Posted on Feb 13, 2016
Is wearing a combat patch required? Did you feel you earned it in a support MOS?
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I didn't feel a combat patch was a big deal, since I was just doing the same thing deployed as if I was stateside. I never saw 'combat' like infantry units. I was maintenance. Am I the only one?
Posted in these groups: 
15D: Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
15D: Aircraft Powertrain Repairer Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 109
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SPC Dollins, we all must do our job. I was 52 D never saw combat, them soldier up front require our support. You made it possible for the Aircraft to operate. Thank you for your service Brother.
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If I clean the bathrooms at Harvard for 8 years do I get a Masters Degree from there?
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SPC James Dollins
So if I understand you right, support MOS's shouldn't be authorized combat patches?
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SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates
Never confuse the difference between 8 years cleaning bathrooms with 8 years cleaning the bathrooms to fund the degree being earned at the same time. However, I don't see this analogy as properly fitting because the combat patch supposedly represents time spent in a combat zone. It does not represent combat itself, although maybe it should. Everyone signing up for military service volunteers for risk. Each of us signed up to sacrifice something. Remember "All gave some, some gave all"? It is true. I gave some even though I never deployed. I pushed paper, but I still signed up to do my job wherever anytime under whatever was needed. I had a baby during this time. Had I been in VII Corps instead of V Corps, I would have deployed instead of returning to an office to work 6 am to 10 pm my first day back so we could catch up on a backlog. I would have been away from my newborn for months instead of the two weeks I spent at a field problem. I would have risked more than just the every day possibility that a terrorist might drive by our housing area and blow up my family. I will not downplay my sacrifice because it was rough. However, I will never expect to receive the same deference I would hope to give those who deploy. Beyond that, I would give the most deference to those who honorably served in the most dangerous areas on the most dangerous missions. This is what the medals are supposed to be fore. It is not for me to question someone wearing the patch if they were deployed for the time required to wear it. My prayer is that they do so honorably. I gave some and was prepared to give all, but since my "some" was slight in comparison to so many, I absolutely respect those of you who deployed, even the twirps that were stupid while there, because they risked life and limb too. Sadly, they risked lives and limbs of everyone around them, but so did the two soldiers that decided to play baseball with mines in 1991.
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it you are in a combat theater you are other rise to weir that patch. weather or not you see combat . that and it looks good on the uniform.
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I've deployed twice and I'm only in the National Guard... I first came into the military as an 11bravo. Reclassed to an 88mike. Due to my 11 bravo background I deployed as the Cav... A lot of people judge you if you don't have a combat patch like you're not a soldier or something... It just shows how ignorant people are... I'm like come on we wear the same uniform... So when I see people look at my right arm and see no patch and don't talk to me then they're not worth my time I have nothing to prove anyways... All I care about is if you wear that uniform do you have my six??? Besides if you've deployed you should be teaching the one who didn't deploy what to expect so they dont panick... That's just me true blue
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This is a question that you should ask your First Sergeant, because Tops are better suited to explain to you the proper wear of the uniform, or you can just go ahead and wear your deployment patch/combat patch.
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The combat patch isn't there to show bravado. It there to show you have been through the deployment process. It's about experience.
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Speaking as a soldier who never deployed as a result of unit assignments (along with my MOS), I believe you did earn your combat patch as long as you were deployed to a combat area because you could have seen combat at any time and had to perform your duties with that in mind. It does not matter whether or not your job changed, especially since maintenance in theater and in the rear is more closely aligned that some other jobs. For instance, MY job during "peace time" and in the rear involves a broad range of personnel management activities ranging from processing an id card to cutting orders for a good conduct medal. My job during "war time" or in a combat environment is reduced to very few things, in fact, basically TWO: casualty reports and war-time awards. However, I would be required to also work with other types of war-time tasks that are not even conducted during peace time, such as "per sitreps" or personnel situation reports at the unit level to which assigned (battalion, brigade, division or corps). The risk you would take as a maintenance technician is much higher than anything I would have been exposed to. However, we would both be at risk for a combat situation at any time, and that risk is what earns the patch. If activity finds you, then there are other ways you should be recognized. I hope this helps you feel more honored rather than unworthy to wear that patch. Thank you for your service.
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Spc. I servered from 88-96 and never deployed .But I did experience 2 events that changed my life forever.
We've all done our part.Be proud of your service.you helped save lives and changed the lives of many by your duties deployed and home.wear it with honor.it represents your hard work and devotion to your brothers/sisters.You've earned it.Spc Davis retired Army veteran .
We've all done our part.Be proud of your service.you helped save lives and changed the lives of many by your duties deployed and home.wear it with honor.it represents your hard work and devotion to your brothers/sisters.You've earned it.Spc Davis retired Army veteran .
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There is no requirement to wear it. You can not wear it if you are not authorized, but if you are authorized it is your choice if you do or not. But, do not think for one second it was not deserved... I was a 19D in my times in the Army and all we did was made possible by our support troops. I didn't see it then, but as I was getting promotions I realized that our vehicles are useless without proper maintenance, our weapons can not be fixed without and armorer, our meal would not be hot without an operating kitchen, potable water etc. etc.....
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The "combat patch" recognizes a Soldier's service in a combat zone...not for performing actual direct combat operations (infantry, engineers, artillery et al). Get over your guilt and self doubt; and get in uniform with the patch on you right shoulder - Soldier.
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