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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I have two patches I alternate from both trips and units I went with. I have a third patch from 18th MP Brigade but haven't worn it. For that one my platoon was attached under them so the Brigade Commander actually had a ceremony and gave us the patch and a nice certificate to go with it. I believe if you're going to wear one you should wear the one you were assigned to.
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In Accordance with AR 670-1, you can wear the combat patch of any unit that you were deployed with and assigned to. Attachments are not authorized. If this results in more than four units, you may only choose four of those units to wear the combat patch (of course only one unit at a time). During my deployment to FOB Kalsu, Iraq, this issue came up. For the first half of the deployment we fell under 3ID (our parent unit) and the 2nd half under 10th Mountain (attached). MNCI released orders that allowed us to wear the 10th Mountain patch. This order is superseded by AR 670-1 that said that we couldn't. I corrected as many people as I could being that a regulation always outweighs a Theater Commander's orders.
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SSG Jason Penn
1SG Miles Bizzell - Unless AR 670-1 has changed since my retirement 3 1/2 years ago, you can only were a combat patch of a unit that you are assigned to, attachments are not authorized a combat patch.
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SSG Jason Penn
That is exactly what I said... I did include additional information, and was much more wordier than you. However, since we both got out, the AR has changed, and it now says that Attachments are authorized provided that there is permission from DCS G-1.
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1stSgt (Join to see)
SSG Jason Penn Marines do not wear combat patches. There is no where on the uniform for them. I have seen 1MarDiv patches on soldiers but not vice versa. We not even wear name tags on our service/dress uniform coats.
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SSG Jason Penn
1stSgt (Join to see) - The Marines that I saw that had unit patches were wearing their MCCUUs. The original question posed is in regards to the Army Combat Uniform (ACUs) and not the service/dress uniform. The Army no longer wears a combat patch on the service/dress uniform. What has taken the combat patch's place on the new Army service uniform (ASU) is the Army Combat Service Identification Badge. The badge is metallic and worn in the middle of the right breast pocket, where as the patch was worn on the right shoulder. The Army dress uniform never had and still does not have either device. The Marines that were sporting patches were in a deployed setting. Now, being Army, I do not know Marine uniform regulations, so it could be that these Marines were wrong, but that doesn't mean that I didn't see it.
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1stSgt (Join to see)
SSG Jason Penn , Marines do not now nor in post Vietnam era wear any patches on our utilities, save shore party, which wear red patches on their utilities. I have no idea what you saw or when, but you should have laid one hell of a uniform correction asschewing on them.
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SSG Jason Penn
Since I have been out for 3 1/2 years and was an instructor/training NCO for my last 3 years, it has been a while since I was deployed. I do not recall the size, shape, nor color of the patch I saw, but it very well could have been the shore party patch you mentioned. I thought it was out of place because I always understood that Marines didn't wear unit patches. If they truly were violating regulations, then it still wouldn't be my place to correct them because 1) Regulations do change from time to time, and not being a Marine, I wouldn't know of any changes; and 2) Again, not being a Marine, I do not know Marine uniform regulations, so it would be wrong for me to correct someone over something that I am not versed in. I do know that I saw a patch that appeared to be located in the same area of the shoulder pocket that the Army wears unit patches.
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I support 82nd for 6 months and the COL told us we couldn't wear the 82nd patch and the regs did back him up. besides I though my uniform looked good with my unit patches on both arms LOL.
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SSG Jason Penn
AR 670-1! More people need to read the regs. Most questions are easily answered with the regs.
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An interesting question as it is displayed on your official photograph but not annotated in your ERB/ORB or in your OMPF.
I do have attachment orders to 1 MARDIV from OIF with my UIC listed and it is signed by the Army DCS G1. I can wear the 1 MARDIV patch on my uniform and I do on my ACUs but I wear my 1ID patch from other deployments on my photo. Nothing like an AD member wearing something not familiar for a board when the assignments listed on the ORB are only Riley and Bragg.
