Posted on Sep 26, 2015
CPT(P) David Thorp
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Are there any other former Marines turned Army who don't agree with this ? (Have to look like a boot LT until I deploy with the Army)
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Cpl Robert Heiar
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Marine "unit combat patches" DO NOT EXIST. It is impossible for a soldier to be "authorized" to wear a Marine unit patch because unit patches have not been authorized for wear on Marine dress, service, or field/utility/combat uniforms since sometime shortly after WWII. Today they continue to be worn on civilian clothes, hats, & tee shirts as points of unit pride. The ONLY authorized uniform decoration denoting a Marine's combat service is the Combat Action Ribbon and it cannot be worn with the camouflage uniform. Therefore, logically, a soldier cannot wear an award that could not have been "earned" because it was never awarded or aurhoized by the United States Marine Corps, not to mention that unit combat patches simply do not exist in the Corps. Just because the uniform manufacturer Vanguard sells these things does not mean they are authorize by the CMC or Sec.Nav.
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CPL Joshua Michael
CPL Joshua Michael
>1 y
Actually got awarded one from 1st Marine Division 1stMEF from 03-04 with 1st Battalion 16th Infantry Regiment in Ramadi, Fallujah, Habbinyah and Khaldyah.

So actually you are incorrect.
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LCpl Mac Fields
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Have a friend from my old unit in the Gia d now, we're both 1st MARDIV. His combat patch is that of the 1st Marine Division. No one in his guard unit, not at drill, not during his two weeks has ever complained about it !
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LCpl Chris White
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I think it's just sad that someone needs a patch to display their accomplishments.
Get over it and move the Hell on.
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Sgt Christian ORourke
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To keep it simple, NO. We do not earn a PATCH. We do have Wings, Scuba Bubble, Combat Air Crew Wings. All of these we can wear if we transfer to army, air force or navy. But a patch. No. We only wear a patch on our flight suits and jackets. So NO. You can wear whatever you want out of uniform. I have a patch from 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines, but the only thing it is good for is hanging on a wall. Devices, as mentioned before, only if you earned them as a marine. You received a souvenir for you time, nothing more.
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1SG Richard Anderson
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Ar 670-1 para 21-17(d)(3) should answer the question.
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SFC Combat Engineer
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Nope
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MGySgt Reconnaissance Man
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Who needs stinkin patches
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SPC Patrick Chandler
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Heh...this should be a non-issue...however I know for a fact someone in a leadership position has made this their priority because they feel like they need to be in charge of SOMETHING.

Can you wear it? Yes, under specific conditions. End of discussion.

