Posted on Dec 12, 2021
Do I get combat pay and a combat patch for getting deployed to Saudi Arabia?
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Deployment
Saudi Arabia
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 32
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BG Robert Enzenauer
I agree with ya Major. Both of my combat deployments were associated with un pleasant GI complaints. Doc ENZ, OEF2 and OIF2 vet
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MAJ Byron Oyler
BG Robert Enzenauer - I provided care for many blown up kids and detainees we did not succeed in killing on the battlefield. I could have done without seeing children blown up in Afghanistan.
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Having served at PSAB from Nov '20 to Mar '21, yes..."combat pay" is authorized and so is a patch for Saudi Arabia.
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MSG (Join to see)
CSM (Join to see) - CSM, I won't lie. I was taken aback when I was told KSA was a combat zone. The way it was explained to me was because PSAB was in direct path of missiles between KSA and Yemen...that's why HP/IDP was received and that made it combat zone.
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MSG (Join to see)
CSM (Join to see) - All it did was give me a little extra pay for 4 months and the ability to wear another patch on my sleeve for a unit that I refuse to wear.
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CPT (Join to see)
CSM (Join to see) - The awarding of a combat patch is location based both on the location and the potential for combat related injury or death. Being directly involved in combat and under enemy fire is usually signified by the CIB, CMB, and the CAB.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
Yeah Kobar towers. Many hi rise dwellings that were empty. I was told the people had nowhere to put their camels. I don’t know if that was true or not. CW3 Ed Heick
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CW3 Ed Heick
The city was built prior to Desert Shield, went up in 5 months. It felt like it. After the bombing there we were moved to tent city, until that was bombed, then Americana Hotel until that was bombed, underground airport, back to tent city . As well as the other glorious cities and countries where we got to see while there, Not. As far as camels... that's a story in themselves...
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SPC (Join to see)
He is definitely 100% Correct and seemingly to be the few individuals who actually know Saudi Arabia is deemed worthy of the Patch and IDP pay.
As well as Syria, Iraq, and Jordan are the other 3 countries that give incentives. Syria being exyra pay on top of IDP for Army.
As well as Syria, Iraq, and Jordan are the other 3 countries that give incentives. Syria being exyra pay on top of IDP for Army.
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Just to make it real simple, NO. Saudi is not a combat deployment. And believe me when I tell you that you don't want one from that region. It's hard, it's nasty, and you can come home missing parts Iraqi was no fun to be. Be thankful you are going to a country that is somewhat better.
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SSG Richard Brue
SPC (Join to see) - There are certain conditions, Ok, I went back and checked, to get a combat patch in Saudi is: From 14 Sep 2019, no end date. You have to receive combat-zone tax exclusion and hostile fire or imminent danger pay.
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SPC (Join to see)
SSG Richard Brue Except a Combat patch is also given whether or not you recieve IDP or hostile fire. The entire operation in Middle east offers Tax exclusion for you pay.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/combat-patch-regulation-ssi-fwts-fact-vs-fiction
The Patch Myth has been discussed before, You recieve a Patch for being in a Combat designated zone, Saudi is one of the 4 designated as Combat Zones, Due to Yemens attacks.
To recieve IDP you are required to have been in country for 30+ Days. Combat patches aren't directly associated with extra pay. Plenty of SMs have recieved their patch without recieving IDP or Hostile fire for just being in country for a day.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/combat-patch-regulation-ssi-fwts-fact-vs-fiction
The Patch Myth has been discussed before, You recieve a Patch for being in a Combat designated zone, Saudi is one of the 4 designated as Combat Zones, Due to Yemens attacks.
To recieve IDP you are required to have been in country for 30+ Days. Combat patches aren't directly associated with extra pay. Plenty of SMs have recieved their patch without recieving IDP or Hostile fire for just being in country for a day.
