Also known as a unit crest or DUI, a 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 (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.
Enlisted personnel wear the insignia centered on a shoulder loop by placing it an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the shoulder-loop button. Officers (except Generals) wearing grade insignia on the shoulder loops center the DUI by placing it an equal distance between the inside edge of the grade insignia and the outside edge of the button.
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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The 427th Medical Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia, approved on 17 February 1995, reflects the units origins in the Medical Corps with a shield of maroon, the color traditionally associated with Medical units and the Corps’ primary color since 1916. While the appearance of the Rod of Aesculapius is certainly expected on the insignia of a Medical Corps unit, two are used here to reflect the medical care rendered in two World Wars. Between the Rods is a pheon (arrow shape) with a red collar; the pheon is employed to signify the fields of combat and the red collar is an allusion to the Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUCs) the organization was awarded (red is the color of the MUC streamer).
The color gold is used liberally throughout the excellence to emphasize the unit’s record of high achievements and its steadfast commitment to excellent service, reinforcing the unit motto of “Supply Excellence Always.”
Note: The unit for which this insignia was last approved does not appear to be active and may have been redesignated, reorganized, inactivated, or disbanded.