Posted on Aug 31, 2014
Can you wear a combat patch for a unit you supported?
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I have a question about combat patches.
I was in Iraq on day 11 of the invasion. OIF 1 & 2. Being in transportation, we served the whole theater. The Air Force, 1st MEF, and the whole advancing force was supplied by our fuel.
When we came back, some people wore different combat patches in my unit. I was told that we were authorized the 49th QM groups patch, which I wore and still have to this day.
How in the world would I find out which combat patch I am authorized to have? If any other one at all?
It may seem like a trivial question, but, if I am authorized another combat patch it would sure be nice to know.
Thanks....
I was in Iraq on day 11 of the invasion. OIF 1 & 2. Being in transportation, we served the whole theater. The Air Force, 1st MEF, and the whole advancing force was supplied by our fuel.
When we came back, some people wore different combat patches in my unit. I was told that we were authorized the 49th QM groups patch, which I wore and still have to this day.
How in the world would I find out which combat patch I am authorized to have? If any other one at all?
It may seem like a trivial question, but, if I am authorized another combat patch it would sure be nice to know.
Thanks....
Posted in these groups: 
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 84
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Look at you orders, you dance with the one that brought you otherwise you are dancing a fine line between disloyalty and possing.
A combat patch is about the team you were on. What did your boss wear?
A combat patch is about the team you were on. What did your boss wear?
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Thanks for your responses everyone. I am authorized the 49QM....we were directly attached to that unit because we were not a command unit.
I wish the Army had a repository of what units are authorized which patch for a period of deployment. It's the not the most important thing in the world, but it is good to know.
Thanks again,
Craig
I wish the Army had a repository of what units are authorized which patch for a period of deployment. It's the not the most important thing in the world, but it is good to know.
Thanks again,
Craig
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CW4 (Join to see)
The biggest problem with building the repository is that history gets in the way. Over the last 15 years of war many units have deployed and the command relationship changed during the deployments of units. Now many say that the regulation is pretty cut and dry when it comes to SSI-FWTS however many units were issuing memos stating that their down trace units could wear their SSI for the SSI-FTWS. That is the first problem now the second problem comes in with modularity.
When units would deploy under the division then everyone in that division would wear the same patch. With modularity many units were removed from their historical division such as Sustainment Brigades and Fires Brigades. Then came multiple ALARACTs and messages to try and clarify the regulation. One such ALARACT allowed Sustainment Brigades to wear the patch of their old divisions (i.e. 1st Sustainment BDE wearing 1st ID patch). Which did not get suspended until March 2014 when the new AR 670-1 came out. As stated before until combat patches are tracked like awards and you have an actual cert that is uploaded into your records then many people can claim multiple patches and the regulations can be read to support their claim.
When units would deploy under the division then everyone in that division would wear the same patch. With modularity many units were removed from their historical division such as Sustainment Brigades and Fires Brigades. Then came multiple ALARACTs and messages to try and clarify the regulation. One such ALARACT allowed Sustainment Brigades to wear the patch of their old divisions (i.e. 1st Sustainment BDE wearing 1st ID patch). Which did not get suspended until March 2014 when the new AR 670-1 came out. As stated before until combat patches are tracked like awards and you have an actual cert that is uploaded into your records then many people can claim multiple patches and the regulations can be read to support their claim.
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Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure whatever patch you had on when you showed up would just move to the other shoulder. If you have more than one deployment, I think its the most recent.
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MAJ Ron Peery
If you have more than one combat patch, it is a matter of personal preference which one you wear. I have four, but I always wore the 1st ID patch as it was my first. As for your combat patch being the one you were wearing when you entered the theater, that is a bid dodgy. ETTs came from CONUS and were usually made up of troops from all over the map. I was from the 35th ID, served under the 53d and 41st Brigades, and was attached to 3d SF Group. I have documents from each of those HQs authorizing me to wear their SSI. 35th ID, not so much.
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SFC Walter Lovett
its best to have your records updated to show the unit you were officially attached to. i.e. ERB/SRB with the deployment annotated with the correct unit that the combat patch is authorized. TCS order are uploaded to the OMPF and any orders or certificates issued by the unit can also be used to substantiate this input. it is the Soldier's preference as to which one they wear as long as it is authorized for that Soldier.
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LTC John Wilson
Richard, Would agree with you. But, after all the changes they have made in the regs and such, I am flat out not qualified to answer this question from a current view.
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I would 1st contact my old imits company office (COOF) in which I was attached to while in theater. As them 1st, then I would also contact my branch HQ verbally (by phone) and then by corresponding mail (with a signature confirmation) from the post office. That's the pink colored mail slip.
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Sgt Ronnie Mack
Typo, wasn't supoose to be on my cell and tried to sneak a response I. Real quick. What I was trying to say, we in the Corps, don't decide that. We have to be notified by our company office if we can and or can't. Yet, I haven't heard of wearing a patch of a unit that you have supported. At least, not in the Marines!!!!
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