The Distinctive Unit Insignia of 189th Field Artillery Regiment, also known as a unit crest, was approved for the 189th Field Artillery, Oklahoma National Guard (OKNG) on 22 December 1925. As the unit underwent reorganizations and redesignations, the insignia was redesignated accordingly. On 7 October 1942 it was redesignated for the 189th Field Artillery Battalion, OKNG; for the 189th Artillery, OKNG on 1 November 1960; for the 189th Field Artillery, OKNG on 27 November 1964; and for the 189th Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard on 29 April 1997.
A red shield is used for the insignia to denote the unit’s past role as a Field Artillery organization. The blue bend denotes Federal recognition of the unit as a National Guard organization, and the silver octagon suggests the Eighth Corps. HONORIS CUSTOS, Latin for “The Guardian Of Honor,” is the Regimental motto.
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. 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.
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Constituted at the start of the 1920s in the Oklahoma National Guard, the 189th Regiment began it service life as the 189th Field Artillery Regiment, comprising two battalions and an element of the 45th Division (45th Infantry Division after February 1942). After being drafted into Federal service in 1940, the Regiment was broken up in February 1942, with the 1st Battalion becoming the 189th Field Artillery Battalion and the 2nd being reorganized as the 202nd Field Artillery Regiment. The 202nd would further be reorganized as its 1st Battalion was redesignated as the 202nd Field Artillery Battalion and its 2nd the 961st Field Artillery Battalion.
During World War II, the units in the 189th’s lineage fought in a total of campaigns that were credited to the Regiment as a whole, and during the Korean War the units took part in four campaigns. It marked the last combat for the unit, which was redesignated as the 189th Regiment in 1997 and given the task of supervising and operating the Oklahoma National Guard’s Regional Training Institute (RTI).
Sometimes referred to as the 189th RTI or the 189th Regiment Regional Training Institute, the facility provides education and professional training for both Enlisted Soldier and Officers from all three components of the Army (active-duty, Reserve, National Guard) regardless of their home state or unit affiliation. Advanced training in Military Occupational Specialties such as Field Artillery and Health Care are available, as well leadership courses (Advanced Leader, Senior Leader), Instruction training (Army Basic Instructor, Platoon Trainer Qualification, etc.), and an Officer Candidate School.