Posted on Apr 16, 2019
SFC(P) Senior Drill Sergeant
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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.
Edited 6 y ago
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MSG Danny Mathers
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Edited 6 y ago
"On the spot correction," remove it. Doesn't remove it, recommend action to the chain of command as refusal of a lawful order. Back in my day, I'd rip it off & tell him to see the First Sergeant to complain.
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SSG Squad Leader
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6 y
CSM,
While his reg does indeed to be out of date, the same text has been moved to para 19-17(4). By the looks in the picture he's still using the 2014 version.
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CSM Richard StCyr
CSM Richard StCyr
6 y
SSG (Join to see) - Thanks, I appreciate it. Totally missed the sentence.
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SGM Jeff Mccloud
SGM Jeff Mccloud
6 y
to clarify:
"(16) Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR): between 15 June 2014 and a date to be determined, for Soldiers deployed to Iraq, Jordan, or Syria in support of OIR, who received combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/IDP as identified by CENTCOM 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 OIR are not authorized the SSI–FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OIR."
To get an SSI for Iraq as outlined in this excerpt of AR 670-1, the Soldier must have a TCS order or amendment to Iraq.
One day in country with that order would qualify, a six day trip in and out without that order would not qualify.
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SSG Trevor S.
SSG Trevor S.
6 y
SSG (Join to see) thank you! I didn’t check for newer versions after retiring. Good to know where it moved to.
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MAJ Attorney Advisor
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There was a policy memo from one of the commands granting wear of the SSI-FWTS for I thought was 1 day in Iraq. This was 2017. I think it came from TF Spartan or one of the other Commands they likely fell under in Kuwait. I might just double check that. Not sure about the "being entitled" part however - he should have received some sort of memo authorizing the wear. Hope this helps.
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1LT Rich Voss
1LT Rich Voss
6 y
PO2 Lewis Brockman - Good Lord man ! Nine ??? One of my close buddies here (also a multi-tour Viet Nam vet) is on #8, and swears she the last. As does she !!! I happen to be on 4 slash 5. Too long and personal a story for here. She does call herself "the LAST Mrs. Voss"...that's all one needs to know !
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PO2 Lewis Brockman
PO2 Lewis Brockman
6 y
LOL my friends here told me that I just loved misery.
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CPT William Jones
CPT William Jones
6 y
I would think one would have to be on some sort of official business with some sort of orders. One day in and out sounds like aircrew or couriering mission. Then you would be on a manifest of some sort.
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LCpl Glenn Kellar
LCpl Glenn Kellar
6 y
He hasn't the honor of serving, but the right to display
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MAJ Operations Research/Systems Analysis (Orsa)
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Have some insight on this. In 2014, my unit deployed to Spartan Shield, and just before we went ISIL took Mosul and I served on the BCT staff. Because there was a really strict BOG restriction, we sent two of our combat battalions forward to Iraq, but had to kind of "rotate" individuals in and out. There was a lot of discussion on this topic because many people did not stay in Iraq for 30 days at a time, just long enough to do what they do and leave. Bottom line, after IG complaints, JAG involved, etc., this is what we were told. AR 670-1 21-17, (e) 3) does say "The military operation must have lasted for a period of 30 days or longer." This is what they call the "named operation" requirement. This does not mean a Soldier needs to be there for 30 days, just that the Soldier there is a part of an operation (Operation Inherent Resolve, New Dawn, etc) that has existed for longer than 30 days. The kicker here is AR 670-1 21-17, (e) 7) "Soldiers of all Army components who deploy during periods of service designated for wear of the SSI-FWTS are authorized to wear the SSI-FWTS. THERE ARE NO TIME IN THEATER REQUIREMENTS." (I put that in all caps because that is the relevant part of this portion.) Now this is all from notes I took from those discussions back then. This is how interesting it got. I don't know if your JAGs or IGs all concur on this (the ARCENT group definitely did). So if you decide to call out this Soldier for this, all that was really required was a memo stating the Soldier traveled to the zone for x amount of time. I have that memo in my file, but I don't wear that particular patch because I have one from a previous deployment to Afghanistan and I had some "questions" myself about all of this. The brigade commander actually went so far as to fly individuals into Iraq for a day and then fly them out just so they could get a patch. When the Army scaled down what could go in your file a few years back, the memo disappeared. So like I said, for me personally I'm not so worried. But if you do decide to correct this Soldier, just be aware of all of this and that if he has such a memo, he may be authorized wear of that insignia and he may be able to have JAG back him up.
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MAJ Operations Research/Systems Analysis (Orsa)
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I have seen it before. When I was in Afghanistan, a nearby commander got ordered to make room to house a random LTC in one of his CHUs. The LTC was deploying there as “special advisor to the mayor cell.” We rarely saw him leave or go anywhere except chow. 60 days later he was gone. I find out from my commander that he was a LTC coming up on his look for Colonel, but he had never deployed. His boss was trying to take care of him by sending him to Afghanistan for a few months.SFC(P) (Join to see)
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SGT Combat Engineer
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This is correct the Soldier does not need to be in the country, its "boots on ground" as long as the mission is 30 days or more.
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1LT Human Resources Officer
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SFC(P) (Join to see) - I don't see how his first line confirmed his unit wasn't authorized. I think it is ridiculous too but unfortunately the floodgates were blown off of this thing years ago. There are tons of people walking around with patches that you give them a benefit of a doubt until you ask questions. The combat patch has morphed into a sign of validity. The very proof is the shenanigans that are pulled for people to get them.
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SGT Jim Wiseman
SGT Jim Wiseman
5 y
I was in a similar position with my CIB. Like a lot of guys, I got sent out from my job in the TOC to "earn" mine. The patrol took fire while we were in the vehicle. Nothing serious, but I was being taken care of by BN leadership so I wouldn't be the only Infantry guy without once deployment was over just because I had been assigned to be a TOC monkey in Afghanistan. This was fairly early in the deployment, within six months. I later got placed in PSD to replace the SAW gunner who wasn't carrying his weight. A turkey trot that ended with us being hit with an RPG on our way back to the FOB. While the incident for which I was awarded my CIB was appreciated, the incident where I was wounded and also awarded a Purple Heart for... well, I damn sure earned it there, as well as my combat patch, for sure.
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(READ UPDATE!!!) How do you handle a situation where a Soldier is wearing a deployment patch they did not earn? What are the repercussions?
CSM Richard StCyr
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Edited 6 y ago
According to AR 670-1 para 19-17 a. sub (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.

