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

At the end of the day does it really change or do anything for ya? Im a combat veteran of Iraq, twice 04-05, 07-08. There were some days, back at home, when I put my ACU's on after PT and just said "ah screw it for today", and id go slick sleeve for tbe2 day. On the days I was slick sleeve they were just as any other. No bettet no worse. Soldiers still called me SGT and stood at parade rest when called for, i still had to perform my daily duties , and I still trained and led Soldiers in the same way I would have had I had my patch on. So what im saying i guess is when ya do have one its more of a matter of pride, IMO, to wear one amd show it off. There is the exception, when ya have the 20 year E5 that is still a slick sleeve . But behind closed doors they are usually not respected as much by the soldiers, and still usually not respected even with a combat patch if they do have one as soldiers will always have tbeir own reasons as to why hes been in for that long and is still an E5. So once again, I think wearing it is a matter of pride. Gotta say I was always proud to stand next to an E6 or higher that hasn't earned one yet while u had my combat patch and cab badge on,

It means you deployed to a combat zone. It doesn't mean you're a combat veteran or that you did your job well. Just do the job and do it well. That says something to people who matter.

It all depends on you. When I got to Bragg I was the only one in my squad without a AA patch and it was something all the new guys wanted. When I got my first patch I was proud to become part of the 164 club(82nd patch on both shoulders). It shows experience and to know soldiers seeing the combat patch they see more credibility thos person knows what they are doing likely from experience not from reading manuals.

No they are not for show. The individual should take pride in their service, if they say it is just for show there role in the fight has not been explained to them. It is contingent upon leaders to equate the individuals role as it relates to what is happening on the ground in the fight. Thank you for your service.

It has meaning, which is primarily to the wearer, IMO.
There have been plenty of complaining about SNCOs lacking one, too. If the lack of one is based solely on going were one is assigned, I see no issue. If it's because of a deliberate effort to avoid deployment, it speaks to character, again, IMO.
I had the option to wear one after a 2002 TDY trip to Kuwait. I never put it on, although authorized, but proudly wore the 1MARDIV SSI FWTS I earned in 2003. A TDY trip to Kuwait, although in support of OEF, didn't met my personal standard for what a SSI FWTS means to me.

Keep in mind that the term "Combat Patch" is just a common nickname for what is officially known as the Should Sleeve Insignia - Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS). Combat participation and/or service in a combat zone is not required to get a SSI-FWTS.

What the SSI-FWTS does mean is that the individual wearing it was deployed to a theater of operations during a time of armed conflict and serves to distinguish those who have "been there and done that" from shall we say "lesser mortals".

Like many things in life the SSI-FWTS is what it is and is not what it is not. What it means is entirely up to you to decide.

What determines you eligibility for a SSI-FWTS is not if you were in combat, got combat pay or imminent danger pay or even if you got a Purple Heart. What determines it is AR 670-1 - the uniform regulation. It seems to me if you got a campaign medal (ie. Iraq, Afghanistan, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal) you should get a SSI-FWTS. I think the criteria should be overseas service in direct support of combat operation - even if you were never shot at. Remember that the term "Combat Patch" is a slang term and not an official name.

A combat patch means you have combat deployment experience. It maybe some good experiences or it maybe bad. Point is that you were ready to deploy when your country needed you. Point is a unit can count on you to be medically, duty, and physically fit to deploy. Not having a combat patch doesn't mean you're not competent. I've had this argument used against me by those who have deployed. Train as you fight, know what right looks like, and be ready to shoot, move, and communicate. That is all.

Be proud of what you do and where you have been.

Big Sarge, I hate to break it down probably like everyone else has but Kuwait hasn't been considered a combat zone since January 1991. Your orders probably say your there for some sort of support or PEACE keeping mission. Who ever states a combat patch doesn't mean anything is more than likely a soft skill MOS , who's emotions were not played with in the dirt as your firing back at the enemy for your brothers on the left and right. Asked any paratrooper who landed on Omaha if their combat patch meant something. If you even know what I am talking about.