I do have attachment orders to 1 MARDIV from OIF with my UIC listed and it is signed by the Army DCS G1. I can wear the 1 MARDIV patch on my uniform and I do on my ACUs but I wear my 1ID patch from other deployments on my photo. Nothing like an AD member wearing something not familiar for a board when the assignments listed on the ORB are only Riley and Bragg.
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SSG Jason Penn
Sir,
AR 670-1 (10 April 2015), Chapter 21, Paragraph 21-17 (Shoulder sleeve insignia–former wartime service), section (3) Unless otherwise approved by this regulation, Soldiers attached or under operational control (OPCON) to other services are not authorized to wear their patches as their SSI-FWTS without written approval from DCS, G-1 or a designated representative.
So as long as that written order is not rescinded (which is not likely to happen) you are definitely authorized.
Section (4) Soldiers of all Army components (Active, ARNG, and USAR) who deploy during periods of service designated for wear of the SSI-FWTS are authorized to wear a SSI-FWTS. There are no time-in-theater requirements for authorization to wear the SSI-FWTS. Soldiers may not earn more than one SSI-FWTS during the same deployment.
There is no time requirement for boots on ground, only that the military operation normally must have lasted for a period of 30 days or longer.
AR 670-1 (10 April 2015), Chapter 21, Paragraph 21-17 (Shoulder sleeve insignia–former wartime service), section (3) Unless otherwise approved by this regulation, Soldiers attached or under operational control (OPCON) to other services are not authorized to wear their patches as their SSI-FWTS without written approval from DCS, G-1 or a designated representative.
So as long as that written order is not rescinded (which is not likely to happen) you are definitely authorized.
Section (4) Soldiers of all Army components (Active, ARNG, and USAR) who deploy during periods of service designated for wear of the SSI-FWTS are authorized to wear a SSI-FWTS. There are no time-in-theater requirements for authorization to wear the SSI-FWTS. Soldiers may not earn more than one SSI-FWTS during the same deployment.
There is no time requirement for boots on ground, only that the military operation normally must have lasted for a period of 30 days or longer.
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CW5 (Join to see)
My whole point is that there is no way for anyone really to verify my situation, so I only wear the 1ID patch for photos. These orders are not put in the OMPF and its not annotated in the ORB/ERB. Makes me wonder why we even bother with this SSI-FWTS at all on a dress uniform (especially since it isn't on the shoulder).
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If you have orders authorizing the use, then yes.
My troop was attached to the First Marine Regiment, during the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004. Our troop (F Troop, 4th Cavalry also known as the BRT or 3rd Brigade Reconnaissance Troop) received orders authorization the use of the First Marine Regiment shoulder sleeve insignia (combat patch).
Supporting is not the same as being attached.
I will look for the orders and attach them at later time.
My troop was attached to the First Marine Regiment, during the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004. Our troop (F Troop, 4th Cavalry also known as the BRT or 3rd Brigade Reconnaissance Troop) received orders authorization the use of the First Marine Regiment shoulder sleeve insignia (combat patch).
Supporting is not the same as being attached.
I will look for the orders and attach them at later time.
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I supported the 10th Moutain Division,. but was never authorized a combat patch.
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SSG Jason Penn
Where, and when? If it was Iraq, 2007-8, MNCI (Multi National Corps - Iraq) issued the order to authorize the wear of the 10th Mountain Patch by all supporting personnel. Army Regulation AR 670-1 Wear and Appearance of the Army Uniform states "Chapter 21, Paragraph 21-17, Section (2) Personnel who served in a designated area as a civilian or a member of another Service, but were not a member of the U.S. Army during one of the specified periods are not authorized to wear the SSI-FWTS." However, since you are Air Force, then Air Force regs would supersede Army regs for the wear of your uniform/patches.
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Yes, You can wear different combat patches. But only if you or your serving unit were attached to that unit under orders.
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That is a good question, I went over there with the 41st infantry brigade and was attached to the 4th infantry division.
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