U.S. ARMY 293RD SUPPORT BATTALION UNIT CREST (DUI)

The Institute of Heraldry, the most reliable source of information regarding the origins, symbolism, and history of Army insignia and other heraldic items, does not have a listing for the 293rd Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, also known as a unit crest or DUI. Similarly, the U.S. Army Center of Military History does not have an entry for the Battalion in its Lineages and Honors section. The information below was gleaned from the Web site “U.S.A Army in Germany” or from sources that are referenced on the site.

Tasked with the support of tenant and temporary Army units and their families in the Mannheim-Worms Community area of Germany, the 293rd Support Battalion—also designated as the 293rd Base Support Battalion—was responsible for the basic living provisions of some 14,000 military personnel, civilian staff, and their families.

It was created in October 1991 when the Mannheim Military Community Activity was reflagged as the 293rd Support Battalion and assigned to the 26th Area Support Group. In all, its base-support operations area eventually reached almost 950 square miles. In 2005, in a move to bring the management of Army installations in Germany in line with those around the world based upon the Standard Garrison Organization, the Battalion was reflagged as U.S. Army Garrison Mannheim.

Two chevrons, traditional heraldic symbol for support, are interlocked on the insignia to indicate cooperation and teamwork. The upright sword symbolizes both military readiness and the individual Soldiers whom the Battalion strove to serve; the gold background of the shield portion of the insignia is for excellence. A scroll of black, the color of solidarity and strength, features the inscription “We Are Here For You,” the Battalion motto that personalized the scope of its mission.


Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a 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. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.

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.