A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per fess indented Or and Gules, on the first a giant Saguaro cactus of the last, between two rays issuing from fess point to dexter and sinister chief Azure, all between two fleurs-de-lis of the second, a border of the first. Attached below the shield a Gold scroll inscribed WE PREPARE THE WAY in Red.
The use of the shield of the coat of arms originally approved for the 195th Field Artillery Regiment, differenced by a border, indicates the descent of the 297th Field Artillery Battalion from the 2d Battalion of that organization. Red and yellow are used for the cactus for Mexican Border service, and the fleurs-de-lis for combat service in World War I, indicate further descent of the battalion through the 2d Infantry Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Militia and the 161st Field Artillery Regiment. The indented line dividing the field is used to represent artillery fire.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 297th Field Artillery Battalion on 23 June 1955. It was redesignated for the 174th Military Police Battalion on 4 April 1961. It was redesignated for the 174th Quartermaster Battalion on 27 June 1966. The insignia was amended to correct the blazon of the shield on 23 September 1966. It was redesignated for the 174th Supply and Service Battalion on 10 April 1968. It was redesignated for the 174th Maintenance Battalion on 17 June 1998. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 June 2015, with the description corrected, for the 997th Support Battalion.