The Army began converting Personnel Service Companies into Personnel Services Battalions in the mid-1990s (1994–1995) in accord with the goals and objectives outlined in Field Manual No. 12-6,
Personnel Doctrine, published in September 1994. The Personnel Services Battalion (PSB) was responsible for tasks associated various personnel services, including database management of personnel accounting and strength assessments, management of casualty operations, and overseeing personnel information management. As a modular unit, the PSB consisted of a Headquarters with four staff sections, S1 through S4 (i.e, Personnel, Intelligence/Security, Operations, Supply), between two and six identical personnel detachments, and a postal company. PSB commanders could tailor this basic structure to fit the needs of their specific missions.
The concept of the PSB was rather short-lived; the Army began replacing the battalions with Human Resource Companies in the early 200s as part of the Army’s transformation to a modular, brigade-centric organization. The last Personnel Services Battalion in the Active Army was inactivated during a ceremony held 18 June 2008 in Bamberg, Germany.
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Also known as a unit crest or DUI, 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.
The 5th Personnel Services Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI, or unit crest) is rendered primarily in dark blue and scarlet, the colors of the Adjutant General Corps; gold is the color of excellence and high achievement. A point-down sword is a symbol of authority, while the V shape of the scarlet field recalls the unit’s numerical designation. “The Best Serving The Best” is the unit motto.