Do you really have a choice on which Combat Patch to wear?

SGT Suraj Dave — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 07:13:06 -0400

When I was in the 101st, 1st BCT, you were very highly discouraged from wearing any other combat patch aside from ours if you deployed with us. You would be pulled aside, and told you weren't a "team player". I had an NCO who wore a 1st Cav patch, and our CoC actually told him to "We don't wear pony patches around here". Seems kind of insulting...

One day, I gave my combat patch to one of my soldiers who forgot to put on his unit patch (After him paying for it ofcourse [in pushups]) I was publicly called out by an SNCO for not wearing my combat patch. I informed the SNCO of the ALARACT(Feb 2006) that stated the SSI-FTWS is optional to the soldier. Weather they wear it or not, or whichever one they choose to wear.

By forcing soldiers to wear a certain combat patch, or wearing one at all, isn't it taking away from the regulation, not adding to it?

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Apr 30 at 2014 9:32 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 21:32:44 -0400

My last unit made us only wear the 3rd ID patch while on both of my deployments with them. Once we redeployed back, we could wear whatever SSI-FTWS we wanted as long as we were authorized to wear it. I had to rest my 101st ABN DIV patch for a while but I always wear it on my ACUs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 9:43 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 May 2014 09:43:51 -0400

Heck, I deployed with 1-94FAR(17th Fires Brigade) I wore there patch up until we got attached to 1-82FAR (1CAV). We deployed as a battery element, so to this day I still wear 1ST CAV with pride. Strike Fast Whoop Ass! Dragons! I mean our headquarters came later but we rode with CAV through it all.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made May 2 at 2014 8:41 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Fri, 02 May 2014 08:41:37 -0400

The best way to lower morale in a unit is for a leader to "require" you wear a certain patch. I have never understood what they were thinking.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2014 10:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 May 2014 10:30:18 -0400

Im in 1st CAV now and im am dying over the comment "pony patches" lol

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 12:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:38:37 -0400

Shoot.. I've got a different patch for every day of the work week.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2014 3:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:32:54 -0400

Were a Senior Leader ever to bring up this line of questioning, I would ask them why they felt it necessary to discount every other unit I've deployed with. I don't avoid wearing my latest one, (even though initially I felt that "bookends" were a bit of an amateur move) I do however like to switch back and forth; as is, and should be, my prerogotive.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 7:47 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 07:47:36 -0500

In addition to the ALARACT, there is actually legal precedent too. At some point a commander ordered his unit to ONLY wear that unit's combat (SSI/FWTS) patch. A Junior Enlistedman who knew the ALARACT challenged him on it. It went all the way to courtmartial and the Junior Enlistedman won.

When I was in 101st, I also got chewed at a company board for wearing my 10th Mountain patch. So I know that type of harassment still happens.

I also had a SSG (I was a SPC at the time) tell me that I was wearing the wrong CSIB on my ASUs. I asked him how he figured that. He claimed that you can only wear your most recent SSI/FWTS on your ASUs. I asked him if he was confident enough in his opinion to bet his next paycheck on it. He asked if I could cover his next paycheck. I told him that I don't have to because I already have the answer in black & white, and was just waiting for him to shake on it (there were witnesses too). He walked away without another word.

Amazing that many leaders don't keep up with the regs. Part of being a good leader is knowing the regs so you can enforce them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 8:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:06:55 -0500

That last part about "add to but not take away" is tribal knowledge and not in the regs. It's a cop out for lazy leaders.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 8:49 AM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:49:40 -0500

Ehh. It's merely a matter of unit pride. Yes, you can wear any patch that you are authorized to wear. What's on your right sleeve bears no true significance to me, personally. With that, I don't get wrapped around the axel over senior leaders "suggesting" I wear the current unit's combat patch.

This is small potatoes and there's no need to mash 'em.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 9:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 09:18:34 -0500

It all falls on the Soldier. I've got orders to wear a few, but I choose to wear the 310th ESC patch, and why, well that's a solid story.

The 310th Patch (attached) is a connected set of links that display the importance of all units in the command (a chain is only as strong as its weakest link). To me, it looks like a bulls eye, and it was the patch that I was wearing when some 'unfriendly types' tried to tag me with a mortar round (I know, who tries to hit a point target with area effect?). Suffice to say, they missed, and I got some shrapnel to remember the moment. But, the patch helps remind me of the good and bad times of deployment...