Combat Patch Regulation (SSI-FWTS), Fact vs Fiction? | RallyPoint
I’m an IMA soldier and while joining my active component unit for my 30 days of Annual Training, I was sent to a country considered to be in the AO for one of the ongoing Operations. A fellow officer mentioned I was authorized to wear our unit’s patch as a SSI-FWTS. He stated one day on orders in that country, in support of the Operation met the requirement to wear the patch as my SSI. I read the regulation and that seems to be the case but...
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PFC Tim Ammons
SSG Richard Brue which are both eligible with one day in country. Just because you don't respect it, doesn't make it illegitimate.
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SSG Richard Brue
PFC Tim Ammons - Now, If you would bother to read, you will see that I when back and check and what I wrote was exactly how it is written from Department of the Army. So whether or not I (as you put it) respect it, doesn't make a difference.
Let me tell all you barracks lawyers on here who think they are smarter than us older, long-time soldiers are, we are just putting information out as we know it. Now if things have changed since we got out that is not us. But before you go and put something on your uniform, you better check with your S1 or higher because if you don't you just don't, you just might find yourself in a world of pain.
Let me tell all you barracks lawyers on here who think they are smarter than us older, long-time soldiers are, we are just putting information out as we know it. Now if things have changed since we got out that is not us. But before you go and put something on your uniform, you better check with your S1 or higher because if you don't you just don't, you just might find yourself in a world of pain.
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It depends on whether or not Saudi Arabia is declared a combat zone. To the best of my knowledge the last time that happened was during the first Gulf War. If you were there recently (within the last few years) then I believe the answer is no for the combat patch, though you might qualify for combat pay since some operations in Saudi Arabia do support combat in Iraq and elsewhere. Here's the criteria listed in AR 670-1 for the combat patch:
21–18. Shoulder sleeve insignia–military operations in hostile conditions
a. General. Authorization to wear a SSI indicating service during military operations in hostile conditions
(MOHC) (formerly known as the SSI-former wartime service) applies only to Soldiers who meet or have met the following criteria:
(1) The Soldier must actively participate in or support military operations in hostile conditions, which must include exposure to the threat of hostile action or fire, either directly or indirectly.
(2) The Soldier’s participation or support described in paragraph 21–18a(1) must occur while the Soldier is located in an area that entitles the Soldier to receive the combat zone tax exclusion and entitles the Soldier to receive Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay (IDP).
I'm not certain that being in Saudi Arabia these days qualifies you for the combat patch due to the lack of hostile fire and/or threats of hostile fire.
21–18. Shoulder sleeve insignia–military operations in hostile conditions
a. General. Authorization to wear a SSI indicating service during military operations in hostile conditions
(MOHC) (formerly known as the SSI-former wartime service) applies only to Soldiers who meet or have met the following criteria:
(1) The Soldier must actively participate in or support military operations in hostile conditions, which must include exposure to the threat of hostile action or fire, either directly or indirectly.
(2) The Soldier’s participation or support described in paragraph 21–18a(1) must occur while the Soldier is located in an area that entitles the Soldier to receive the combat zone tax exclusion and entitles the Soldier to receive Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay (IDP).
I'm not certain that being in Saudi Arabia these days qualifies you for the combat patch due to the lack of hostile fire and/or threats of hostile fire.
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'Combat patch' is a misnomer. Technically, it is a 'Foreign Theater of War Service' and is authorized by regulation. http://www.hcdmag.com/ar-670-1/army-insignia/army-ssi-fwts/
AR 670-1 Chapter 21-17: Shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service - HCDMAG.COM
a. Authorization to wear a SSI indicating FWTS applies only to Soldiers who are/were assigned to U.S. Army units that meet all the following criteria outlined in AR 670–1. b. The SSI–FWTS is worn as follows: (1) Nonsubdued. At the option of the wearer, individuals who were members of an Army unit during one of […]
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Executive Order 12744—Designation of Arabian Peninsula Areas, Airspace, and Adjacent Waters as a Combat Zone
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