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

SGT shit head. You're proof you are a SGT not an nco.

It means you have deployed to a combat theatre of operations. To make any more inferences, you'd need to see other awards and decorations- CIB, CAB, valor awards, campaign medals, etc. Nevertheless, if you've earned it, you should wear it proudly.

means something to me I earned it in actual combat in Iraq and the correct name is SSI-FWTS. and earned in actual combat zone, not Qatar, Kuwait, Phillipines, drone pilot in US Rear-D South America etc, have seen them issued to personel deployed to some place as augmentees and received some weird looking spec ops assn patch some Bs brigade oe something and did nothing but show up, in non combat zone, oh yea but the army these days is like kids sports oooo everyboby's a winner and everyone gets a trophy FT

You don't get promotion points for it. No one will think differently of you based on it. If you are a jerk with a combat patch you're still a jerk. If you are good at your job and don't have a combat patch you're still going to be known as the Soldier who is good at his job.

I can understand that your LT's, CPT'S, or any other individuals in your unit without a combat patch would be upset. They declared Kuwait a non combat zone either June or July 2014, roughly about 5 to 6 months after we hit ground in January. In my opinion, I think Kuwait should be declared a combat zone again, which I think will be just a matter of time. As far as the patch goes, it all depends on the individual. All I can say is, whenever you get a patch, wear it with pride.

Deployed to iraqi for 15 months, i dont wear mine, heck i dont even wear my CAB, soldiers recognize leadership and experience when they see it with or without patch. Besides your ERB or 2a that a promotion board looks at has all your info. Dont get wrapped up in window dressing.

I thought Kuwait was still a combat zone, learn something new. I'd like to get one someday, tbh I'd prefer my own NG units patch over others like 82d or 1 ID, etc. Feels like it would mean more to me, but I don't know.

I entered Military service in the spring of 1983. Most of our DI's were Vietnam Veterans and wore combat patches. During my 5 yrs on active duty us "non-combat" soldiers became the norm and combat patches became a rarity. It became a mark of distinction for those of us that didn't have one. Thanks to OIF I am now among the ranks of soldiers that sport a combat patch. I understand having one now it "doesn't seem a big deal" but I am personally proud of my service and wear my patch proudly. So much so that I even had it tattooed on my right shoulder with the name of the campaign and dates served. With so many things changing in the Army I am glad to see that the combat patch is still a sign of achievement to the new soldier. Nothing personal against them...I hope they never again have the opportunity to get one...and if they do, I pray for God's grace to protect them while they are earning it.

YES, YES, YES IT REALLY MEAN SOMETHING. IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE IDENTIFIED AS OPERATING UNDER A MAJOR COMMAND OF A COMBAT ELEMENT. THIS IS THE COMMAND OVER YOUR UNIT FOR COMBAT PURPOSES. EVERY MILITARY UNIT HAS ONE. SO THINK ABOUT THIS, HOW WILL YOU BE IDENTIFIED IF YOU WERE CAPTURED BY AN ENEMY FORCE AND ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY FORCES WERE TO COME UP ON YOU THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO TELL WHAT MAJOR COMMAND THAT YOU ARE WITH. HOPEFULLY THIS ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION SGT. CHRISTOPHER. (HUAHH)!!!! RETIRED MSG.BATTLES. 14Z

If a soldier is actually deployed to a combat zone than they rate to wear a combat patch. I don't believe that there has been actual combat taken place in Kuwait since the early '90s so it would not have made sense to give people who deployed to there deployment patches after that. Than again Saddam did launch scuds at us for a few weeks before the invasion in 2003. So maybe then it would have been appropriate.