Do you get a deployment patch for a 3 month training rotation to Bulgaria?

2021-02-09T21:01:18-05:00

I just got to my new unit and there’s a few people that wear a deployment patch for doing a 3 month training rotation to Bulgaria, I thought deployment patches were only for hazardous location such as Afghanistan.

Response by MSG Richard Medina made Feb 9 at 2021 9:24 PM

2021-02-09T21:24:32-05:00

I've been out for awhile. But they should only get an overseas service ribbon, not an c ombat patch unless Bulgaria is considered a hazardous duty or imminent danger zone. Which I don't believe it is.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 9:27 PM

2021-02-09T21:27:11-05:00

Not unless that tour was in the 1940s

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 9:29 PM

2021-02-09T21:29:48-05:00

AR 670-1 Para 21–17 says No

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 9 at 2021 9:33 PM

2021-02-09T21:33:07-05:00

What is a deployment patch?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 10:16 PM

2021-02-09T22:16:00-05:00

I think you are missing the purpose of a "Combat Patch." It is not a "I went overseas and hung out patch."

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 10:35 PM

2021-02-09T22:35:14-05:00

That's a Negative, Ghostrider.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2021 12:30 AM

2021-02-10T00:30:39-05:00

The time spend in a combat zone don't matter to obtain a combat patch SSI so 3 month 30day even 1 day ok however a rotation to Bulgaria isn't combat zone so those guys shouldn't be wearing it

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2021 5:12 AM

2021-02-10T05:12:08-05:00

Too easy : AR 760-1 (and I believe the accompanying PAM) clearly spell out the circumstances that lead to the wearing of that patch.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 10 at 2021 8:29 AM

2021-02-10T08:29:25-05:00

Well if there a few that are wearing "deployment patches" then one of two things has occurred. 1) several someones in your unit are ate up and need serious corrections including but not limited to the commander, 1st Sgt and NCOes 2) You got yoinked, like going to fetch a box of ground guides or a tube of elbow grease.

There is no "deployment patch." There are patches for seeing combat, but not for just rotating into a country and rotating out when there is no hostile actions ongoing as approved by DOD.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 10 at 2021 8:57 AM

2021-02-10T08:57:52-05:00

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 10 at 2021 11:26 AM

2021-02-10T11:26:08-05:00

Some CSM and 1SG's are not doing there jobs, scratch that, every fracking NCO should be all over that!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2021 3:23 PM

2021-02-10T15:23:48-05:00

"The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Former Wartime Service will now be called the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Military Operations in Hostile Conditions. It is authorized for soldiers who served on combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, but also those who served in certain countries considered hostile areas.

"Sometimes, we go to certain locations, and we don't plan on that to be hostile conditions, but it may turn hostile," Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston said. "How do we recognize those soldiers who are out doing what we have asked them to do? ... So we allow them to wear the shoulder sleeve insignia for the unit. I think that is appropriate."

The new shoulder sleeve insignia is currently authorized for Somalia, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Jordan and Syria."

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/01/27/army-rolls-out-army-green-uniform-wear-guidelines-renames-combat-patch.html#:~:text=The%20new%20shoulder%20sleeve%20insignia,optional%20undershirt%20designed%20for%20nursing.

But - that's currently. I don't know when these people went to Bulgaria or if it may have been authorized at some point without doing some research into it. I would say 'no." Did they say that is what it was for?

It may be possible but it wouldn't have been for a training exercise or TDY. This NG unit appears to have gotten theirs for Bulgaria:

"Additionally, the Department of Military Affairs says in 2002, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the unit was deployed to Europe as part of Task Force Santa Fe, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Soldiers with the 2-130th became the first United States troops to train in Bulgaria after the previous Soviet Bloc nation was accepted into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization " But that was in 2002.

I don't think this is what the article is about I pulled that from but if it was part of something for OIF/OEF maybe? But it doesn't sound like it. Ask any leadership if there's orders for it.

https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/deployed-illinois-army-national-guard-soldiers-receive-combat-service-patch/article_896a8a90-e3c6-11ea-bb61-bbeae091df3d.html

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Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 12 at 2021 6:24 AM

2021-02-12T06:24:48-05:00

Are you sure they are not pulling your leg. There is no sort of conflict in Bulgaria that warrants a service patch. There may be some local policy allowing Soldier's to identify with something for a period of recognition. While not IAE policy, it may be done. I would ask a senior leaders what they are.

Response by SSG Tim Ingle made Feb 12 at 2021 10:09 AM

2021-02-12T10:09:36-05:00

First read the regulation on authorization to wear a combat patch. Second, did the unit get orders authorizing the wear of the patch? There is your answer

Response by SSG Greg Miech made Feb 15 at 2021 2:27 PM

2021-02-15T14:27:01-05:00

I do not think they will be wearing them for long as a combat patch.