Posted on Sep 26, 2015
Can you wear your Marine unit patch as an Army combat patch if you deployed with the Marines? Policy appears to say no.
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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)
Deployment
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
DA Pam 670-1
Uniforms
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 257
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I say no. As a Veteran Marine, they haven't earned the honor of being called Marine. I think it's sad that they would betray their branch like this, we don't want people who fail to show loyalty.
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SGT Jason McVey
A lot of the soldiers that wear these patches are former active marines who later joined the army or national guard so yes we have earned the right to be called marines.
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SFC (Join to see)
Why in the world would this be considered "betraying their branch?" I know plenty of Army Soldiers who were attached to Marine units during the initial deployments to Iraq. Why wouldn't you be proud of the guys you served with? The butthurt in this thread is remarkable
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SSG (Join to see)
Nobody is trying to wear a combat patch to be called a Marine bro. Calm your ego down.
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GySgt William Hardy
I spent over 11 years in the Marine Corps and joined the Army National Guard where I wore my Marine patch for the 1st Marine Air Wing where I served in 1969-70. I wore that as my right shoulder patch until after my return from Iraq in 2007. Within several months, I received a couple of letters informing me that I was authorized to wear 3 different Army patches. I served with the 115FA on Gun Truck Security duty under the 15th Sustainment Brigade. After a while letters came in authorizing the wearing of their patch as well and then another letter saying we could wear the Cav patch. I guess I have the option of wearing which ever one pleases my fancy. I am retired, but if I were to wear the uniform again for whatever reason, It would be the 115FA patch.
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No.
You don't wear goofy white sailor hats if you've been on a cruise, so why wear anything else from another branch? I'd be less worried about a fashion show than leading Soldiers. The leaders I looked up to could have had nothing but name tapes on their uniform and I wouldn't have cared.
I noticed some folks wearing Marine patches when attached to MEF units, rather than their unit (or other Army parent units). Also a no-go.
While we're at it, Navy (or other branch) unit citations you've earned, no matter their precedence or prestige, are worn AFTER all Army unit awards (on the right breast of your Class A jacket).
Easy fix on combat patches: the unit patch on your left sleeve goes on the right sleeve when you come home. Period.
You don't wear goofy white sailor hats if you've been on a cruise, so why wear anything else from another branch? I'd be less worried about a fashion show than leading Soldiers. The leaders I looked up to could have had nothing but name tapes on their uniform and I wouldn't have cared.
I noticed some folks wearing Marine patches when attached to MEF units, rather than their unit (or other Army parent units). Also a no-go.
While we're at it, Navy (or other branch) unit citations you've earned, no matter their precedence or prestige, are worn AFTER all Army unit awards (on the right breast of your Class A jacket).
Easy fix on combat patches: the unit patch on your left sleeve goes on the right sleeve when you come home. Period.
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CW4 (Join to see)
SSG, you are wrong also about the precedence of unit awards. Read AR 670-1. It gives you the precedent in black and white. My PUC-N issued for my company's support of the 1MEU in OIF 1 is on top, because it is a higher precedence than my VUA's, MUA's and SUA,s. Read, learn and know before you speak.
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SSG Mike Busovicki
PO1 (Join to see) - good point - I'm glad the Army has seen the light on ditching the beret myself.
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SSG Mike Busovicki
CW4 (Join to see) - I went with the AR 670-1 ruling when I was in - Again, I did admit to not having seen the new MILPER message. Read, eh?
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CW4 (Join to see)
If tou check AR 670-1, paragraph 22-4, you will see order of precedence by category. Then DA Pam 670-1, paragraph 22-5, shows the order of precedence. My Presidential Unit Citation, Navy, will always be worm aboe my Army MUC, Army VUA, and Army Suoerior Unit Awards.
SSG Busovicki, please educate yourself on what gou are speaking of before you tell someone wrong information.
SSG Busovicki, please educate yourself on what gou are speaking of before you tell someone wrong information.
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CPT(P) David Thorp I can say yes based on pass experience (prior to retirement) or look up the latest update to AR 670-1 (which I'm sure you have already done). Press your S1 to run it up to G1 to get a definitive answer ... that is one "administrative specialist" question that is probably laid out separate from AR 670-1.
There is or can always be an exception to most issues (if done properly). My unit deployed to Somalia as single company to be attach as needed (at least that is how it seemed) ... our Company Commander submitted a request to ware our on BDE SSI versus that of someone may or maynot have had C&C of our unit.
There is or can always be an exception to most issues (if done properly). My unit deployed to Somalia as single company to be attach as needed (at least that is how it seemed) ... our Company Commander submitted a request to ware our on BDE SSI versus that of someone may or maynot have had C&C of our unit.
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So much flair... for everything....
I imagine how much time you would spend putting together your uniform as a Marine compared to the Army stuff.
I imagine how much time you would spend putting together your uniform as a Marine compared to the Army stuff.
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LtCol Mac McCarty
There is a really simple solution to this issue. Don't wear patches. The Marine Corps tried it back in WW Twice, thought about it, laughed about it, and forgot about it. We already wear the Eagle Globe and Anchor. What could be better than that?
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LtCol Mac McCarty
I once had dinner with Col Gregory Boyington, USMC--Pappy. His platoon commander at The Basic School was 1st Lt L. B. Puller--Chesty. "The Lieutenant told us and told us, 'Wherever you go in peacetime, you must be dressed immaculately, so the people will know who you are. In wartime, it will not matter They. Will. Know.'"
