Posted on Nov 22, 2018
Can you still receive a combat patch when rotating/deploying to Kuwait?
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Can you still receive a combat patch when rotating/deploying to kuwait?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
No. Kuwait is no longer an IDP location. It is identified as a CZTE location only (meaning your pay is tax free). The SSI-FWTS is authorized only if you are serving in support of an approved operation in an IDP location. IDP locations are identified in the DODFMR Volume 7a. Kuwait stopped being an IDP location 01 Jan 15.
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Was just there. There was a policy that said you had to go to iraq, Syria, jordan. I think it said as soon as you were there you were eligible, or 24 hrs. Kuwait did not count
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MAJ (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) - Sorry, it was on the share drive or equivalent back when I was there. Maybe if you can find someone you know out there to get a contact with the G1 of the Division out there, maybe they can pull it.
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The correct term is SSI-FWTS
The term “combat zone” is a general term and it includes actual combat areas, direct combat support areas, and contingency operations areas. The following countries are currently recognized as combat zones: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.Feb 2, 2017
AR 600-8-22 page 35
(13) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): between 19 September 2001 and a date to be determined, for Soldiers
assigned to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; Between 9 January 2002 and a date to be
determined for those Soldiers assigned to the Philippines, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, who were
receiving combat zone tax exclusion and imminent danger pay (IDP), and who meet the criteria of paragraph 21–17a.
Between 31 July 2002 and a date to be determined, for Soldiers deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
area of operations in support of OEF authorized combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/imminent danger pay (IDP)
as identified by CENTCOM Command Center–Joint Staff for Personnel and Administration. Soldiers who were
deployed in the area of operations on training exercises or in support of operations other than OEF are not authorized
the SSI–FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OEF.
(14) Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF): between 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010, for Soldiers assigned to units
participating in OIF. Soldiers must have been deployed in the CENTCOM area of operations, or participated in OIF
while deployed in Turkey, Israel, or on Aegis cruisers. Soldiers who served with the 1st Marine Division between 19
March 2003 and 21 April 2003 during combat operations in support of OIF are authorized to wear the 1st Marine
Division SSI as their SSI–FWTS. Soldiers who were deployed in the area of operations on training exercises or in
support of operations other than OIF not authorized the SSI-FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became
combat or support missions to OIF.
(15) Operation New Dawn (OND): between 1 September 2010 and 31 December 2011 for Soldiers assigned to units
participating in support of OND. Soldiers must have been deployed in the CENTCOM area of operations or partici-
pated in OND while deployed in Turkey, Israel, or on Aegis cruisers. Soldiers who were deployed in the area of
operations on training exercises or in support of operations other than OND are not authorized the SSI-FWTS, unless
those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OND
The term “combat zone” is a general term and it includes actual combat areas, direct combat support areas, and contingency operations areas. The following countries are currently recognized as combat zones: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.Feb 2, 2017
AR 600-8-22 page 35
(13) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): between 19 September 2001 and a date to be determined, for Soldiers
assigned to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; Between 9 January 2002 and a date to be
determined for those Soldiers assigned to the Philippines, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, who were
receiving combat zone tax exclusion and imminent danger pay (IDP), and who meet the criteria of paragraph 21–17a.
Between 31 July 2002 and a date to be determined, for Soldiers deployed to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
area of operations in support of OEF authorized combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/imminent danger pay (IDP)
as identified by CENTCOM Command Center–Joint Staff for Personnel and Administration. Soldiers who were
deployed in the area of operations on training exercises or in support of operations other than OEF are not authorized
the SSI–FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OEF.
(14) Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF): between 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010, for Soldiers assigned to units
participating in OIF. Soldiers must have been deployed in the CENTCOM area of operations, or participated in OIF
while deployed in Turkey, Israel, or on Aegis cruisers. Soldiers who served with the 1st Marine Division between 19
March 2003 and 21 April 2003 during combat operations in support of OIF are authorized to wear the 1st Marine
Division SSI as their SSI–FWTS. Soldiers who were deployed in the area of operations on training exercises or in
support of operations other than OIF not authorized the SSI-FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became
combat or support missions to OIF.
(15) Operation New Dawn (OND): between 1 September 2010 and 31 December 2011 for Soldiers assigned to units
participating in support of OND. Soldiers must have been deployed in the CENTCOM area of operations or partici-
pated in OND while deployed in Turkey, Israel, or on Aegis cruisers. Soldiers who were deployed in the area of
operations on training exercises or in support of operations other than OND are not authorized the SSI-FWTS, unless
those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OND
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I've heard stories of units in Kuwait going to a demilitarized zone/border for about 5 minutes, coming back, and writing a memo approving their combat patch. So in a sense, yes? But that's kind of cheating the system and devaluing the combat patch. But as a whole, no, you will not get a patch for being in Kuwait.
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No. I was there in 2014 and we were the last rotation to receive the patch before the combat zone designation was changed.
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If you never left Kuwait then no because that is considered a friendly/allied country. However, say you did like I did and you were based out of Kuwait but ran missions in iraq then yes you would receive a combat patch or if you were attached to a company or battalion that ran through iraq then you could receive orders for a combat patch
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SFC (Join to see)
All correct other than ‘orders’ for the patch. There are NO ORDERS for the FWSSSL.
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Suspended Profile
SFC (Join to see) - local commanders policy I think. After OIF 3 my unit issued us a letter stating wear of the Expeditionary Medal OR the Iraq Campaign Medal, OSR and the SSIFWTS for our unit. It may not be the norm though, but it was an AD unit.
SFC (Join to see)
LTC Charles Blake correct Sir. I normally received a Statement if Wartime Service that authorizes mine. This may be what many are confusing with unit level ‘orders.’
This is why the 670-1 had to be revamped a few times to update and standardize the process.
This is why the 670-1 had to be revamped a few times to update and standardize the process.
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SPC Kirste Lewis
SFC (Join to see) yes that is what I meant sir it was easier for us to use the term orders especially since we were attached to a unit that was allowed the airborne patch because that is what we were given that authorized wear of both
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The amount of memes made about kuwait is due to it not being a combat deployment. However, you can get lucky and take a trip to a deployment fob and earn a patch that way. Our ammo chief regularly took troops with him to inspect the ASPs specifically to get then a patch. But Kuwait is not a combat zone and does not get a patch.
Although the amount of work and danger in Kuwait is surely comparable to those in a cushy fob anyways.
Although the amount of work and danger in Kuwait is surely comparable to those in a cushy fob anyways.
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