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

It means something, if your deployment meant something. I have a hunch that those who say it doesn't mean anything, never lost anyone in battle. I could be wrong, but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

I've never pulled a trigger, but it means a ton. I've done 48 hours awake during ongoing MASCALs and triaged 81 patients over two hours. Chemical Soldiers served as litter bearers. Loggies brought food to exhausted staff between events, as they were too busy getting ready for the next incident. My team unloaded Sea Knights filled with wounded Marines, Iraqis civilians, and Fedayeen, all on the same load, washed in rotor dust with the whining of engines drowned out all sounds. We were grateful when T-rat lasagna finally showed up, went weeks without a (non-baby wipe) shower. I've heard Patriots bang out of the launchers at Camp Udari as we J-listed and moved to bunkers. My wife has cared for green on green when a SPC Hassan Akbar rolled a frag grenade into a tent of 101st Soldiers. And my 19 yo medics just out of HS watched more than their fair share of Soldiers leave this earth in our trauma bay.
Everyone's experience will vary. To me, yes, the patch means something. But what do I know; I'm a REMF. Just my $0.02.

When it comes to combat or hazardous duty, pride in accomplishment.

Kuwait has not really been a combat zone since 2005. It has just taken way to long to change it. Troops in Korea have been, and are in more danger that Kuwait. If someone is "pissy" about not getting one they have too much time on their hand and need to think about requesting a move to Afghanistan

It does mean something. Back when I earned mine Kuwait was a country invaded by a dictator, we kick Saddam’s forces out of Kuwait, that’s why I have one! Today I imagine that nation allied with us is primarily a staging area. It’s like the difference between a Korean War vet(1950-53) and those who were stationed in Korea from the cease fire till now, even though all saw hostilities, only those in the original conflict are authorized to wear any Korean conflict issue. If you don’t have one yet, getting one is not fun! I’d rather go back to 1990 when we only trained for combat and the only man on my entire post that had a combat patch was my BN CSM, one of the last Vietnam vets still on duty at the time!

The unit patch worn on the left sleeve mean that person served in that unit in an area designated as a hostile fire zone during a designated time. That is all it means. Not that they did or did not see any sort of enemy activity. That sort of information is worm in the area that awards and medal are worn.

I view the dress uniform as a military CV. The combat patch, taken out of context, can be very misleading. Reserve units that have ROWPU or Laundry missions, for example, aren't as exposed as, say, the cav scouts or sappers they were attached to on my FOB in Western Ninewah, but their right sleeves hold the same emblem. When we were in OIF 3, or became difficult to discern the credibility of officers, for example, because the accoutrements of a QM company PL from division support wore the same uniform, except for name tapes, as the battalion surgeon and the infantry company XO. Then there's the issue with replacements. We had a stick show up, spend 3 days on the FOB, then fly to Kuwait for washrack duty for 6 weeks. When they got back to the company AO, we did customs on our CONEX for a week, then sat around for a few days before DEROS. They hit the 60 day mark in theater, with only 2 weeks in country, and zero days operational. One kid got his orders to PV2 after we got home. But when they pinned his mosquito wings, he already had matching patches on his shoulder.
In summary, right shoulder checks are good for spotting career academics, but to know about someone's experience, take in the entire fruit salad.

I can’t roll my eyes any harder at this. To those of us who have one it means something. To those who don’t have one oh well.

The combat patch is for those that serve in combat zones. Kuwait, Korea (except on the DMZ) and many other places don't rate it either. It's just the way it is. I never heard any complaints about it. 65 to 85. No participation trophies allowed for non participants.

If you look at my records I have three combat patches, one from Desert Storm with 3/15 Infantry, 24th ID Fort Stewart Ga. one from Iraq with 3/321 Field Artillery 18th FB Fort Bragg NC, and the the last one with 2BCT 101 st Fort Campbell Ky. My MOS was 94B/92G Food Service. I went in Support of my units and did what was asked of me to the best of my abilities. Sometimes it’s was doing my MOS, other times not so much. I am proud to have served with these unit and worn these patches to honor them and didn’t seek attention for my self