Combat patches: Are they for show or do they really mean something??

Unless something has changed its my understanding that it is called a deployment patch and not a "combat" patch. Resin being is the rear D people also wear the same patch even though they never left the states for whatever their reason was. Once that happened to me it lost all meaning and just became something else to buy and wear.

It is a symbol for that young Soldier to look for to help them seek out someone with experince to help guide and mentor them, give them confidence to get through the unknown.

SSI-FWTS is proper. I loathe the term "combat patch" due to the lack of combat that seems to abound.
I have always seen it as a "I showed up for work" patch and Badges would be an "I showed up for work on a bad day" equivalent. Others see it differently but patches and badges do not a soldier make.

SGT Christopher Knapton - you're an NCO, but it appears that you still have a lot to learn if you have to ask that question...

When rounds are going in both directions on a fairly routine basis during a deployment... that path carries a bit more weight. The right to wear one shouldn't be handed out like candy, anymore than a n award.

It means something as far as esprit de corp. The same as your unit patch. Some don't care some do. As for Kuwait it has been of the combat zone list for awhile but for the guys saying crap like they'd wipe their ass with it if they got one for Kuwait I'd say grow up. I have multiple deployments and yes one was in Kuwait doing corrections operations during OIF 1 while it was still considered a combat zone. We were acting as combat support and although we did go into iraq on occasion 90% of that deployment was In kuwait. I don't feel I was being disingenuous wearing the patch I received that was where the army sent me it was listed as a combat zone I was entitled to wear it. End of story. Not everyone is going to be on the front line every deployment. Although I got plenty of chances in other deployments. Wear what you earn with pride if someone belittles it ask them when the last time they turned down an award because they just didn't feel they deserved it was.

I wear the patch of my previous units deployment in memorium of the brothers we lost there. I couldn't care less about signifying I deployed because I know what I did and that's all that matters. This patch helps me remember

It means that you went to a AO during a conflict with a big target painted on your back. It does not signify what you did while you were there, it signifies what you were willing to do. Any place can be considered a war zone with our current enemy.

In my opinion, yes SSI-FWTS and ribbons means that you have to experience and it would be awesome to mentor soliders about how to better prepare themselves for future conflicts. However, if one is being a snob or have an unfavorable personality, awards/tabs/patch means nothing.

If you need patches or awards to justify what you have done you have little or no self esteem. Awards are nice, but if your goal is to get them rather than to do your best, your motivation is wrong. Also, I would never downplay an award that was AUTHORIZED, whether you think it was justified or not.