Posted on Apr 26, 2014
Do you really have a choice on which Combat Patch to wear?
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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?
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?
Posted in these groups: 
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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I always beleive that the Soldier should wear the one that has the most meaning for them.
CSM (Ret) Robert Parr
CSM (Ret) Robert Parr
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SSG Jason Trammell
Right, I have 7 total, I wore a different one every day. I wore 18 Airborne Corps on my Greens.
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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.
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.
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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.
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CSM Robert J. "Bob" Parr, RD
My father was a Soldier and he set up a uniform for each one. Depending on who would be there he would choose which to wear.
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CSM Richard StCyr
CSM Robert J. "Bob" Parr, RD - That's what I did with the new dress uniform and the enameled badges. If it's something for the 4th ID I put the one for that deployment in recognition of them. Engineer functions I put on the 416th ENCOM one. They were both important to me for different reasons.
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CSM Robert J. "Bob" Parr, RD
I grew up in an Army Family and my Father wore:fatigues, khakis (tans), greens, blues, and whites. Tans were the working uniform most of the time and I do remember his closet. He served both in the Pacific and Korea. For me I was always proud of whatever patch I wore.
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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.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Sir, is there actual regulation stating you must while deployed wear your current units SSI?
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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.
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This discussion is probably why Marines don't wear any patches. One less thing to fight over.
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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
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