The 417th Base Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, more commonly referred to as a unit crest or DUI, is no longer authorized for wear. Its design features chevrons, commonly used in heraldry to denote support, rising from behind a castle wall that alludes to the location of the Battalion in central Europe.
Based in the German town of Kitzingen in northwest Bavaria, the 417th Base Support Battalion’s motto was “We Make A Difference,” an undoubtedly true claim considering that the unit was the Army’s largest Base Support Battalion in all of Europe. The Battalion was a subordinate unit of the 98th Area Support Group, which also had command and control of the 235th (Ansbach), 279th (Bamberg), and 280 (Schweinfurt) Base Support Battalions.
In Jul 2005, the 417th Base Support Battalion became the first of those units to merge with the 98th Area Support Group to create what was designated as U.S. Army Garrison Franconia.
Before its deactivation and merger, the Battalion was named the first-place European based entrant in the 2004 Army Community of Excellence program, finishing second in the world in the competition that provided extra funds to winners to be used for community improvements.
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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.
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.