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

If I were CSA.... I would do the same...

Sounds like the person who gave the order didn't like people noticing that he's never been to combat.

History has and always will be a big part of the military. I understand the complaint as to why you want to wear your first deployment patch, or the one that has the most meaning to you. I don't see the distraction side of the argument, or taking away from the training through experiences. However, if you are worried about your own or others experiences, then is that unit not wearing rank as well? I know as a SSG, that when I see a SFC, deployment patch or not he probably has a lot more knowledge and experiences than me. Is that going to take away from my training?

I've known COL Hodne since 1991 when he was 2LT Hodne. I've kept in touch with him off and on for 23 years, and he's a damn good officer, with great instincts. He was hands down the best I've worked with at the Platoon level. I promise you, there's more coming off of his uniform than from most of the uniforms of his soldiers.

My bet is that he has a pretty sound reason for making this decision, and some good will come of it once all the social media whining has died down. Besides...it's a 30 day field training. What harm could possibly come of it?

Afterthought added: Ever heard of a College football coach making everyone remove their names from their uniforms to remind players that they are "playing for the name on the front"? It's happened a few times. This sounds a lot like that.

Makes sense. Patches and doodads should be for dress uniforms not garrison operations.

Lots of great opinions and interpretations of the regulations. I can see why the commander chose to implement what he did. Sometimes breaking a mindset for some folks is difficult and he wanted to level things and get everybody's brain in the game. How many times have you ever been caught up in something stupid because some other clown fires off with "back at Bragg/other post someone came from" or some other nonsense?

I know I thoroughly enjoyed carrying AN/TAS-5s/MGSs/and TOW daysights as carry on luggage for our World Airways flight to JRTC, along with M2s with spare barrels, tripods, in addition to our personal weapons, NODS and other stuff. I distinctly remember stating the concept of carrying every other piece of equipment on the MTOE was a bad idea and then getting the "oh no jump wings???, then you have no clue about flying anywhere." diss. Kind of glad my Brigade Commander shut that down on the return flight. I was a platoon sergeant for that event, so it wasn't like I was fresh out of OSUT.

If your power base is established by patches and badges, then what are you going to do when you're not wearing them? I've been out for some time, but I think you establish it with "expert" power. Your Soldiers will figure out if you are capable of Be, Know, Do or posing; trust me they'll be discussing it before you realize.

More concerned about people feelings. Welcome to the new fighting force of the 21st Century.

Let's give everyone a mandatory nap after chow, too.

Since badges can be sewn in the uniforms, is requesting that soldiers buy and maintain garisson and field uniforms now?
Just becasuse he dont want pvt's to feel bad......

Works for me. I'm not happy about making troops pay to cut them all off and sew them back on, but "Arrrrrrrmy training, Sir!" Bring the pain! (since I'm retired)

I do not like the decision, and would not to remove my combat patch (SSI-FWS).

No telling whether the CSM had input on this decision or not.