Do enlisted personnel ever not wear their Distinctive Unit ID?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 13:21:37 -0400

As a cadet and prior service, I wear my ASUs to functions, but there's debate whether or not DUI is worn - "since it's not a unit function it doesn't matter"

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2019 1:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 13:54:38 -0400

670-1, 19-21 says if an insignia is authorized all personnel wear the insignia. Couple of exceptions but very few people fall into the categories. The same section has all units authorized to wear an insignia listed, so maybe all your friends need to start wearing theirs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2019 2:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 14:10:00 -0400

Enlisted personnel do not wear the DUI on the ASU when it is worn as the dress uniform.

DA PAM 670-1

19–21. Distinctive unit insignia
a. Authorization. DUI of a design approved by The Institute on Heraldry, DA, are authorized and prescribed for wear on the service uniform of personnel in the echelons outlined in AR 670–1. The design of the DUI is metal, or metal and enamel, only.
b. By whom worn. When a DUI is authorized, all personnel assigned to the organization wear the insignia, except general officers and the SMA. General officers wear their RDI on the black pullover sweater. The SMA wears the SMA insignia in lieu of the DUI.
c. How worn.
(1) Enlisted personnel wear the DUI on the service uniform coat, centered on the shoulder loops an equal distance from the outside shoulder seam to the outside edge of the button, with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Enlisted personnel are not authorized to wear the DUI on the dress uniform (see fig 19–134).
(2) On the beret, enlisted personnel wear the DUI centered on the organizational flash. Soldiers assigned to units not authorized a DUI wear the RDI on the beret in the same manner as the DUI. The SMA and enlisted staff members as-signed to the Office of the SMA wear the SMA collar insignia in lieu of the assigned DUI. A CSM assigned as the SEAC wears the SEAC the SEAC collar insignia in lieu of the DUI designated for Joint or DOD agencies. Soldiers as-signed to units not authorized a DUI wear the RDI on the beret in the same manner as the DUI.
(3) Soldiers (except chaplains, general officers, and the SMA) wear the DUI centered above the nameplate on the black pullover cardigan, with the top edge of the insignia 1/4 inch below the top edge of the patch on the cardigan. Soldiers assigned to units not authorized the DUI wear the RDI on the black pullover cardigan in the same manner as the DUI (see fig 19–135). Soldiers currently on recruiting duty wear the recruiting badge in lieu of the DUI or RDI on the black pullover sweater. Chaplains wear their branch insignia, general officers wear the RDI, a CSM assigned a the SEAC wears SEAC insignia, the SMA and enlisted staff members assigned to the Office of the SMA wear the SMA insignia in the same manner. All Soldiers may adjust the placement of the DUI or RDI, up or down on the patch, to allow for large size DUI or RDI, or to adjust to body configuration.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 31 at 2019 4:19 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 16:19:53 -0400

So you are saying that they have NO pride in the unit/history, or are they just lazy sad sacks? The only 1 might be the DA photo- every other time, if you aren't wearing it then you are out of uniform.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 31 at 2019 9:35 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 21:35:58 -0400

Not once in 22 years of service had I ever heard that. Even as a cadet. I once drove three hours just to get the right DUI as a cadet.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 1 at 2019 11:34 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 11:34:10 -0400

DUI is not worn on Mess Dress/Dress Blues.
(Disclaimer: DUI and RDI are not synonyms).