Is the 1st Marine Division Patch an authorized Army combat patch?

2019-07-14T18:19:56-04:00

Marines do not wear combat patches on any of our uniforms, but we do have patches that represent our Divisions. I recently encountered a US Army soldier who is a former Marine and he had a 1st Marine Division patch on his right shoulder. Has the Army authorized this patch to be worn as a combat patch for soldiers who served in combat when they were in the Marine Corps?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 6:41 PM

2019-07-14T18:41:35-04:00

Here's a good thread with info on this topic sir. Short regulatory answer is no. Not if you werent in the Army...doesn't quite make sense to me though.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-guidance-is-used-in-the-army-for-prior-service-marines-to-wear-the-1st-or-3rd-mardiv-patch

What guidance is used in the Army for prior service Marines to wear the 1st or 3rd MARDIV patch?...

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 14 at 2019 7:04 PM

2019-07-14T19:04:03-04:00

Simple is this. If the Soldier was not in the Army, and had assignment orders to the unit, at the time that the Soldier was in combat with another service, it is not authorized.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 8:15 PM

2019-07-14T20:15:08-04:00

If you were in a unit that was aligned under a Marine Division, then yes.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2019 9:08 PM

2019-07-14T21:08:50-04:00

IAW AR 670-1 21-17 b. (14),
Soldiers who served with the 1st Marine Division between 19 March 2003 and 21 April 2003 during combat operations in support of OIF are authorized to wear the 1st Marine Division SSI as their SSI–FWTS.
**Note this is a very limited 34-day period where it is authorized.
So, if he was in the Army during this period, deployed to CENTCOM area in support of OIF, and served with 1 MARDIV, it is authorized. If he doesn't meet this criteria, it isn't authorized.

Response by LCpl Russell Wallace made Jul 14 at 2019 10:18 PM

2019-07-14T22:18:07-04:00

Yes

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Jul 14 at 2019 10:49 PM

2019-07-14T22:49:08-04:00

We used to fight over if we could wear shooting badges, USMC, on an Army uniform for former Marines. It was yes in 1983-4 maybe 85. I do remember hearing that the Ranger unit that went to Parris Island for 2 weeks of shooting, and qualified on the KD range were allowed to wear the USMC Shooting Badges.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 15 at 2019 1:01 AM

2019-07-15T01:01:33-04:00

That's a good question for AR670-1

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2019 8:01 AM

2019-07-15T08:01:11-04:00

I get this all the time according to regulation if that person was a soldier attached to 1st MarDiv then yes. If that person was a Marine and not a soldier then it isn't authorized, I have gotten into it with a lot of my fellow marines that are also in the Army that wear there 2nd MarDiv patches. But truthfully no one really ever cares or says anything. Reason why I never care about wearing anything I don't even wear my DS badge unless I have to put my campaign hat on then it is a must.

Response by LCpl Russell Wallace made Jul 15 at 2019 12:02 PM

2019-07-15T12:02:20-04:00

Also you’re a snitch. Stop snitching and stop sweating what other people are doing who are clearly your betters.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2019 10:56 PM

2019-10-03T22:56:36-04:00

Since prior service Marines are NOT allowed to wear their division patch as a "combat patch"....

(stupid question but I'll ask anyway)

....Does this apply to the Army service uniform as well when it comes to wearing a "combat badge?"

I'm only asking because I feel like I'm going to raise some red flags if I have 6 overseas stripes on my right sleeve and no combat badge.

Response by SFC Harry Fox made May 9 at 2020 4:06 PM

2020-05-09T16:06:57-04:00

The unit I was apart, 1st Field Artillery Detachment (1FAD)of during OIF 1 was awarded that patch.

Response by SSG James Dolen made Oct 21 at 2022 7:46 PM

2022-10-21T19:46:13-04:00

It used to be authorized but was banned sometime in the late 1980's or early 1990's.