battalion is headquartered at Austin, Texas and is assigned to the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade. A component of the U.S. Army Reserve, the Battalion offers theater-level support by conducting operational and tactical collection of intelligence across a variety of disciplines, analyzing and disseminating its product in support of U.S. Army South and SOUTHCOM.
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Commonly called a unit crest or DUI for short, the 377th Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia was authorized on 18 Sep 1997. A blue-white checkered field is used for the background of the shield portion of the 377th Military Intelligence Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a unit crest. The pattern evokes the image of a chessboard and long-term strategic planning required for mission success. The sunburst in the middle of the shield is allusion to the unit motto, “Illuminate The Truth,” and the Battalion’s mission goal of acquiring data and information that serves our country’s interest.
A demi-griffin holding a sword is a symbol of valor and intelligence and represents the characteristics of the unit’s personnel; its scarlet coloring denotes courage and sacrifice, while gold used throughout the insignia is for excellence and high achievement.
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.More 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.