Your buddy may be entitled to the SSI-FWTS if a flag officer has submitted a written request to the Chief of Staff of the Army. Unless the Soldier was involved in actual combat during the 6 days or otherwise qualified for a CAB, CIB, or CMB or performed a heroic act, I don't see a GO taking the time to write them an individual letter.

I'd make a polite on the spot correction based on the regulation and paragraph above, ask them to remove the patch or provide some evidence that matches or supports the regulation. Then if they refused, turn it over to the 1SG as evidently the PSG is allowing the troop to roam around with the patch.


Break----- Break---1555 04/ 16/ 19 ; Thanks to SGT's Trevor and Graham Smith there is a sentence in both the 2014 and 2017 AR670-1 that clearly dispels the 30 day or nothing on the SSI-FWTS. After re- reading the entire paragraph 19-17 in the 2017 version , see (4) second sentence....

(4) 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.

Bottom line.. the troop is actually authorized the patch weather he had one day or 364, boots on the ground. I totally missed the sentence when I read the reg earlier.
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SFC(P) Senior Drill Sergeant
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Good advice. Said Soldier just went on ground to fix computers on a fob and went back to Kuwait. Definitely no combat or other exceptions.
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CSM Richard StCyr
CSM Richard StCyr
6 y
SFC(P) (Join to see) - Break----- Break---1555 04/ 16/ 19 ; Thanks to SGT's Trevor and Graham Smith there is a sentence in both the 2014 and 2017 AR670-1 that clearly dispels the 30 day or nothing on the SSI-FWTS. After re- reading the entire paragraph 19-17 in the 2017 version , see (4) second sentence....

(4) 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.

Bottom line.. the troop is actually authorized the patch weather he had one day or 364, boots on the ground. I totally missed the sentence when I read the reg earlier.
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SSG Steven Davis
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Good Job on researching and finding out that you made a mistake, and then admitting. That's a sign of a great leader!!!
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SFC(P) Senior Drill Sergeant
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I appreciate it brother!
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SFC(P) Senior Drill Sergeant
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UPDATE: I just learned from several people AR 670-1 has been updated to reflect that the amount of days BOG does matter anymore. The Soldier can wear his deployment patch and I will 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.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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Edited 6 y ago
SFC(P) (Join to see) it says the operation must last longer than 30 days, meaning the Operation like Inherent Resolve. AR670-1 May 2017 para 19-17.

"(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 hostile 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."

AR670-1 Para 19-17 goes on to say:

"(4) 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."

Pages 38 and 39 CSM Richard StCyr
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CSM Richard StCyr
CSM Richard StCyr
6 y
Sir, totally missed the sentence when I read the reg initially.
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SFC(P) Senior Drill Sergeant
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Thank you for the clarification, sir.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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What MSG Danny Mathers said....yea that is pretty much on point.
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LCpl Cody Collins
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Sometimes I think the army is so big that the left hand does not know what the right hand is Doing. So you have this confusion over regulations
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LCpl Cody Collins
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Yep ! Situations and regulations change about as fast as the ink used to print them. Since we are on subject, what about those serving on the flight deck of a Aircraft Carrier? Are we considered in country, even though we sit 400 miles off the coast of the actual theater? Or are the pilots the only ones that get a medal or ribbon for being in actual combat?
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