Posted on Aug 3, 2014
Have you, or another soldier you known, not worn your awards on your uniform?
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In my time in the Army have seen soldiers from just about all ranks with various badges. I have also seen some that chose not to wear any badges on their daily uniform. I know some may say they can be used to judge you or your character as a soldier. Most of us in the infantry are familiar with the infamous tab check when you met another infantry leader. But what value does that place on the badge.
When I first arrived on Fort Bragg a long time ago just about every soldier here was Airborne. So, it was pretty much implied that you were Airborne. Especially if you were in one of the infantry units. At some point I didn’t wear my wings. I was pulled to the side by a Senior NCO and questioned why I wasn’t wearing my wings. I really didn’t have a good answer besides that I felt that being Airborne was no big deal. I was schooled up a bit by him. In the past being airborne was extremely challenging and those that were Airborne had to earn their wings. It would also instill a sense of pride. They were among the best that helped win wars. Over time we lost this emphasis on what it really meant to be airborne. After this I would sew on my wings, and now other badges, to my uniforms. I see it as an honor to wear my awards.
What have you seen of this? Does it really make a difference in esprit de corps of a unit to not wear your awards? What are your reasons if you choose not to wear them?
When I first arrived on Fort Bragg a long time ago just about every soldier here was Airborne. So, it was pretty much implied that you were Airborne. Especially if you were in one of the infantry units. At some point I didn’t wear my wings. I was pulled to the side by a Senior NCO and questioned why I wasn’t wearing my wings. I really didn’t have a good answer besides that I felt that being Airborne was no big deal. I was schooled up a bit by him. In the past being airborne was extremely challenging and those that were Airborne had to earn their wings. It would also instill a sense of pride. They were among the best that helped win wars. Over time we lost this emphasis on what it really meant to be airborne. After this I would sew on my wings, and now other badges, to my uniforms. I see it as an honor to wear my awards.
What have you seen of this? Does it really make a difference in esprit de corps of a unit to not wear your awards? What are your reasons if you choose not to wear them?
Edited 8 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
I've read a good bit thru the different posts on this thread and just shake my head about "I don't like to pin on badges"; my PSG told me my badges were part of my daily uniform; someone quoted the DA policy- local cdr can make wearing badges mandatory for etc, etc etc; I'm now wondering out loud, REALLY, this is the attitude. To me it's much to do about nothing, and yet much to do about something that no one has mentioned. What happened to Soldiers doing their best everyday, what happened to pride in their uniform; what happened to "I don't give a damn what he or she does, I'm gonna do what's right! Doing whats right is not always written in the manual; in the AR or passed on from some unit shit house lawyer. Some will say Im in Fk'd up unit, so I'll say, why does that make you choose to be fk'ed up right along with them. Here is a little secret for the "individuallsts", changes begin one Soldier at a time. Have the balls and fortitude to be a part of making that trasnsition is a helluva lot harder than it is to be a follow along jackass! For the ones who are in an Airborne unit and don't wear their badges, that represents a lack of individual fortitude, a lack of pride in the their unit, a lack of respect for those who came before them in that organization and remember it when it was a great unit. I hear a lot from Soldiers today, " I don't think that's right or I don't like to do this, they don't have the right to make us do ......etc...etc! These will be the same Soldiers who will be complaining when they get the letter that says, your services are no longer required, you will ETS in the 30-60 days! This will be the same Soldiers who will say, "They screwed me over and gave me a Bar to Renlistment"...or "They gave me a bad NCOER!" Bullshit, the whinning asses got exactly what they deserved, why because they wanted to be individual players and have it their way, and felt little to no inclination to considering what's best for the UNIT, or considering, what can my individual contribution be to better the UNIT! Things of this were NEVER an issue in my days (70s, 80s thru mid 90s). Seems to be a lack of leadership development, which actually begins with a PVT....and to much mollycoddling. The conflicts are winding down, everyone is coming home, the old peacetime rules, traditions, values, etc that Keeps a peace time Army on its toes till the next sounding of the charge is coming back. Either get with the program, times are gonna get tougher in the Army. Either Adjust fire with your individualists (It's about me) attitudes or don't blame anyone but yourselves when you go home and the next time you want it your way, it will be at Burger King. It's much easier to be an individualist then it is to be a team player.
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SPC Travis Grizzard
I agree. I earned my wings, and when I was told to take them off my BDUs to work on the birds, or get sew ons, I went and got sew ons.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I tended only to wear even service ribbons on MY Class A uniform only as it was required. on other uniforms the combos I wore were the required Police Badge, specialty badge and name tag. I was never impressed with hanging stuff all over My uniform.
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I always wore everything I had earned, but that was my choice and I never had an issue with those that chose not to wear theirs. It only bothered me when someone who chose not to wear theirs made derogatory comments about those who did, just because we chose to wear ours didn't make us glory-hounds or badge-chasers or any of the other labels I heard over the years. If you wear them good for you, be proud and show it, if not, same thing be proud of your accomplishments!
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3 things:
1. I knew a guy who walked around Afghanistan with the regulations in his pocket so when asked why he did not have his combat patch on his uniform. He simply did not appreciate how he was being treated by the unit and was not proud to be in the unit which seemed to be all about who can get a bronze star in this group and prevent others from it as well as setting up only some people for promotions.
