Posted on Apr 5, 2015
Combat patches: Are they for show or do they really mean something??
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The reason that I ask this is because my unit is deployed to Kuwait right now. Kuwait was reclassified before we got here as a non combat zone. There are many people who were upset about this and just as many who didn't care either way. I have noticed though that many people just say its just a patch it doesn't mean anything (they usually already have one though). So my question again. Is a combat patch just a patch or does it really mean something??
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Deployment
Combat
Honor
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 183
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A Combat patch means I sacrificed time away from my family that I will never get back. It means I missed my son's first steps. I means I missed my son's first words. It means when I came back my son didn't know who I was. It means I left a baby and came back to a boy and I can never get that back. So a combat patch means nothing? Are out of your mind.
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1SG (Join to see)
I am 0-3 on seeing my children's first steps.
I am proud to have done what I have done, but that is one thing I regret.
I am proud to have done what I have done, but that is one thing I regret.
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Everything on the uniform is "just for show" tabs, unit patches, qualification badges.... it's all just for show, all any uniform needs is rank and name....
though they'd look pretty stupid with just those...
though they'd look pretty stupid with just those...
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SGT Sean O'Hara
Look at the Marines, they are functioning perfectly fine without any patches, etc. However, it is Army tradition to wear patches and badges and tabs. For me, I look up to soldiers who have combat patches, qualification badges, etc. Those are the people I know I can ask for advice and talk to them about their experiences.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Personally I believe he army should do away with unit identification badges. Too many times soldiers who are "jacked up" are not addressed because people look at the patch and say they are not in my unit. Or the correction is made and the "jacked up" soldier caries on as they were doing because the one who confronted them was not in their command. With out unit identification badges you wouldn't know what unit command the person making the correction is from or weather they are AC, NG or AR. it shouldn't matter your component of command if some one tells you you are jacked up. Fix it. Soldiers have lost the integrity to correct themselves and many times tend to carry on as they were. Why? I won't mention my thoughts on that here but let's just say I came up in an army where an NCO wasn't worried about your feelings, the would hem you up on a second and stand there until you corrected the deficiency.
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SGT Chester Beedle
Unit identification is kind of important. Or would be in any large scale, actual war. To know who is who. Marines don't need it because they have only three total divisions. The Army is less needing them now because everyone is more dispersed. But at times when you might have multiple units working together it's kind of useful to know who is who.
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My combat means a lot to me. It reminds me of the sacrifice, blood sweat, tears and challenges I make every deployment to a foreign country...not knowing if I will coming on off the plane in a casket or not.
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Military life will never make you rich monetarily. Many things done will never be rewarded. The patches earned show jr. personnel your experience. This should also earn a bit of respect. So my simple answer is yes it does mean something. I would also like to add that Kuwait is not a combat zone. Earn the patch!
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SSG Christopher K.
Not trying to start an online argument here but it was classified as a combat zone up to a few months prior to me getting there which was in August of 2014
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It is to show that you have been in a theater of combat operations. But to me it depends on the wearer. I have friends that they don't care and don't wear it. But to me it is a pride that I like to show saying that I did something for my country and my unit and my FAMILY. I wear mine with pride. I have three. Only one actually seen COMBAT. The other two was defending something that never would have seen action. In the last two we took in coming allot! so to me I wasn't catching bullets but was in the area of mortars and COULD have taken one.
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SPC Armando De Santiago, I see your point on this question and agree with you completely. But there are those who do spend time away from there families doing there service for the military and do not get one based on the sole fact that they are in a "non combat area". I am one of those soldiers who are in one of those areas now. Does it "piss me off" no. I know that I am here I know what I have done. I don't need validation from others to make me feel better. However I have given just as much as someone sent to a "combat area", so what is the validation. It appears that no one likes the term combat patch either. So what differentiates the two???
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LTC Paul Labrador
"Combat patch" is the slang term for the real name for it: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWS). In the real name there is no mention of "combat" or a qualifier to be shot at. It only says "former wartime service". It is awarded for doing service in a theater of operations during "wartime". The issue is whether the mission you are supporting is considered "wartime" service or contingency ops (ie Bosnia, Haiti, or other non-combat deployments). For me, if you are directly supporting combat operations in the theater (even if you are in 'non-combat' areas), were receiving hazardous duty pay, and are eligible for a campaign ribbon and overseas bar, you should be eligible for a combat SSIFWS.
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SGT(P) Joe Zitzelberger
Wasn't the original name something like Overseas Shoulder Insignia or some such?
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Newer soldiers see those patches and know they can go to them for any advice regarding deployment or, guidance
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At the very least, it means that you served in a combat zone. In some way, shape or form, you put your life on hold; missed birthdays, anniversaries, hospital visits, etc., to help our nation fight its wars. Most of us who have one know the difference between being in a support role and being the shooters.
There should be a way to show the difference between those who did and those who didn't.
Wear it with pride. But be honest to yourself and with others about what you did and didn't.
Once a year, for Fourth of July celebration at my church, I shave my beard and wear my Class As. That combat patch is a matter of deep pride personally, but also of nothing for respect for those doing the actual fighting. It's my way of telling others, "Yes, I served in a combat zone, but it differs from my comrades who fought, bled an died." And are still doing so.
There should be a way to show the difference between those who did and those who didn't.
Wear it with pride. But be honest to yourself and with others about what you did and didn't.
Once a year, for Fourth of July celebration at my church, I shave my beard and wear my Class As. That combat patch is a matter of deep pride personally, but also of nothing for respect for those doing the actual fighting. It's my way of telling others, "Yes, I served in a combat zone, but it differs from my comrades who fought, bled an died." And are still doing so.
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CPT William Jones
Military people wear their resamay on their uniform. They stuff tells things like your rank current unit places you were station how long in and several other things hero medals,I was there, I did an exceptional job etc.
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only somebody that earned one in combat would know the answer is yes to us it means alo the one's that didn't survive and the ones that have died since of other things . So yes it does to us.
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The combat patch is a relatively new innovation to the Army uniform. If memory serves, starting during WW I w/ the 81st Inf Div "Wildcats" I believe. It soon spread initiating a sense of "Esprit de Corps" and ever since has been a part of Army tradition an lore...
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LTC Paul Labrador
Combat patch (ie worn on right sleeve to denote who you served with in combat theater) has been authorized since WW2, so it's been around for at least 70 years. Not "new" at all...
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MSG Bob Metz
LTC Paul Labrador - please take another look at my post. I referenced relatively new to the CP's wear on the uniform in regards to the Army's existence going back to 1776. Again, I believe it was the 81st Inf Div during WW I that had the first patch - "Widcats".
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
I do not see any reference to the long existence of the US Army in your post! Anything going on for 100 years as you stated is not recent! CSM
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