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

I wish more SMs realized that patches and insignias are little more than "merit badges" in the Boy Scouts. They cost no more than $2-3, but yet we spend so much time worried about getting them. We waste unit budgets in sending people to "career progression" courses, only to end up losing them once they graduate. We can't keep the talent we have because we sell them off for a silly piece of cloth. I get the symbolism, but we need to stop taking it so literally. There are plenty of good leaders with less badges, and really toxic or unprofessional leaders with many. I never understood why the Army says "one fight, one team," and then promotes this toxic individualism at the same time.

SFC Mikolajczyk

To me it does matter. I have three deployments to The Middle East. Kuwait 2001-2002, Baghdad, Iraq 2005 -2006, and Kuwait again in 2007-2008. Aside from my NCOER's and all other relevant information to my competence of being an 11B30 and 74D30 NCO, this is something they look for on your "right" shoulder. They being your BN CDR and Higher. Had a fellow 74D30 CBRN NCO, become very nervous when I found out I had heard about a position as a 74D30 CBRN. Our skill set were identical, except for one thing. Care to take a guess? My Deputy Commander stated that if I were to pursue this position, who do you think would get it? Just my observations and thoughts.

The four i have mean a great deal to me. Dont have one and want one...deploy. For everyone that deployed it has different meanings. It could be the train up and the friends you deployed with. It could signify you were in combat or a hostile environment.

They honor the friends who did not get to come home.

It means you are a battle tested soldier, that is a lot. When I talk to someone I usually look at that right shoulder first. Five rows of ribbons don't mean a lot when the highest award is perfect attendance

I think they still have meaning and provide a link to a persons service and a source of Esprit de corps. I know I am happy to have earned the ones I have, as a Soldier they led to acceptance by the units we supported and as a veteran they have been great conversation starters.

I don't think I really understood how much weight a combat patch had until I left active duty and did a couple years in the guard where no one has one. Its almost instant leadership (as long as your not a total turd) because simply leaving the wire everyday gives you a wealth of experience that other soldier just don't have no matter how squared away they are.

It means you did something. Every patch,award, ribbon, rank or certificate the service has to offer is earned through blood, sweat and tears. While there are some who get combat patches for being in the rear with the gear, they still did that job while on hostile ground. So anyone who questions a combat patch and wonders if it’s just for show, has never faced long days and sleepless nights in the enemy’s back yard!

I have deployed 4 times to a combat area with different units so I can wear numerous patches