Is wearing a combat patch required? Did you feel you earned it in a support MOS?

I am proud to wear my combat patch though I was Maint myself I ran a PLT. and kept the combat vehicles able to do the job needed for the guys actually throwing shells down range

without spt units the Army doesn't move.

Wear it to Show it

Combat patch is just a term. Does not mean that you actually saw combat, just that you were serving with a unit during a conflict. If you were there at the the time, yes, you earned it. It's an Army of one, made up of many. That infantry grunt can't do his job without support of all kinds from meals to wheels to medics to flight crews.

It should not be a requirement,. If you don't feel like you should don't put it on. But you were in a combat zone and are entitled. Your support was needed.

As pretty much everyone has said, it's not a COMBAT patch, even though that's what we call it.

I also understand you were pressured to wear it. Just remember that with the exception of ceremonies, no one can MAKE you wear a combat patch - or special skill tabs either.

What you wear on your uniform is part of how you present yourself. The majority of Soldiers I have met are proud of all of their military accomplishments, and want to display every bell and whistle they can. However I have met a few who don't wear any of their bling unless they are in ASUs - for a variety of reasons. Personally, I don't wear a SSI-FWTS because it lets me choose whether or not to talk about my extensive deployment time. Having the patch on my shoulder is (for some people) an automatic conversation stater... "So, where were you deployed?" or (the worst, especially from civilians who know a little, but not a lot) "I see you've deployed. Did you kill anyone?"

Be aware that if you start a sentence with "When I was deployed..." (or downrange, in Iraq, etc.) and you are NOT wearing that patch, you WILL get funny looks. But ultimately, you know what you did or did not do. As long as you aren't wearing something you aren't authorized to wear, it is YOUR choice, and regardless of how much bluster is thrown at you, no one can make you wear it.*

*As already mentioned, SSI-FWTS CAN be required for ceremonies. It can also be required for inspections, such as ASUs "with all awards and decorations." Every rule has exceptions, and please do not attempt to print this off as justification to refuse an order which turns out to be lawful. When in doubt, refer to regulation, not to rally point.

The only new thing I will add is that by wearing your patch you display to others that you were in support of combat operations. There seems to be a difference between the level of respect and attention Soldiers give between those that wear theirs and the ones that have not earned theirs yet "slick sleeves". Just a little perspective from the trenches.

There is no requirement to wear any award or decoration except for your DA photo. You can't really mix and match however, if you decide to wear ribbons for example, you should wear all that you've been awarded. People/soldiers get too focused on the cloth and forget that it's the memories and bonds that matter. I deployed before the Combat Action Badge was a "thing" (2003-2004). No way would I go back and ask those I deployed with to sign a 4187 so I can have a shiny badge...they've deployed several more times...I did my two years and went back to the reserves. Bottom line, it's up to you...no question you've earned it but there isn't a requirement to put it on your duty uniform.

It is not required. You earned it don't get wrapped around the word "combat" everyone has a job to do and if you deployed and did what u were asked then u did your job so u earned the patch. Totally up to you if you wear it. People that havent deployed make a bigger deal out it then those of us who have.

I remember when I served as a Support Platoon Leader in a Division Cavalry unit. My Truckmaster, an experienced Sergeant First Class, was a great leader and I relied on him wholeheartedly. When it came time to complete his NCOER I took out his personnel folder and went through his background. He was Airborne, Ranger, and deployed to Vietnam with the 101sth Airborne Division, as well as had earned bachelor's and master's degrees. I was not surprised because he was a man of humility. However, I asked him why he didn't wear his badges and combat patch. He replied that the regulation only requires that he wear his name, U.S. Army, and unit of assignment, and that everything else was his business.

You wouldn't ask and they wouldn't have a special place for it if it didn't matter. Should it? Different question.