Posted on Apr 16, 2019
(READ UPDATE!!!) How do you handle a situation where a Soldier is wearing a deployment patch they did not earn? What are the repercussions?
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Backstory: Soldier went in country (Iraq) for 6 days and went back to Kuwait. He now feels entitled to be able to wear a "combat patch" (his words not mine). Regulation states must be 30 days in country (combat zone; not Kuwait anymore) to qualify for a deployment patch.
((UPDATE)): I just learned from several people AR 670-1 has been updated to reflect that the amount of days boots on ground no longer matters. Most up-to-date AR 670-1 states:
"The military operation must have lasted for a period of 30 days or longer" (i.e. OIF, OIR, etc...)
"Soldiers of all Army components (Active, ARNG, and USAR) who deploy during periods of service designated for wear of the SSI–FWTS are authorized to wear a SSI–FWTS. There are no time-in-theater requirements for authoriza-tion to wear the SSI–FWTS. Soldiers may not earn more than one SSI–FWTS during the same deployment."
The Soldier can wear his deployment patch and I already let him know I made a mistake. Leaders make mistakes but it's how we fix or respond to those mistakes that matter. Good learning experience. Thank you to everyone who provided constructive feedback.
((UPDATE)): I just learned from several people AR 670-1 has been updated to reflect that the amount of days boots on ground no longer matters. Most up-to-date AR 670-1 states:
"The military operation must have lasted for a period of 30 days or longer" (i.e. OIF, OIR, etc...)
"Soldiers of all Army components (Active, ARNG, and USAR) who deploy during periods of service designated for wear of the SSI–FWTS are authorized to wear a SSI–FWTS. There are no time-in-theater requirements for authoriza-tion to wear the SSI–FWTS. Soldiers may not earn more than one SSI–FWTS during the same deployment."
The Soldier can wear his deployment patch and I already let him know I made a mistake. Leaders make mistakes but it's how we fix or respond to those mistakes that matter. Good learning experience. Thank you to everyone who provided constructive feedback.
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 63
From my understanding (just got back stateside last summer from a deployment to Iraq) the requirement for a patch now is 1 day. Our HQ element was in Kuwait while we were in Iraq and they would filter soldiers through 2 weeks at a time just so they could get a patch. That being said, the soldier would need to be able to provide documentation that they were ordered into Iraq for any period of time. Simple word of mouth doesn’t count.
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1LT (Join to see)
There is no time in theater requirement. That is why people are going for 5 minutes and sayonara. I'm just the messenger.
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You should double check. My unit was in ME 2017-18. My understanding (and the unit's) was 24 hours. You better check and be right before calling someone else out.
That should be what you do in any situation, TBH.
That should be what you do in any situation, TBH.
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
Sir, you should read the entire thread before commenting. We've all established that AR 670-1 has been updated to reflect 1 days boots on ground as long as the operation lasts longer than 30 days. I was going off of the reg that I knew where it had to be 30 days on ground for a deployment patch. However, I found the new reg and squared myself away (no shame in making a mistake and admitting it) and told the Soldier he's allowed.
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Honestly, who really cares. I know when I went over before oif became ond, the higher ups said as soon as you touched foot in country. The reason being was solidarity and if the soldier got hurt and had to evacuate. Honestly, I only cared about my combat patch when a higher up try to tell me which one I could and couldn’t wear. I refused to be sandwiched outside of a ceremony
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You are actually incorrrect SSG. The regulation states the Operation must have lasted for at least 30 days, unless the Operation were to become hostile. (Combat happened within 30 days). The regulation actually says “there are no time in theatre requirements for the SSI-FWTS.”
Reference:
AR 670-1 Chapter 19 Para 17 Subpara (c) and (d-4)
Reference:
AR 670-1 Chapter 19 Para 17 Subpara (c) and (d-4)
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
This has been noted. You should really read the entire thread before commenting. I posted an updated to reflect the change and admitted my mistake. All is good in the world now.
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Well actually he can wear it but he has to be authorized to wear it. You don’t have to be in country for 30 days just in a combat zone. I just came from Kuwait and they sent soldiers to Jordan and Iraq for a 1-3 days just to get a patch and it was authorized on a memo so if he can’t show proof he is authorized to wear it then he is out of uniform. Almost like wear a NCO rank and you still a specialist
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Did not earn, as in not deployed? Tell that Soldier to take it off. Earn as in, Soldier was deployed but did not go out the wire or get into a fire-fight, what does it matter? Soldier's orders said deployment.
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PS Orders to Kuwait were in support of OIF, OEF, OND, CJTFOIR, OFS, etc so even THOSE suckers in Kuwait are entitled to wear a FWS right shoulder patch
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MAJ (Join to see)
Well thanks for updating this Pre-9/11 old Soldier. My deployments were all pre-2014. Been stuck in Joint and Echelons-above-reality since then.
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Funny, when I was there in 2014 there was a policy memo from USCENTCOM on the bulletin board stating that if you had BOG (boots on ground) ONE DAY, you EARNED your combat patch.
Might want to check your regs, SSG so quick to diss your troops
Might want to check your regs, SSG so quick to diss your troops
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
I didn't diss the troop in any way, sir. You misread my question and back story if you are going to assume so. I also spoke to him on the side to discuss whether he was authorized or not. Also another reason I asked the question here for advice and info. Others have clarified that the reg has been updated to now say there is no requirement for the 30 days. I treat my Soldiers with respect, sir.
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Ok, here is the thing. Was the soldier assigned, attached, deployed with or to a unit that was under written orders to the combat zone? IE a detachment NOT in the actual combat zone? If he was then he is authorized to wear the combat patch but it must be of the unit he or she was assigned/attached to that was in the combat zone. Regulation dated May 2017 states there is no minimum time frame that the soldier must be in the combat zone but rather that the operation must have been ongoing for 30 days unless there are special conditions.
Simply traveling TO the combat zone does not cut it and he or she is not authorized to wear a combat patch.
You handle the situation by first questioning the wear of the patch in the first place by the first place. You then make an inquiry of his personnel records with his section to ascertain whether such an award is indicated. If no such award is indicated, then you on the spot correct the SM and advise they are not authorized to wear such and to remove it. Failure to do so can lead to UCMJ action.
Simply traveling TO the combat zone does not cut it and he or she is not authorized to wear a combat patch.
You handle the situation by first questioning the wear of the patch in the first place by the first place. You then make an inquiry of his personnel records with his section to ascertain whether such an award is indicated. If no such award is indicated, then you on the spot correct the SM and advise they are not authorized to wear such and to remove it. Failure to do so can lead to UCMJ action.
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