Is someone authorized a deployment patch for being placed in Camp Buerhing during Operation Spartan Shield?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 10:16:54 -0400

A soldier I have that served in my unit during the period of July 2016 to Feb 2017 in Operation Spartan Shield as a subsection to Operation Enduring Freedom. He wants to know if he's authorized to wear the deployment patch for being place in Camp Buehring for his time there. He was authorized his Overseas ribbon, Both GWOT's as well.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 11:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 11:07:01 -0400

By the regulations I do not think so, I know I was in Kuwait for a month or so after being in Afghanistan and we had to pay back haz pay for our time in Kuwait, so it is not considered a combat zone anymore.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 11:37 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 11:37:46 -0400

Kuwait is not considered a "combat zone" i served their in 2015 to 2016 and it was a misconception that we could wear deployment patches after 30 days but Buehring, Ali Al-Salem and AJ wasn't considered combat rotations. Now if you had a follow on mission somewhere like say Jordan, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq then yes have orders to those locations and subsequently go there in access of 30 days,
then yes.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 27 at 2018 11:43 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 11:43:06 -0400

I've never heard of a deployment patch but a COMBAT PATCH yes I've heard of that that can you imagine how many people would have patches on their right if they were called deployment patches.

Hmmmmmm

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Aug 27 at 2018 12:06 PM

SSG Keven Lahde — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 12:06:56 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member SGT no he is not authorized a Combat Patch since Kuwait is not a combat zone. Had he gone to Iraq, Afghanistan, Jordan..ect then he would. But otherwise no. My Unit was there in 2016 and they all rotated too Iraq too get a combat patch.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Aug 27 at 2018 12:53 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 12:53:23 -0400

Ask him if the unit he was attached to cut him orders for the wear of their unit patch. We don't just throw patches on. There's paperwork that goes with them.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 27 at 2018 1:13 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:13:06 -0400

He should be able to show you orders for his Combat Patches. Granted I was straight up in the Stan, the units we fell under all gave us orders authorizing us to wear them. No orders + no verification of forward deployed status = take that mess off.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 27 at 2018 1:35 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:35:49 -0400

Deployment path or do you mean combat patch?

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-combat-patch-rules-when-and-how-to-wear-the-patch-3344579

Rule Changes Regarding Army Combat Patches

Most Army soldiers who have served in combat operations can wear a combat patch to signify their service.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 4:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 16:22:13 -0400

Like previously mentioned, Kuwait is no longer considered a combat zone. You do not get a combat patch for being there. If he went north to Iraq for at least 24 hours, then he would be eligible. He should have orders authorizing the wear of his combat patch, but not every unit does that.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 27 at 2018 4:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 16:32:52 -0400

I worked in the C-8 of the 18ABC as an augmentee. Should I wear the 18ABC patch?

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Aug 27 at 2018 8:02 PM

MSG Greg Kelly — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 20:02:12 -0400

If you have orders sending you to Kuwait and Buerhing was your duty station then you are authorized to wear a deployment patch. Check with the unit would be the best way to find out. If your still not sure look at an LES see if you received hazardous duty pay. Cannot believe Buerhing was there in 17 I went through there on my to Iraq in 05. Feel so old.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2018 9:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 21:04:22 -0400

Respectfully, didn’t Operation Enduring Freedom come to a conclusion at the end of 2014? And Operation Freedoms Sentinel began at the beginning of 2015?

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Aug 28 at 2018 10:01 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 22:01:46 -0400

19–17

Shoulder sleeve insignia–former wartime service
a.
General.
Authorization to wear a SSI indicating former wartime service (FWTS) (SSI–FWTS) applies only to Soldiers who are/were assigned to U.S. Army units that meet the following criteria in subparagraph (1), below:
(1) The following criteria are required for wear of the SSI–FWTS:
(a) The Secretary of the Army or higher must declare the theater or area of operation as a hostile environment to
which the unit is assigned or Congress must pass a Declaration of War.
(b) The units must have actively participated in or supported ground combat operations against hostile0 forces in which they were exposed to the threat of enemy action or fire, either directly or indirectly.
(c) The military operation normally must have lasted for a period of 30 days or longer. An exception may be made when U.S. Army forces are engaged with a hostile force for a shorter period of time, when they meet all other criteria, and a recommendation from the general or flag officer in command is forwarded to the Chief of Staff, Army.
(d) The Chief of Staff, Army must approve the authorization for
wearing the SSI –FWTS.

