Army Commander requires troops to wear ACUs with no badges/combat patches?

No info

One more instance of brass getting bogged down micromanaging trivia with a feel good solution to something that wasn't a problem to start with.

Just to add some context here...and I’m o my speculating based on some observations I made when I was assigned to the 1SBCT around the time COl Hodne took over...
Around the time COL Hodne took command of the 1 SBCT, it had recently been reflagged as a Stryker brigade and as a result, a slew of experienced Soldiers started to arrive from many other recently reflagged/disbanded units. What started to happen was that you would have these little cliques that would form. A 2ID guy sees other 2ID guys and only hangs out with other 2ID transplants. As a result, you had junior Soldiers who were basically being ignored because the newly promoted E-5 TL was busy talking to the Soldiers in another platoon because they were 2ID. If you ask me, some of those Soldier did need reminding that hey your not in your old unit anymore. I mean even 4ID guys who deployed were feeling out of place when all of a sudden most of your platoon is made up of 2ID guys who recently deployed together.

The other part of this is, COL Hodne came from the 75th...those guys go to the field to train and thus wear sanitized uniforms. They understand that they are training in the field and trying to instill this mentality on regular Soldiers is not the worst idea I’ve heard.

Just my .02

ACU insignia such as skill badges and SSI-FWS are items which are part of the uniform. Yes, an individual can choose not to wear them but, on the other hand, I see it as beyond the commander's authority to order their removal. If the commander is worried about younger soldiers being intimidated by those with combat service - should he also be worried about them being intimidated by those with higher rank? In that case, he should have rank insignia removed as well - including his own.
Remember that we are in the United States Army and not the People's Liberation Army of China in the days of Chairman Mao where nobody wore any insignia.

After the reading the article- this was done in a field training environment. I dont see a fuss. USCG- barest day to day uniforms around. Rank name uscg....no fancy badges or monikers. Yes you see wings on the airdales...and cuttermans pins for sea farers.....thats it. Command pins on officers when in command.

and no indication of RANK?

This would be hilarious if it wasn't sad

I wonder what his rationale was to do such a thing? One thing I'm glad to be rid of in military life is commanders whim. Which can also be a "someone convinced the commander this was a good idea" kinda thing, which is really worse.

Imagine what it would be like if commanders got to choose the whole uniform like in the old days with no restraint. Some troops would be wearing full battle rattle all the time, some would be dressed like Bozo the F*(&ing clown complete with big-assed clown shoes, I bet. And, pikes! Pikes are cool...I'm really not making fun of this particular commander, BTW, it's just that people in general will do weird stuff if there are no controls.
But, really, why do such a thing? There has to be a reason, and I'm curious what the probability of destroying morale could possibly be offset by enough to make this worthwhile?

he must be a no deployment leader who has hidden in training units to not go to war. or he is just feeling lesser of a solider when he sees all these studs with the patches and badges.

Bad idea. I'm hearing a lot these days that "slick sleeves" are having a hard time leading because they're being undermined by combat vets, but that's a leadership problem. Forcing soldiers to take off their "extras" just makes their past efforts seem unappreciated; not exactly great for morale.

Bad idea. People earn those patches and take pride in them... They should be able to display them proudly.