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?
Awards
Badges
Edited 8 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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It's a personal choice. Like someone mentioned here already, 670-1 allows you to wear them or not when you wear ACUs based on your preference.
Most people prefer to wear their badges because it's a way of standing out and showing what you've accomplished. I have several sets of ACUs with all my badges sewn on, one one with straight velcro, no badges and no combat patch. If I'm going to the field or training I wear the one with nothing on it but my name tape. Personal preference.
Most people prefer to wear their badges because it's a way of standing out and showing what you've accomplished. I have several sets of ACUs with all my badges sewn on, one one with straight velcro, no badges and no combat patch. If I'm going to the field or training I wear the one with nothing on it but my name tape. Personal preference.
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I don't de-value what I have accomplished in my military career. I am very proud to have earned my Air Assault wings at the age of 39 I just don't feel the need to always have to advertise my achievements.
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I wear my AASLT wings because I am proud as hell to have finished that course. I only wear my CAB because it's been sewn on my uniforms for quite some time. If someone doesn't wear their badges, it makes me wonder why you wen't to the course in the first place. I am not degrading anyone who does this, it is just what passes through my head. I do take into consideration maybe they just didn't wear it today.
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Some days I wear my cib or eib some days I wear a combat patch.
I'm not here to show off what I got to others just how I feel that morning when I wake and if I want to throw the items on the uniform that it isn't currently sew on now
I'm not here to show off what I got to others just how I feel that morning when I wake and if I want to throw the items on the uniform that it isn't currently sew on now
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CPT (Join to see)
I just have mine sewn on. It makes this easier. As an officer they pretty much expect us to look as jazzed up. One day I didn't wear my CIB and wings and the evil eye. I then got that uniform sewn up too. Officer life can be rough.
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There are Soldiers who would compare their badges and tabs to that of wearing a combat patch. The common theme has always been, showing off, and to that I just do not agree. For deployment patches (varsity letters as my one platoon sergeant called them), badges and tabs are not a flashing pair of headlights or anything to draw attention; they're the mark in the sand of your career. I'm proud of the units that I served with in the sand box, and the accomplishments that we made. And discussing with other Soldiers who have the same patch or another is a great way to continue the legacy of our Army.
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I actually just got told by platoon sergeant that wearing my badges is a part of my uniform and non negotiable. I have two sets of uniforms where they are sewn on and two sets where everything is velcro and I can't stand pin on badges. I understand having pride in my set of wings but I think forcing your soldiers to wear them does absolutely nothing to increase their pride in them. It went from taking pride in my accomplishments to executing a chore real fast.
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SPC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) it was not explained and he isn't the type of guy who you want to ask him to explain anything.
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SPC (Join to see)
Haha SSG(P) Shane Walthers you have outdone yourself. I am immensely proud of my MOS and all that goes with it and whenever there are other units around or soldiers outside of our MOS in the vicinity I always try to look as sharp as possible with my red hat and wings. I think when it's just us we can be a little more casual but overall, and I should have emphasized this a little more earlier perhaps, my biggest beef is that we are being forced to wear them all the time. It isn't coming from my CO, 1SG, or my PL but my PSG because he wants us to. When someone is forced to do anything in the world it takes the fun out of it. I am proud of my wings and I like it when others notice them but I feel like this is somehow a competition he started between the platoons to show everyone we're more airborne than they are. It sounds silly but if you were in my unit you'd see it SSG.
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TSgt (Join to see)
SSG Walthers:
Bravo! Well said! Now that branch insignia is gone, the only MOS' that STILL wear their branch identification are: Chaplain, Aviation, and Riggers.
We should be proud of what we have accomplished and not be "afraid" to show our pride to other Soldiers. I think that is something that has been lost over the last decade-- professional self-esteem and pride. Apparently a small fraction of the Army has told the rest of us that if a lot of people have a badge, that you shouldn't wear yours. I think that's BS and degrades our accomplishments. As the Army shrinks, we should be WANTING to display our accomplishments and stand out, not blend in (SpecOps not included for obvious reasons). To those who would belittle those who are proud of their careers and accomplishments, you are part of what is wrong with our Army. Stop trying to bring others down because you have no professional self-esteem!
Bravo! Well said! Now that branch insignia is gone, the only MOS' that STILL wear their branch identification are: Chaplain, Aviation, and Riggers.
We should be proud of what we have accomplished and not be "afraid" to show our pride to other Soldiers. I think that is something that has been lost over the last decade-- professional self-esteem and pride. Apparently a small fraction of the Army has told the rest of us that if a lot of people have a badge, that you shouldn't wear yours. I think that's BS and degrades our accomplishments. As the Army shrinks, we should be WANTING to display our accomplishments and stand out, not blend in (SpecOps not included for obvious reasons). To those who would belittle those who are proud of their careers and accomplishments, you are part of what is wrong with our Army. Stop trying to bring others down because you have no professional self-esteem!
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CW2 (Join to see)
PFC Logan Mullins,
I can certainly relate, and for the longest time i was the same way, I didn't wat to wear my "201 file" because I thought it drew unneeded attention to myelf. It wasn't until I made SGT and got a talking to from a CW3 (sounding a lot like SSG Walthers) that my attitude changed. My rant would sound a lot like SSG Walthers, so I'll digress. Be proud of what you have acheived in the company of the like or not. Now in a DS BN, I get paratroopers that will come up and say "hey rigger, thanks for bringing me down safely", or "appreciate the re-suppy" having that distinction is an awesome accolade. Be proud, if you haven't done any research on our history and legacy do so. Then weather it's forcefed or not you will be able to educate and instill the same pride in those that look up to you! AATW
I can certainly relate, and for the longest time i was the same way, I didn't wat to wear my "201 file" because I thought it drew unneeded attention to myelf. It wasn't until I made SGT and got a talking to from a CW3 (sounding a lot like SSG Walthers) that my attitude changed. My rant would sound a lot like SSG Walthers, so I'll digress. Be proud of what you have acheived in the company of the like or not. Now in a DS BN, I get paratroopers that will come up and say "hey rigger, thanks for bringing me down safely", or "appreciate the re-suppy" having that distinction is an awesome accolade. Be proud, if you haven't done any research on our history and legacy do so. Then weather it's forcefed or not you will be able to educate and instill the same pride in those that look up to you! AATW
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