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)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 257
You were deployed to the MARINES for a time. During that time you wore the unit patch. That was so you wouldn't be considered "foreign" personnel. Meaning you are temporarily attached to the MARINES for a period of time. My brotherand some friends in USAF deployed with the ARMY because of their AFSC (MOS). They wore ARMY unit patches to identify them as being assigned to tthe unit during their deployment. But once they were reassigned back to their parent service, the patches came off. As for permmenate wearing of those patches, more than likely you'll wear the parent service patches only. No use getting the brass bent outta shape, unless you want to.
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So, does this mean that if I was in combat with my Navy ship and went back to the Army, I can wear my ships patch as my Army Combat patch?
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PO1 Steve Mitchell
SFC Mark Klaers LoL yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon. Just like wearing Marine or Army badges for throwing a grenade or shooting on the Navy Uniform...its not allowed. You can transfer them to the Navy medals or qualify, but they are a no no. Unless DoD has come out with a directive about unit patches or awards that I haven't heard about, it's not allowed. They can make an exception, but in the case of my ships patch...on my uniform it's a rocker like the SF, Ranger or Sapper tab. The ships actual patch us is about 6 to 8 inches tall and 4 to 6 inches wide. Can you imagine that on an Army Uniform?
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SFC Mark Klaers
Not talking about qual badges. Talking about unit designations. Big difference. Hell, since everyone in the Army would rate expert on a Marine rifle range that badge has little meaning.
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PO1 Steve Mitchell
SFC Mark Klaers if you read AR 670-1 Chapter 21-17 it's says no. I didn't realized I was going to have to look it up. Only the Secretary of the Army can authorize a combat patch and other service patches are a no.
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We did not have these problems when I was deployed. A Huey delivered a pile of fatigues and you grabbed whatever fit. There was no rank or insignia. Two or three weeks later you got another delivery. It was simple.
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The answer is NO! The USMC did away with patches in 1947. so you don't have a unit patch.
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No such thing as former MARINES. As for wearing a patch for combat, I guess the more stuff the ARMY puts on their uniform the better they feel about being second best.
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If you were that concerned with wearing a Marine "patch" (still scratching my head on that one). Why did you leave?? Lets dumb this down... You are a former baseball player crying about not being able to wear part of your baseball gear when you joined the NFL. Is that why you serve? To show off your pretty ribbons and bows?
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Sir; If you served in a Combat Area as a Marine then turned Army, I see no issue with you parading your Marine DUI on your right shoulder, In my 33 years of service in the ARMY I no of no command who did not allow this , Sir if I were you I would sew it on and to hell with whom ever says different (just my humble opinion)
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Regardless of the so called "regulatory " standards, ie; AR 670-1 dash whatever that everyone tries to spout, In all my 33 years of service in the ARMY, I have never experienced an command issue with former Marines being allowed to wear their DUI (1st, 3rd, etc) Marine patch on their right shoulder of the Army uniform to denote COMBAT SERVICE Any Commander who would not accept this honor for ALL Combat Veterans is a fool and not worthy of leading soldiers (My opinion only) Let them have pride in their service as VETERANS no matter the component they served in in combat areas. We are ALL BROTHERS IN ARMS
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If that's what keeps you up at night then maybe you shouldn't be a Platoon Leader especially in an Infantry unit. ~ "OUT"
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