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SFC Richard Giles
LtCol Mac McCarty - I agree. Save them for you shadow box and your I love me wall in your man cave when you retire.
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SSG Richard Hackwith
CPT(P) David Thorp - Did you wear a combat patch on your USMC uniform? Did you wear a division patch on your marine uniform?
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Sir, do you have orders proving that you served with those units during deployments? As long as you have those, then there shouldn't be anything anyone can say about that. I have known several former Marines that wear their Marine SSI on the right sleeve.
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CPT(P) David Thorp
Well then I guess my suggestion is to authorize deployment patches per the criteria for certain campagn medals, which are not specific to any branch.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
And I would be the first one to ask if you were a Marine when you over there. If so, respectfully take it off as it is not authorized on an army uniform. As of 10 April 2015
Paragraph 21-17:
(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.
(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.
The key phrase in 3, is SOLDIERS, not other services. If you were not a Soldier at the time of the wartime, sorry the patch is not authorized.
Paragraph 21-17:
(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.
(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.
The key phrase in 3, is SOLDIERS, not other services. If you were not a Soldier at the time of the wartime, sorry the patch is not authorized.
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Were you just under their operational control (OPCOM) or did their commander request your unit be awarded the patch to wear as your "combat patch" to the ARMY G-1?
If you don't have that from the Army G-1 then no.
I have one awarding 3-69, 3ID the 2 MEF (FWD) patch for Ramadi in '07.
If you don't have that from the Army G-1 then no.
I have one awarding 3-69, 3ID the 2 MEF (FWD) patch for Ramadi in '07.
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Unfortunately, the only correct answer is no.
(3) “Other services. The Department of the Navy, the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the Air Force do not authorize wear of SSI. Therefore, personnel who served in one of the designated areas during one of the specified periods, but who were not members of the U.S. Army, are not authorized to wear the SSI FWTS on their right shoulder. The only exception to this policy is for U.S. Army members who served with the USMC during World War II from 15 March 1943 through 2 September 1946.”
You may not agree with it but this is the answer until the army changes it.
(3) “Other services. The Department of the Navy, the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the Air Force do not authorize wear of SSI. Therefore, personnel who served in one of the designated areas during one of the specified periods, but who were not members of the U.S. Army, are not authorized to wear the SSI FWTS on their right shoulder. The only exception to this policy is for U.S. Army members who served with the USMC during World War II from 15 March 1943 through 2 September 1946.”
You may not agree with it but this is the answer until the army changes it.
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My nephew changed services to the Air Force from the Army and cannot wear his CIB
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My nephew cant wear his CIB on his Air Force uniforms after switching services.
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Personally, I think the Army wears way too much stuff on their uniforms. Wasn’t the most important reason, by any means, but it was one reason why I chose the Corps all those years ago.
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What POLICY? During my time in the Army, I met Soldiers who deployed with Marines, or were Marines who deployed to Desert Storm, and later went into the Army. If the Marine unit had a patch, they were able to wear it as a Combat Patch. Unless AR 670-1 changed After I retired in 2008, This should NOT BE AN ISSUE.
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If the marines wear combat patches I would say yes. Since the Marines fo not wear combat patches I say policy is right and you cannot wear your marine unit patch on your army uniform.
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Dept. of the Army personnel working in the "Not" square building in Arlington Va. with nothing better to do than write confusing uniform regulations need tighter supervision while they're on the clock.
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Same thing happened to me. I was Marine Corps Ssgt and joined Army in 77. Could not wear Marine Corps Weapons qual but could wear my Combat Air Crew Badge and Gold jump wings. Go figure. At least my time in service and grade and overseas time counted. Army sent me to Walter Reed as a clerk. Had been in Marine rifleman and then aircraft crew member. So was made a specialist. 2 weeks later was back to wearing stripes. till retirement. Then to Grad school.
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This rule is shallow and discriminatory and anyone who gets their panties in a bunch over a WAR VETERAN who just happened to deploy with the Marines instead of the Army, really needs to take a look in the mirror and figure out what it is they are really angry about. It's petty bullshit and we all know it.
Ive heard people try to patronize and say "Oh I don't like it either but the reg is the reg...". PLEASE..if you just hate someone for being a Marine because you weren't or whatever reason, then just own it and stop hiding behind the reg.. otherwise I dunno perhaps STFU and worry about what is on your own damn shoulder?
Ive heard people try to patronize and say "Oh I don't like it either but the reg is the reg...". PLEASE..if you just hate someone for being a Marine because you weren't or whatever reason, then just own it and stop hiding behind the reg.. otherwise I dunno perhaps STFU and worry about what is on your own damn shoulder?
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I can't see the problem. If you fought and have the supporting documentation, you should get to wear the patch. And not just Marine Corps units, but foreign as well. If you feel
differently, then get those foreign jump wings off!
differently, then get those foreign jump wings off!
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I can't see the problem. If you fought and have the supporting documentation, you should get to wear the patch. And not just Marine Corps units, but foreign as well. If you differently, then get those foreign jump wings off!
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I don't understand the problem. You fought, you have the supporting paperwork, you should wear the patch. I'm good with you getting to wear a foreign units patch as long as it legit.
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Oy Vey!! A friend of mine from England once quipped how many patches and awards our military wear. compared to their counterparts. It's an amazing comparison.
I believe all uniform accessories are covered by regulations.
That doesn't mean all commands (or those in charge) follow those. Leads to confusion.
I believe all uniform accessories are covered by regulations.
That doesn't mean all commands (or those in charge) follow those. Leads to confusion.
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