Distinctive unit insignia

Distinctive ornamentation of a design desired by the organization was authorized for wear on the Mess Jacket uniform by designated organizations (staff corps, departments, corps of artillery, and infantry and cavalry regiments) per War Department General Order 132 dated December 31, 1902.

War Department Circular 244, 1921 states: "It has been approved, in principle, that regiments of the Regular Army and National Guard may wear distinctive badges or trimmings on their uniforms as a means of promoting esprit de corps and keeping alive historical traditions.

Various organizations which carry colors or standards have generally submitted coats of arms having certain historical significance.

A check is made by the Institute of Heraldry to determine the availability of a current copy of the lineage and honor statement and/or history for the unit.

Each manufacturer has an identifying hallmark assigned by the Institute of Heraldry which is applied to the back of the insignia.

Once a distinctive unit insignia is approved, it is changed only when a heraldic or historical error is found.

[2] The distinctive unit insignia of the unit to which the soldier is assigned are worn as follows:[3] When a DUI is authorized, all personnel assigned to the organization wear the insignia, except general officers, the Sergeant Major of the Army and the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman.

General officers wear their regimental distinctive insignia (RDI) on the black pullover sweater.

The Sergeant Major of the Army and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (if a soldier) wear, respectively, the SMA and SEAC collar insignia in lieu of the DUI on their pullover sweaters and berets, but their epaulets are bare.