Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 1 Distinctive Unit Insignia J. Wheeler Hammontree

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 2 Introduction Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUIs – commonly and erroneously referred to as ‘unit crests’) are the item of heraldic insignia around which much of a unit’s esprit d’corps centers. The design of the DUI serves as the unit’s badge and is often used on non- official items such as unit coins, t-shirts, mugs, etc.

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 3 Agenda Background History Forms The Regimental Distinctive Insignia (RDI)

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 4 Background DUI show unit assignment at regiment level and below DUI of assigned unit are worn on the epaulets of the service uniform and on the beret flash of enlisted personnel Permanent units of at least 250 troops may be authorized a DUI

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 5 History The DUI were a natural development from the Coats of Arms first developed for units after WWI The first unit to be approved to wear a DUI was the 51 st Coast Artillery in March 1922 (Born, 1999)Born

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 6 Forms Coat of Arms (COA) based Non-COA based

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 7 Forms – COA Based Those units authorized a COA often use it as the basis of the DUI The DUI may consist of the shield, the crest, a combination of both, or the main charge The motto is often included in the design

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 8 Forms – Shield Based Click image for link to TIOH description

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 9 Forms – Crest Based Click image for link to TIOH description DUIs with beasts are often directional; worn so the beast faces forward

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 10 Forms – Combined Shield and Crest Click image for link to TIOH description

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 11 Forms – Charge Based Click image for link to TIOH description

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 12 Forms – Non-COA Based Units not authorized COA Command level units, Brigade and higher Some COA holding units use completely different designs for the DUI

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 13 Forms – Non-COA – Units not authorized COA Click image for link to TIOH description

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 14 Forms – Non-COA – Commands Click image for TIOH description

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 15 Forms – Non-COA – COA holding units

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 16 Regimental Distinctive Insignia (RDI) The RDI is simply the DUI of the soldier’s affiliated (parent) regiment The RDI is worn on the right breast of the service, dress, and mess uniforms The worn RDI and DUI are the same for soldiers assigned to their affiliated unit

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 17 Bibliography Born, K.M. The Quartermaster Heraldic Section & the U.S. Army Institute of HeraldryThe Quartermaster Heraldic Section & the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry

Military Heraldry Group -- IHSoc 18 Where to Get More Information The Institute of Heraldry Quartermaster Foundation Museum