Can I wear a CJTF-OIR combat patch?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 04:28:43 -0500

My unit is based in Kuwait, however I was sent on 60 day TCS orders to Iraq. I have read the regulations and to me it reads that I can wear the patch, since I have been in Iraq for over 30 days, and recieve CZTE and HFP. Please let me know the correct thing to do.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2022 11:29 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 11:29:30 -0500

I wouldn't wear a patch I don't have a memo for. It's not drawn out process like a DA638/award

I bet such memo's are being handed out pretty broadly. So get with your S1 in the area as they probably hand them to you on the way out.

I know folks wearing patches where that probably shouldn't, and I know folks that got shafted out of a patch. You really need the memo.

Because EVEN IF you have a Campaign ribbon/medal and Nato ribbon/medal that doesn't say WHICH PATCH. So if you are walking around with a patch without the corresponding memo you are walking around with a bulls eye on your right arm.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2022 1:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 13:58:19 -0500

No memo awarding it...don't wear it. Should be able to get that memo easily as long as your substantiating documents are present

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2022 2:10 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 14:10:57 -0500

In order to wear the CJTF-OIR patch you must be part of the manning for the task force otherwise you would wear your unit path or the patch of the lowest HQ element to which you were attached.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2022 2:19 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 02:19:37 -0500

You don't technically need a memo, but I would heed the advise of others saying to get one. This is proof that leads you to not having to explain your deployment in detail to everyone who may question it.

Many units do memos for it, some even do a neat certificate that depicts the patch and awards earned. Is it needed? No. Is it nice to have? Absolutely.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2022 12:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 12:24:14 -0500

You meet the army's requirements for wearing a combat patch. To be safe tho I would suggest wearing the patch of the unit you were assigned to while deployed to a combat zone. I'm not too familiar with wearing other units patches while attached to them etc. I believe that requires orders from that respective unit.

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Feb 22 at 2022 10:10 AM

SSG Keven Lahde — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 10:10:53 -0500

If your unit was issued one, yes you can wear it regardless of being sent somewhere else temporarily. Your still in the unit, you just had orders the sent you somewhere else.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2022 8:42 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 08:42:03 -0500

You don’t need a memo awarding a combat patch just those TCS Orders to Iraq and the corresponding time shown on your SRB is enough IAW! Forget what any one else says they don’t trump the regulation period! Most are just jealous or don’t know because they don’t read!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2022 6:21 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:21:43 -0500

I think that you can wear the patch, you only need one day in country that of a declared combat zone. You still need a shoulder sleeve insignia, (SSI) off unit you were assigned or attached to.