Originally activated 1 June 1966 as the 33rd Finance Section at Fort Lewis, Washington, the 33rd Financial Management Support Unit participated in five campaigns in the Vietnam War before its inactivation on 19 September 1968. It was redesignated as the 33rd Finance Center on 1 April 1985 and activated at Fort Drum in New York, and since that time has undergone three reorganizations and redesignations: 33rd Finance Support Unit (October 1988), 33rd Finance Battalion (October 1992) and of course its current designation as a Financial Management Support Unit. In addition to its Vietnam War service, the unit also earned battle honors for the Southwest Asia conflict (i.e., First Gulf War), taking part in all three campaigns that comprised Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. As of Summer 2023, the unit is a component of the Special Troops Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
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The 33rd Financial Management Support Unit Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), frequently referred to as a unit crest, is taken from the shield of the unit’s coat of arms and combined with the unit motto of “Mountain Paymasters,” reflecting the unit’s association with the 10th Mountain Division since 1985. The coat of arms was approved on 18 October 1993 while the unit was still a battalion, but it has since been redesignated for its current status as a Financial Management Support Unit. Silver gray and gold are colors associated with the Finance Corps, and the use of countercharging (alternating color pattern) reflects the unit’s flexibility. A mountain is a symbol of strength and support, and the roundels beneath it suggest coins; the two colors of the three coins denotes the numerical designation of the unit.
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.