Posted on Feb 7, 2022
Prior service wear of SSI-FWTS (now apparently SSI-MOHC) in the USAF?
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I walked away from the Army NG as a CW3 qualified on multiple aircraft at 17.5 years to finish out my 20 enlisted in a local Air NG unit. As I began digging into the regulations, I was surprised to see AF uniform policy in relative shambles and the regulations poorly written and often vague. Especially when it comes to the issue of 'combat patches' worn by prior service Airmen.
I've read through the many topics on RP covering this very same topic, but they're either out-dated (prior to various re-writes of 36-2903) or missing key information. In the interest of clarification, I wanted to get some (hopefully) expert input on the issue. I realize it's a relatively trivial thing and will only apply to a minority of Airmen... if the issue is a thorn in your side, move along.
Current 36-2903 guidance only states the following:
Paragraph 5.2.6.2.5 (which is a sub-paragraph of 5.2.6.2 concerning the OCP coat left-sleeve):
Wear of other Services' qualification badges/patches, if earned and awarded, is authorized if allowed by the applicable Services’ guidance. [...] [Note: Sister Service and Joint badges/patches can be worn in their current subdued color configuration and will not be converted to the spice brown color criteria.]
As far as official guidance goes, that's all I've been able to find. I know there used to be a FAQ on the AFPC site specifically addressing and authorizing prior service combat patches, but it appears to have been removed relatively recently. If I'm just lost, someone please provide a link to the FAQ.
Going out on a limb, since the Army does not refer to its badges, scrolls, tabs, etc. as 'patches' I assume the word's inclusion here is in fact still authorizing the combat patch for wear (in it's Army subdued coloration) but I am open to other interpretations.
Lastly, there is no guidance on how they should be worn. Centered above the mandatory HHQ patch? Below? There is a similar lack/muddying of guidance when it comes to sister service qualification badges (i.e., CAB or aviator wings). Should I follow DA PAM 670-1 guidance for sew-on badges or 36-2903?
Thanks in advance for your input. As a side note, it appears the Army has moved away from SSI-FWTS and now uses SSI-MOHC (for military operations in hostile conditions). It's good to see the Army's priorities haven't changed.
I've read through the many topics on RP covering this very same topic, but they're either out-dated (prior to various re-writes of 36-2903) or missing key information. In the interest of clarification, I wanted to get some (hopefully) expert input on the issue. I realize it's a relatively trivial thing and will only apply to a minority of Airmen... if the issue is a thorn in your side, move along.
Current 36-2903 guidance only states the following:
Paragraph 5.2.6.2.5 (which is a sub-paragraph of 5.2.6.2 concerning the OCP coat left-sleeve):
Wear of other Services' qualification badges/patches, if earned and awarded, is authorized if allowed by the applicable Services’ guidance. [...] [Note: Sister Service and Joint badges/patches can be worn in their current subdued color configuration and will not be converted to the spice brown color criteria.]
As far as official guidance goes, that's all I've been able to find. I know there used to be a FAQ on the AFPC site specifically addressing and authorizing prior service combat patches, but it appears to have been removed relatively recently. If I'm just lost, someone please provide a link to the FAQ.
Going out on a limb, since the Army does not refer to its badges, scrolls, tabs, etc. as 'patches' I assume the word's inclusion here is in fact still authorizing the combat patch for wear (in it's Army subdued coloration) but I am open to other interpretations.
Lastly, there is no guidance on how they should be worn. Centered above the mandatory HHQ patch? Below? There is a similar lack/muddying of guidance when it comes to sister service qualification badges (i.e., CAB or aviator wings). Should I follow DA PAM 670-1 guidance for sew-on badges or 36-2903?
Thanks in advance for your input. As a side note, it appears the Army has moved away from SSI-FWTS and now uses SSI-MOHC (for military operations in hostile conditions). It's good to see the Army's priorities haven't changed.
Uniforms
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Air National Guard
Edited 2 y ago
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 5
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The wear of Army SSI-FWTS or SSI-MOHC has never been authorized in the Air Force.
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SSgt (Join to see)
The AFPC up until very recently featured a FAQ document that would prove otherwise:
Question: Are Airmen authorized to wear Army combat patches on the OCP uniform?
Answer: “Combat patch,” applies ONLY to Soldiers. If an Airman was previously a Soldier in the U.S. Army and was authorized the wear of shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service IAW with AR 670-1, they may wear it in addition to the mandatory Air Force higher headquarters patch on the left sleeve.
Like I said above, the FAQ has recently disappeared from the site... I assume to avoid conflicting with the most recent re-write of 36-2903, which is vague at best when it comes to this topic.
Question: Are Airmen authorized to wear Army combat patches on the OCP uniform?
Answer: “Combat patch,” applies ONLY to Soldiers. If an Airman was previously a Soldier in the U.S. Army and was authorized the wear of shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service IAW with AR 670-1, they may wear it in addition to the mandatory Air Force higher headquarters patch on the left sleeve.
Like I said above, the FAQ has recently disappeared from the site... I assume to avoid conflicting with the most recent re-write of 36-2903, which is vague at best when it comes to this topic.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
SSgt (Join to see) - I stand corrected. It was not authorized when I retired in 1999, and probably never should have been authorized.
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At 17.5 years I would wear mine till told otherwise where and what reg says it is a No-Go. You will be retired before anyone in the AirGuard figures it out.
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SSgt (Join to see)
That's about where I'm at, personally. But there are a lot soldiers currently making/trying to make the same transition green to blue who may be interested. Regs will only get better when these sort of omissions are pointed out and a solution issued.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
My father was Air Force and was out of service retired for two years when he got orders to wear the SAC patch on his flight coveralls. He had left Fight Ops after the Korean War.
I never knew my Dad could laugh so much. It kept him entertained for days.
I never knew my Dad could laugh so much. It kept him entertained for days.
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I did find the previous regulation that authorized it but it looks like the update to it left it out. By leaving it out it is no longer authorized. To me this is like when you see a Marine come into the Army and wear a Marine combat patch. They are not authorized to wear one sense it is an Army award that can only be awarded when you are in the Army. In reality, no one really says anything about it when they see. it.
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SFC (Join to see)
The purpose of this site is to provide information on United States Army heraldic entitlements; how they are displayed, and how and why it is worn.
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