The fact that this requires an in depth discussion, specifically with persons of rank greater than E-6, reinforces my continued belief that the leadership in the Army has made it their priority to ignore actual priorities.
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Cpl Michael Neumaier
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Patches? We don't need no stinking patches!!! Semper Fi
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CW2 Property Accounting Technician
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As a former Marine, I have to say, "Suck it up!" The regs are the regs, and a patch doesn't define you. Now in the National Guard, I've corrected both enlisted and commissioned officers on this. Personally, it bothers me to see Soldiers wear any type of Marine patch, period. You didn't wear them in the Marine Corps, so stop trying to look special and attract attention. You can be proud of your service and deployments from the Marine Corps without a patch.
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SPC Levi Jackson
SPC Levi Jackson
>1 y
But that was the headline question so I say yes lol I don't have a reg for you or even a award to show we can wear it but my dd214 proves it.
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SPC Levi Jackson
SPC Levi Jackson
>1 y
One more way I can prove it sir. Look up operation phantom fury on wikipedia. Look at all the support units and my company is written there.
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SPC Levi Jackson
SPC Levi Jackson
>1 y
I agree 100% but you must show respect to me also sir. I do not wear the patch I am a Thunderbird and that's what I wear. I was just answering the question and you seemed real arrogant. If being a marine is so tough then how come women are in it. And of course I respect all marines especially grunts those are the badasses sir. What gets me is a cook or desk jockey all you marines "act" like you are grunts. And I am going to guess that's what you are. All marines say they are recon lol. I have the upmost respect for anyone that serves. I should have never even posted it went do any good. I have respect for you sir and I would give you the shirt off my back. God bless
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CW2 Property Accounting Technician
CW2 (Join to see)
>1 y
I respect anyone who has served. Thank you for your service. My personality is pretty black and white. Wasn't trying to be arrogant. People wearing Marine 'patches' is just one of my pet peeves.
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1SG Gary Bacon
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If your worried that much about patches, you're probably in for the wrong reason.
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MSG Clark Shumway
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The Marine Corps does not have combat patches......They have I love me patches that the Army including myself have worn. (1st Marine Division) But that all they are. I was in theater with them at the end of Viet Nam war. But it is not authorized on an Army uniform......
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MSgt Bill Loveli
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Silly shits! Why should anyone wear a Marine unit patch on a uniform when Marines don't EVER?
These are for wear on civilian apparel. We don't parade around announcing we are in such and such. We are all MARINES period!
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SPC Patrick Chandler
SPC Patrick Chandler
9 y
We are?
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SFC Bruce Scott
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Most abused uniform rule in the Army, & it's the C of S' fault. Once upon a time, the overseas insignia was worn on the right sleeve, signifying the Soldier has deployed as part of his unit during a combat action (o'seas tours where an O'seas Svc ribbon is awarded are not unit deployments and never counted). This was meant to recognize Army service by Army personnel. Prior service, other service veterans can wear O'seas service bars (including CAR, NAV or AF Ach/Comm medals) on the service and dress uniforms (w/o a unit patch). Other services don't wear unit insignia anyway, so get over it. To muddy the waters thoroughly , Army personnel attached to other units of the other branches (notably the Female "Tiger Teams" attached to MC units to interact w/female Iraqis (Initial MC didn't deploy w/female Marines)) were awarded that unit's insignia. EVEN IF UNIT's ORGANIC PERSONNEL COULD NOT WEAR SAID INSIGNIA! If I were in charge, all non Army insignia would be banned from the Army uniform. Period.
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SGT Small Arms/Artillery Repairer
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Yes you can wear a Marine patch if you were awarded it. AR 670-1 lists the marine patches that historically have been awarded to Army units for past conflicts not sure if it has updated to the War on Terror yet. In 2005 my BCT was OPConed to the 2nd MEF for the deployment and were given a exception to policy letter authorizing us to wear the 2nd MEF patch as our SSI-FWS. It had to be approved by G-1 Pentagon and listed the units that could wear it.
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SPC Internment/Resettlement Specialist
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I have quite a few buddies who were down range as Marines, and a few who even deployed with Marines. They wear their Marine unit combat patches instead of their Army patches.
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LCpl Herman Vanderwart
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However I know a fine Army chaplin who proudly wears a 1st MARDIV o-d patch on his cammies. He was assigned to the USMC three times in theater. A wonderful WO who does great work for homeless vets in the RI are. God bless you sir.
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SSG Jason Gilmore
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When I switched over from Marine to Army, my 1SG told me I should. I reviewed the regs and found the paragraph specifically saying it was prohibited. The only Former Marines authorized to wear a USMC Combat patch were WWII veterans, since the Marine Corps did away with unit patches after WWII. So if you see someone wearing one now, he is wearing an unauthorized patch.
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SPC Patrick Chandler
SPC Patrick Chandler
9 y
This is incorrect. There are still special circumstances which authorize Army personnel to wear USMC division patches as combat patches. See above as some have already posted the governing regulation.
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As a former Marine, had I served while in the Army with Marines, I would wear that patch, same as I wore a Naval Jack flag patch I traded for.
It's a patch. Suck it up. If you don't like it, go pound the proverbial sand. Bottom line, IT DOES NOT AFFECT YOU,and it does not affect 134
SGT Charles Kovach
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I was wearing the 1st Marine Division patch while in the army and nobody said a word
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