2. I have a SSG now who does not wear a combat patch as he says that some people automatically give you respect because you have a combat patch, but you can have knowledge even if you did not deploy.
3. I do not wear my jump wings most of the time. I started back when I was doing change of command inventories during my first command and I just forgot to put them back on after doing laundry. Then it became a pain putting them on and off and then they scratched. I do not like how the ACUs look with everything sown so I wear them when I wear my "nice" uniform for CAO duties or special events or classes. I do not feel the need to brag about having the opportunity to go to the school and graduating. I know I have them and if people pay attention they know I have them. If not they are surprised when I put on a good uniform or my ASUs.
1. I knew a guy who walked around Afghanistan with the regulations in his pocket so when asked why he did not have his combat patch on his uniform. He simply did not appreciate how he was being treated by the unit and was not proud to be in the unit which seemed to be all about who can get a bronze star in this group and prevent others from it as well as setting up only some people for promotions.
2. I have a SSG now who does not wear a combat patch as he says that some people automatically give you respect because you have a combat patch, but you can have knowledge even if you did not deploy.
3. I do not wear my jump wings most of the time. I started back when I was doing change of command inventories during my first command and I just forgot to put them back on after doing laundry. Then it became a pain putting them on and off and then they scratched. I do not like how the ACUs look with everything sown so I wear them when I wear my "nice" uniform for CAO duties or special events or classes. I do not feel the need to brag about having the opportunity to go to the school and graduating. I know I have them and if people pay attention they know I have them. If not they are surprised when I put on a good uniform or my ASUs.
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LTC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) thought you could sow those on too? And sorry if you worried so much about keeping tabs on when you going into combat your focus may be on the wrong thing.
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CPT (Join to see)
You are not allowed to sew them on. I am going to do it anyway. Personally I am think it is a big deal. We are going a training mission and the other country we are working with has their own version of Rangers. It adds cred to anyone who has it as they know what it is. If I was patrolling the streets of baghdad again I wouldn't care but in this case when I am speaking to a CPT from another country he can see that I am not just a LT. Same goes with wearing my combat patch.
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LTC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) you should take your tablet and show them your famous post and see if they have the same question.
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I will let this one sit and see who can guess what it is. It is awarded by the Army (yes....our Army).
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SSG (Join to see)
I never received a Hamby. He was still running around "The Whale Gap" in his M151. It was a sad morning when we learned of his accident.
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You have categories: soldiers who have pride, soldiers who know they don't deserve them, soldiers who have bad memories of the badge, and ones who just don't care. So you will never know unless you ask a soldier. I've always been taught to lead by example and that starts with doing what's right. DA photo you have to wear all so why not any other time?
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SFC Scott Parkhurst
Very good input Sir....I have to admit, I didn't not look it that way. Memories for sure can be very painful and that I can totally understand....I may have to rethink my thoughts on this "pride" one. I've always been very proud and just also very "law abiding" if you can call it that when it comes to having my uniform together. Always scared to miss something. Actually I did do something wrong once after my TBI and was shocked that I missed it. I and it was even in caught in a photo and people were so mean about it too! So yeah, I've can understand not wanting to wear something do to trauma.....Thank you for pointing that out the way you did. I always like to have a open mind. You just helped me more so....
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Highly personal choice. I know some folks who don't wear them because they like to fly under the radar.
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There are times I don't wear my CMB as it isn't that I devalue it, but I don't feel that I have to advertise what I've done.
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SGT Suraj Dave
I am same with my CMB. In the past years, they have been handing out CMB's for no reason.
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I believe the regulation for all branches is that only personal awards are required to be worn. A CIB may not fit this criteria but a parachutist badge is... The simplest way is to just wear it and avoid the issue altogether; I don't know why anyone would not want to show what they have done and where they have been, it builds morale and shows subordinates that you know what the hell you're talking about.
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SSG (Join to see)
The Air Force mandates that an airman wear an "aircrew" badge if the SM has been awarded one. It's not an option.
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I usually never wear mine, only reason I wear them here is the wow factor with students, other than that I wouldn't wear them. Due to the fact I have nothing to prove. I'll let my leadership speak for its self. Badges / skill tabs doesnt make you a good role model or mentor, heart dedication and leadership does
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SFC (Join to see)
Earn the respect and their confidence show true leadership and I guarantee you that stigmata of loss of lieutenant will go away.
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - I am required to wear my Ranger Tab due to my position but when you see Guard soldiers we usually have a tendency to be viewed as not equal to our regular Army counter parts. Regardless as to what we think when a soldier another with a CIB, ABN wings, Ranger Tab they are going to command more respect to another that has none of that. I understand the logic of my leadership is enough but if that is why it is then we should do what the Marines do and not have badges. If the Army awarded it to me I am going to wear it.
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1LT William Clardy
CPT (Join to see)
We all know you did something. But because you've made it to 1LT, we have to wonder if it was [finally] something good.
I salute you, sir...
We all know you did something. But because you've made it to 1LT, we have to wonder if it was [finally] something good.
I salute you, sir...
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I wear some of my eye candy, only because I'm an instructor at ft. Sam, anywhere else I wouldn't wear them. I Have nothing to prove. I lead my leadership. The only reason I wear them here is for the wow fact for these young medic to see what a combat can earn.
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