Are combat badges unauthorized to wear in a deployed environment?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 11:48:34 -0500

Is ALARACT 140-2007 still in effect, where it states combat badges are unauthorized to wear in a deployed environment? I saw a CPT here in Afghanistan wearing a CIB sewn on his MCUs.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Feb 8 at 2014 12:11 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 12:11:07 -0500

SSG Maravi<div><br></div><div>Afghanistan was the most confusing place when it comes to any kind of Army standards. Folks have stated in other discussions that "standards are standards" and there isn't a regulation which covers "regulations while deployed" so I understand the ALARACT is still in effect.</div><div><br></div><div>However it doesn't change the facts of the Stan: people will do what's allowed by their CoC over there. Even each FOB, COP, base, camp etc. I visited had drastically different standards. One minute you're getting drilled FOR NOT saluting, the next you're getting drilled FOR saluting...</div>

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 12:21 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 12:21:19 -0500

No badges sewn on - you can sew on name, US Army and rank but that is it. Unless something new is out there he was wrong.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Feb 8 at 2014 1:09 PM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 13:09:37 -0500

I think the intent of that ALARACT was to keep soldiers from wearing pin-on badges while deployed, not sew on. However, like all things, unless it specifically said pin on instead of sew on (which didn't exist when the first ALARACT came out), then it is a no-go.. Hopefully it will be clarified when the new 670-1 comes out in 2054. 

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 1:57 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 13:57:02 -0500

Sew on badges is referred to in the CJTF policy book. Our whole BN was ready to sew on but we couldn't cause we read the badges weren't authorized.

Response by 1SG Shane Hansen made Feb 9 at 2014 8:39 AM

1SG Shane Hansen — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 08:39:46 -0500

<p>To answer the question about whether or not the ALARACT 140/2007 is still in effect:  yes it is.  It is still in the "Active" folder on the AKO ALARACT page.  Also in the ALARACT itself it states that it will not expire until the next revision of AR 670-1.</p><p> </p><p>27. EXPIRATION. THIS MESSAGE WILL EXPIRE UPON NEXT PUBLICATION OF </p><p>AR 670-1.</p>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2014 7:55 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 07:55:53 -0400

This is a little late, but AR 670-1 (released this year, but to be finalized 2054) clarifies this as "pin on badges" not being authorized in a field environment.

Response by 1SG Billy Greene made Apr 23 at 2015 9:30 PM

1SG Billy Greene — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 21:30:19 -0400

ALARACT 140/2007 until superseded by the next ALARACT or AR670-1 whenever that comes out the ultimate answer is no. Badges are not authorized to be worn either pinned or sew on. This was a huge problem in Theatre when I was in A-stan because some Joe's wanted to look like Delta and I was running around telling them to get it off.

Response by MSG Robert Mills made Apr 25 at 2015 12:00 PM

MSG Robert Mills — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:00:47 -0400

In a combat theater they are not allowed for wear, I did during my career ask the question of why? Pin on badges are made of metal, when hit with bullets causes injury and extra metal that has to be pulled out of you, that was a good enough explanation for me. However being that the badges are my earned awards, I did carry around with me a complete set, upon leaving the combat area I did pin them on as they are a part of a soldiers uniform. This was also explained to me when a PFC decided once it was not nessasary for him to wear his rank, I simply asked him if he would like to keep said rank? why yes sergeant ok then after you do 300 pushups for being out of uniform then go pin it on wildman. I believe that soldiers that have earned badges should wear them and it should be a requirement. However now and again units for example like to play patch and badge games which are totally ridiculas. For example 82nd Airborne combat patch and 101st combat patch? While stationed with the 101st Abn I proudly worn a 82nd combat patch, now I do have my choice as to which of the three or four patches I could wear I was always partial to that one, call it a paratroopers loyalty or whatever maybe Im just centimental, but I was constantly fighting off the CSM that was telling me to change my patch, I just always said I dont play patch games CSM and moved out, the next day no change of patches, and flying home was the same way, change your patch MSG, I dont play patch games CSM, well needless to say ass chewings aside it was more like a game to me than anything else, and if you get all butt hurt over someone being in thier uniform that they worked for then maybe its time for you to move on to something a little more meticulas in nature for a profession lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 4:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 04:23:37 -0400

Itd just make sense to do away with wearing any patches other than call sign patches while deployed. I can maybe see them expecting you to wear name and rank inside the wire, but once youre off Fobbit status take that crap off.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2016 11:08 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 23:08:39 -0400

DA PAM 670-1 Para 4-8e. Soldiers are not authorized to wear
pinned on badges in a field or deployed environment. There is no reference to this in AR670-1. In fact, it references DA PAM 670-1 in regards to the general wear policy of badges.

Response by COL Jon Lopey made May 17 at 2019 8:10 PM

COL Jon Lopey — Fri, 17 May 2019 20:10:41 -0400

SSG: When I was overseas (OEF) we wore sew-on badges on our 3-color desert camo uniforms. When I returned a couple of years later, badges, pursuant to a CENTCOM directive, were not authorized on ACUs but at the time all we had were pin-on badges. Now you can wear sew-on badges, which I think makes a lot of sense unless you are in SPECOPS and don't want to advertise what you have. We wore ACUs in Iraq and I didn't like walking around without my airborne and CAB. I was told the justification was metal pin-on ranks could cause more injuries if you were hit with an IED, etc. Ironically, the Marines and other services sometimes wore metal pin-on badges. Great question and interesting conversation! Airborne, COL L

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 4 at 2019 4:31 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 16:31:37 -0400

I would think that they would be subdued.