Colored Patches and Badges while in Garrison?

SGT James Elphick — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:35:28 -0500

When I was in during the BDU era it always kind of bummed me out that all of our badges and patches on our uniforms were subdued. Obviously this made sense because they were sown on but with the advent of velcro patches and pin-on badges should soldiers in garrison have a full-color set to wear day to day?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Feb 12 at 2015 6:47 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 18:47:35 -0500

Keep the full colored patches and badges for dress uniforms not the ACUs or whatever the next generation of utility uniform is.

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made Feb 12 at 2015 8:25 PM

1SG Frank Rocha — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:25:26 -0500

The American flag is in full color while in garrison and is subdued while serving in a combat zone. Why then shouldn't the unit and combat patches be displayed in the same manner.

Additionally, since our colored patches have been taken away by way of the Army Service Uniform, and the only surviving vestige is a metal combat pin on the ASU, I think we can think of a way to reincorporate the colored patches back onto our uniforms.

Response by SSgt Thomas L. made Feb 12 at 2015 9:09 PM

SSgt Thomas L. — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:09:50 -0500

As an Air Force vet, I'd like to see unit patches restored for the Air Force. They took them away altogether when we went from BDUs to ABUs. Pissed a lot of people off.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 12 at 2015 9:30 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:30:19 -0500

It's a combat uniform. If we want to get "bling-y", how about Class B's wednesdays/Fridays or something of the sort?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 9:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:31:02 -0500

Tacti-cool

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 6:08 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 06:08:18 -0500

I do think it is an interesting idea. I would offer that maybe we find a away to wear our unit patch on the ASU. The ACU is a duty uniform, so I would keep it the way it is (minus getting rid of all the Velcro).

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Feb 15 at 2015 6:41 AM

MAJ Jim Steven — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 06:41:18 -0500

For all of you saying how tactical we are...
There's low crawling, slit your throat, silencer on my rifle tactical...and then thete is Bob-on-the-FOB tactical.
Bob needs subdued patches but is required to wear a freaking PT belt???

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 6:59 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 06:59:09 -0500

I think there are occasions in garrison where this would be appropriate. Units that have done this (Ranger Regiment, 1st ID), they really stand-out and look good. It is a way to build pride and esprit-de-corps in the unit without forcing the dress uniform on the soldiers.

Pictures of my dad in his utilities with colored patches were always my favorite (Korean War and Vietnam veteran).

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 15 at 2015 10:20 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 10:20:51 -0500

Ignoring personal preference, let's look at it from a Logistical Standpoint.

The Army (Active, NG, Reserve) has "about" 1M people in it.

A single unit patch is "about" $5. Let's assume everyone will need an average of 3 (2x Unit + 1x SSI) . That brings us to a $15M "initial" expenditure.

What does the average soldier get out of it? Maintenance of one more piece of gear.

Now, all that said, I'm not opposed to the concept. If you're going to wear them, why not make them so they can be seen (if there is not a pressing need for them to be subdued)?

Do you have all your Flair? Yes, I have all my Flair? Well, I can't see your Flair! That's because my Flair is Subdued! If you're going to wear Subdued Flair, why wear Flair at all? Because you'll yell at me for not wearing Flair if I don't!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 1:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 13:40:37 -0500

I don't mind the color patches...although I think that they are better served on the dress uniforms than the service uniforms. The only utility uniform I can think of that I enjoyed the color patches on was the old greens with the white/black name tapes and color insignia. On a camouflage insignia create confusing signals.

I hate to say it, but I don't think we are far from the days of wearing Class A/B uniforms to work....
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 11:27 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 23:27:34 -0500

I'd definitely go for it. I believe it would help remember the traditions.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2015 10:29 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 10:29:55 -0500

1.) There is no reason to be tactical in garrison
2.) We wear subdued unit patches, and a full-color US Flag. Consistency?
3.) The Army wants more understanding of unit history. Full color unit patches describe a unit's lineage.
4.) Velcro allows quick change to subdued when necessary

Response by SPC John Louiso made May 18 at 2016 12:34 AM

SPC John Louiso — Wed, 18 May 2016 00:34:59 -0400

No, Tactical in Garrison.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2018 5:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 17:31:23 -0400

He is one from your friendly neighborhood SM
You can only wear the full colored US Flag while in Garrison .
Then why aren’t the unit patches in full color ?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2018 5:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 17:33:06 -0400

Ah the PT belt , how utterly f—— useless it is