The 138th Finance Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia—commonly called “unit crest” or a DUI—was approved on 30 March 1994. In the center of the shield portion of the insignia is a compass rose, signifying the global scope and worldwide range of the activities that comprise the unit’s mission. A bezant (old gold coin) forms the heart of the compass, symbolizing fiscal solvency and responsibility. The shield’s red bordure represents the broad breadth of duties involved in the modern finance mission.
Silver and yellow are used in the insignia to denote the organization as part of the Finance branch; they also recall the widespread use of silver and gold coins as “hard money.” Red in the bordure stands for sacrifice, courage, and valor; blue is for integrity and loyalty. “Support Anywhere Anytime” is the motto of the unit and its laudable goal.
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 (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.
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The 138th Finance Battalion served under that designation until it was redesignated at some point after 2010. It is currently designated as the 138th Financial Management Support Unit, a component of the 38th Sustainment Brigade, 38th Infantry, but a lack of readily accessible unit records makes it difficult to determine if it held any other designations between those two. It is based in Indianapolis and commands the 176th, 177th, and 178th Financial Management Detachments.