(13)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): between 11 September 2001 and 31 December 2014, both dates inclusive, for Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Between 9 January 2002 and 31 December 2014, both dates inclusive, for those Soldiers deployed to the Philippines, in support of OEF, who received combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/IDP. Between 31 July 2002 and 31 December 2014, both dates inclusive, for
Soldiers deployed to the CENTCOM area of operations in support of OEF who received combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/IDP as identified by CENTCOM Command Center–Joint Staff for Personnel and Administration. Between 1January 2008 and 31 December 2014, both dates inclusive, for Soldiers deployed to Djibouti in support of OEF who received combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/IDP as identified by Africa Command (AFRICOM) Command Center–Joint Staff for Personnel and Administration. Soldiers who were deployed in the area of operations on training exercises or in support of operations other than OEF are not authorized the SSI–FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OEF.

So no, SSI-FWTS ended for OEF in 2014.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2018 11:57 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 23:57:47 -0400

SSI for KU..

GTFOH. This " soldier in your unit" is serious ?

Response by Diane Stephenson made Apr 21 at 2019 5:51 PM

Diane Stephenson — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 17:51:53 -0400

Kuwait is a combat zone right now. My son is over there and he is in a combat zone getting combat pay and will be able to wear a combat patch. By the Army is is designed a combat zone. The IRS lists it as a combat zone and they can't without authority from the Secretary of the Army. My son even gets a deferment from his taxes for being in a combat zone. There are the facts as they stand right now today. Anyone that tells you It is not a combat zone is very very wrong.

Response by SFC Gregory Heiny made Jul 22 at 2019 1:52 AM

SFC Gregory Heiny — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 01:52:09 -0400

I would say a 1 day deployment to a combat zone that entitles you to a combat patch is bull hockey. The Korean Peninsula is still an active combat zone. No peace treaty just a truce. Occasionally the North gets ticked off at the South or vice versa and a few friendly arty rounds go off on each other's territory and talks can get started again in Panmujon again? If you think being stationed in S. Korea is a vacation tell that to the Army personnel who have been killed in or around the DMZ.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 11:26 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 23:26:00 -0400

Honest opinion. With the facts that 1 you don’t choose where you go and 2 there are individuals who never left the fob I don’t see why those who deployed to a “non combat” area shouldn’t still be allowed to wear a patch. Certain MOS’s are also not required/beneficial in certain areas. Also I’ll admit I’m tired of being told I didn’t deploy by people who either were in the same area at a different time/never left a fob. But mostly I wonder why people are so judgmental about someone who doesn’t wear a patch.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jan 6 at 2021 7:47 PM

CPT William Jones — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 19:47:59 -0500

Ffolks read carefully. tHERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DEPLOYMENT PATCH.yOU ARE DEPLOYED ANYTIME YOU ARE ASSIGHNED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.The unit patch some of us wear/wore is for being in a unit in a hostile(combat)area as designated by the powers that be. Being assighned to an embasy staff is a deployment,South America, Africa, Europe etc are all deployments. Some come with dependants some dont I spent about 41 months total in one stretch deployed. To RVN and to Germany. Time in RVN combat time and pay and I have the patches for that. Time in Germany with dependant just a nice tour no comat all 40 plus months DEPLOYED.

Response by CPT William Jones made Jan 7 at 2021 1:40 PM

CPT William Jones — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:40:47 -0500

There is no such thing as a deployment patch. A soldier is deployed when they are assighned anyplace outside the states. Some deployments are accompanied some are not ,some to combat zones some are not. The patch worn on the right sleeve is for being assighned to a unit in a declared hostile fire zone at specified time nd locations. I was assighned outside the states for over 40 consecutive months. I spent 32 months in RVN A combat zone)and the rest accompanied in Germany. I was station there when Reforger 1 was conducted. For RVN tours I received several combat patches for different units assignments. I had different ones sewn (no velcro then) on different uniforms. So read carefully DEPLOYMENT MEANS STATIONED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, WHILE DEPLOYED YOU MIGHT BE IN A HOSTIE FIRE AREA AND GET A UNIT PATCH FOR YOUR RIGHT SLEEVE. You get deployed you are stationed outside the states if the area assighned to is also designated hostile fire zone you het a patch for right soldier. So during Iraqi and Afghanistan being hostile fire zones. It was possible to be deployed other places, Germany,Japan etc for a total of 10 years and not get a combat patch.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2024 2:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 14:29:11 -0400

No. I am in AJ now. This is a combat zone for IRS tax purposes only. This is not considered imminent danger or hostile fire zone.