And, that no matter how rough military and personal life can get--things could always be much worse.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 11:44 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 11:44:12 -0500

I went with the same brigade for 2 deployment, but the first deployment my company had a 1 cav patching ceremony. tho technically not right many are still wearing it. The 2nd deployment they created us a memo awarding our brigade patch.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 7:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:10:27 -0400

This is why our Army is in the dumps. Instead of being focused on developing a challenging PT program, or setting up an engaging SGT time training event, or anything else worth sweating, we have leaders worried about what "licky-chewy" you decide to wear on your work uniform. Thankful to be working in a unit that doesnt care about things so trivial

Response by CSM Robert J. "Bob" Parr, RD made Feb 16 at 2016 2:02 PM

CSM Robert J. "Bob" Parr, RD — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 14:02:20 -0500

I always beleive that the Soldier should wear the one that has the most meaning for them.

CSM (Ret) Robert Parr

Response by SGT Eliyahu Rooff made Feb 18 at 2016 9:02 AM

SGT Eliyahu Rooff — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 09:02:59 -0500

If a unit is well-led and effective, with high morale, the members will want to wear that patch as a combat patch. If not, trying to require it is just bullying people into submission. I have a choice between a MACV patch and 2nd ID patch, and have always chosen the latter simply because of the difference in how I was treated as a member.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 3 at 2016 1:46 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:46:37 -0500

Not a regulation thing, more an "encouraging espirit de corps" thing... "The beatings will continue until morale improves".

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 6 at 2016 1:44 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 01:44:21 -0500

This discussion is probably why Marines don't wear any patches. One less thing to fight over.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2016 3:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:11:41 -0400

the 101st has that mentality, I choose to wear my first combat patch but get looked down upon by those who have never tasted the mixture of blood and sweat and sand. But it is my choice.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2019 9:45 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 May 2019 21:45:02 -0400

I have earned multiple CSIBs over the years as well and back when i was an NCO....I preformed a sort of social experiment with this. I noticed a immediately and sometimes dramatic difference in how i was perceived, reguarded, and geneally treated by all Soldier demographics. With that knowledge it was easy to attempt to fit in more or less with which ever demographic i matched most. Ive had long hard, emotional talks with vets wearing 4id and been welcomed by AR and NG guys when wearing theirs, as well as seemed more approachable and sought out by young Soldiers wearing no patch at all. Command teams will seek you out in your silence for them or ignore your valid input without. If you don't think it matters (and you can) try it out next time you go TDY. Missions, conferences, schools...you'll be surprised and frustrated. Its like a form of discrimination. We must live by the Creed...be fair and impartial out there troops.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2019 11:12 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 23:12:51 -0400

I have and and always will wear the
1st Aviation Big.

Response by SPC David Glines made Jun 11 at 2019 12:25 AM

SPC David Glines — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 00:25:44 -0400

It should be your choice

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 1 at 2019 2:50 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 14:50:42 -0400

I worked in the 18th ABN staff as an augmentee and one SGM told me I could not wear the patch. That sounded illogical to me.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jul 1 at 2019 3:11 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 15:11:35 -0400

We required Soldiers to wear the currently deployed combat patch at the ceremony on the day they were issued it, and when we cased the colors at the end of deployment. The rest of the time it was whatever one they had earned and preferred. Some of the patches carry a great deal of meaning to individuals based on events of the deployments that went with the patch. We realized that and didn't want to dampen that. I think that's why we didn't encounter issues like this. Sometimes you give a little ....get a lot back.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 1 at 2019 4:46 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 16:46:54 -0400

I believe their point is the moral and esprit indicated by wearing the patch of the assigned unit if you deployed with them. Why wouldn’t you wear it. You have every right. It some people take it as a subliminal message. Is it really worth it to you, do you have a good argument for a CSM or Commander who challenges why you choose not to wear it? Anyway, food for thought. Thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Richard Cheek made Oct 13 at 2019 9:51 AM

MAJ Richard Cheek — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 09:51:27 -0400

I have 3 different combat patches I wear the one I got my CIB with.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2021 3:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Dec 2021 15:53:31 -0500

DA PAM 670-1, paragraph 21-18 b: "Soldiers who are authorized to wear more than one SSI–MOHC have the option of choosing which SSI–MOHC they will wear. Soldiers will not sew the SSI–MOHC on the combat uniform. Soldiers may also elect not to wear a SSI–MOHC."

That being said some individual commands have dictated otherwise. For example when I deployed to Afghanistan the first sergeant told us after the combat patch ceremony that for the rest of that deployment and until we transfer out of the company we had to wear the current unit patch as the combat patch. He said that it meant we were loyal to the unit or something like that.