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.

Well by definition it is a uniform - consistent or unchanging.

I don't wear my SSI-FWTS or any other lickies and chewies on my ACUs.
1) I like to see the assumption looks I get as folks say "how the eff is he a 1SG without being deployed"

2) In signal land there seems to be a one-up-manship to combat patches. "Oh I was in this (insert REMF signal unit) but we had a phone running to he CJSOTF so I wear the JSOC patch"
I maintain I wear a combat patch while many in the signal corp wear a deployment patch.

So I go around with nothing but name tape, U.S. army, and Rank and let my actions speak to my experiences and qualifications. And if you are really that curious, like the PFC at CIF Monday, just ask me.

I like the idea. The man is trying to create a culture. Will he get there in two years, most likely not. But I think he had a good idea.

Funny. I thought the Army had a standard. But apparently the standard is not the standard. I understand minor adjustments to a uniform requirement in some areas based on special unit circumstances or mission. But to ban everything that is specifically authorized by regulation? As a good Soldier, of course I would comply. But nothing says I have to agree. Where the heck is the CSM? And is this the stance of 4th ID? Apparently every Brigade can have their own standard.

Truthfully, do we always need to be on parade with a resume, even in the field? Reminding everyone that we are all equal at some level of unity may be humbling to some--and if so, it's needed to avoid Egos -n- Attitudes.

I'm not really sure how to take this. I wore my skill badges, which made the new blood, in a way, admire us and want to someday be as good as his peers that have accomplished these tasks. Character counts, as the COL stated, and to me, it's all about presentation with your resume', not just character. The Infantry and Medics have badges that show people, peers, and supervisors, that they know their job and can perform tasks to standard. I am referring to the Expert Infantryman Badge and the Expert Field Medic Badge. If I were new to a unit, I have a feeling I would look up to those Soldiers that earned those awards. I don't see it lasting too long.

What bothers me about this discussion is that the CSM's that have weighed in on this on either side are not fulfilling their duties as senior NCO's. Why do I say this - In reading the published story, it appears to me that certain facts are left out (I will cover this in just a moment); next, for those supporting the Commander's stated intent your supporting arguments lack weight and is not supported by regulations or normal SOP's; for those not supporting the Commander's intent, you are not stating the proper reasoning's behind your statements of opinion; and therefore also incorrect. For those individuals that are talking about field and garrison uniforms, most if not all of you do not know the difference between the two types of uniforms (there is a difference), by your own statements.

First: The missing element in the story and in the reasoning - Is the basic Class C uniform that this policy directed toward a Personal Clothing Bag item or is it an Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment item?
Secondly: BE, KNOW, DO - Know is the key element; a number of individuals are either stating opinion or a portion of the factual regulatory criteria. Just because you cite a particular regulation, does not make your answer or statement correct, you need to step back and look at the whole picture. In this case I would recommend reviewing and studying the following three publications and any training safety publications that may apply: AR 670-1, DA Pam 670-1, and CTA 50-900 (and local/unit supplemental issue publications).
Third: Is this unit issued supplemental Class C uniforms as part of the TA-50 issue? Some units are, some are not. Ranger Battalions and SF Units do have Class C uniforms issued in this manner. At one point the 82nd had Class C uniforms issued in this manner and later they were not.

Bottom line - If the uniform proscribed for wear in the field is a Personal Clothing Bag item, the Commander is probably wrong; If the uniform proscribed for wear in the field is OCIE, then he is correct in having them not wear the items described in the article, however the Commander's reasoning is improper and definitely can lead to discontent in the lower enlisted ranks as exemplified here and in other social media.

I think the reasoning behind it may be a little wonky but understandable to a certain degree. Although, I'm a believer that we shouldn't have anything on our uniform except name rank and US Army on our combat uniorm because its our COMBAT UNIFORM. We have a fantastic fancy dress uniform to put all of our bling on. If anyone wants to know what a Soldier's qualifications are look at is/her ERB or maybe, oh I don't know, talk to them? Maybe I should have joined the marines? I don't think hey have any strife over their uniforms....

It has pros and cons, personally I'd put more effort into kicking your ass if I knew you came from a special unit or had more in depth training than I did.

how do you hide the "patch" shadow...?

This came up the other day.

I can see "some" value in a sanitized uniform. By putting everyone on an equal footing, it removed the (perception) of a "been there, done that" attitude. Training is valuable for everyone, regardless of what schools you've been to, what deployments you've been on, and how many times you've completed the training.

In a sanitized uniform, all the "new guy" sees is other soldiers doing the training, either good or bad. He doesn't see the SF or Ranger tabbed guy blowing through it like it's cake, or the slick-sleeved SSG running into issues. He just sees Soldiers.

There's a time for having your resume on your chest and a time where it doesn't matter. Does it really matter during this particular phase of training?

I'm not knocking the wearing of badges, patches etc. But I can see the value of a sanitized uniform during a training evolution in the field.

it doesn't seem any different that what we did in theater. No one wore special skill badges, CIB, CAB, when I was in Afghanistan. Name, rank, Unit patch. Period.