Also called a DUI or a unit crest, the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the Fires Battalion, 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division features the unit motto—CELOX ET ACCURATUS, Latin for “Fast And Accurate—in gold script (the color of excellence) on a black scroll (the color of strength and solidarity). The focal point of the insignia is a crossed cannon and lightning flash, with the cannon obviously symbolizing the main mission of a Fires unit and the flash a visual reminder of the speed with which those Fires can be directed at a target.
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.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The Fires Battalion was part of the 5th Brigade Combat Team, also known as the Army Evaluation Task Force (AETF). AETF had been organized with many Soldiers who had seen combat and therefore could bring that experience to the table when testing and evaluating new weapons and equipment. One of its primary tasks was to test the Future Force Warrior system, the part of a program known as Future Combat System focusing on technology to be utilized by individual Soldiers.
Following the cancellation of Future Combat Systems in 2009, the AETF continued its mission by focusing on the transformation of the Army to the modular brigade system with Brigade Combat Teams at its core.
In 2010, the 5th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division was inactivated, including its component units such as the Fires Battalion. On 19 September 2013, Army HQ recognized the outstanding job performed by the 5th Brigade Combat Team and its component units by awarding them an Army Superior Unit Award for the period 1 October 2007 to 3 August 2009, with both the HQ and HQ Battery and Battery A of the Fires Battalion specifically cited in the General Orders detailing the award.