(READ UPDATE!!!) How do you handle a situation where a Soldier is wearing a deployment patch they did not earn? What are the repercussions?

If you read the entire section 21-17 of AR 670-1 paragraph 7 states “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 authorization to wear the SSI-FWTS. Soldiers may not earn more than one SSI-FWTS during the same deployment.
(a) A deployed unit (company or higher) will wear its unit SSI as the SSI-FWTS, regardless of the headquarters element deploying and the unit alignment or OPCON during the period of deployment.
(b) A deployed unit will not wear its assigned SSI as its SSI-FWTS when the SSI belongs to A major command.

So, if they served in a unit even one day in support of a named operation they rate to wear the patch.

That soldier is entitled to a combat patch as dumb as it sounds. All you need to do is spend at least one day in country. The old school way would be wait 30 days and have a patching ceremony. However, the last 2 deployments after the first day you’re entitled to it.

Bottom line- IF he is authorized it there will be a paper trail on it. Either unit orders or a Memo signed by the appropriate CDR. He doesn't produce it- you drag his 4th POC to his 1SG/CO and ask for UMCJ action. Anybody in this role would normally keep a copy of this on/with them to stop getting in Trouble.

Aren't we supposed to have a memorandum made authorizing a patch? Can he provide this memorandum?

"Yes." Carry on.
"No" Please step into my office and close the door behind you....

That patch must come off....there is no discussion....this is easily resoled as stated in your message....that’s why we have REGULATIONS.

Well done! In my 28years in, I don't think any person that outranked me ever said he was wrong about something.

I know an O-6 that got kicked out of the Army for that. A 3-star corrected him and the O-6 got caught again by the same LTG. Well he got what he deserved.

This update is a great example of the often ignored principle - MAKE DAMN SURE YOU ARE 100% RIGHT BEFORE CORRECTING OTHERS.

One thing I notice is that there are far more NCOs here who will talk about the need to make on the spot corrections compared to the number of NCOs actually making those corrections in real life.

Among those who DO make "on the spot corrections" my experience of being "corrected" or having one of my soldiers "corrected" was that way too many people making on the spot corrections are just plain wrong and almost no one making an on-the-spot-correction is able to cite the regulation they think they are enforcing.

SFC(P) (Join to see)
That is not the regulation.
Regulation states:
(7) 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 authorization to wear the SSI-FWTS. Soldiers may not earn more than one SSI-FWTS during the same deployment.
Ref: AR 670-1 para 21-17e(7)

The operation has to last 30 days (with exceptions) but the time in theater has no minimum.
Having said that, I would give him plenty of razzing for wearing a combat patch for his tour of 6 days in Iraq. I wouldn't wear it for that.

Beside from the unit memo, each solider should receive a memo authorizing wear. I have my in my personal records binder at my house.

(side note) We had an active guy come from 3rd ID and had their patch due to a previous deployment. During that previous deployment he worked with SF alot and did have a memo authorizing the wear of the SF patch. He lost the memo and never wore the patch because he could no longer prove the wear. Major integrity check on his part.

As far as wearing it... Is there a memo authorizing wear of that patch in their file? No... take it off, I don't care if you actually HAVE earned it or not. Until you have that memo, you are NOT authorized to wear it, earned or not. He can go argue with the HR Specialists.

My ex had that issue, he was told he MUST wear that unit's combat patch after they went through the patching ceremony, that he wasn't allowed to wear the 3 other patches he had memos for. They didn't like it when he reminded them that the regulation stated that leadership could NOT direct him on wear of any authorized combat patch (he was willing to sandwich for the ceremony itself, but had no intention of sandwiching for the duration, he routinely rotated through his patches). They tried to tell him that he couldn't wear any of them, he pulled up memos specifically authorizing him to wear them... he now keeps copies of all his memos for combat patches and ribbons readily available (he got some ribbons that I don't think he is supposed to be authorized, but he DOES have orders for them, so he wears them, while I scratch my head).

Not my service, not my time... but I seem to recall that many things were resolved by a Chief doing a little "one-on-one". My personal opinion (if anyone cares) is that any insignia, award, or organizational clothing items should be clearly indicated by SOP, memorandum, or orders... and not subject to the ambiguities of the "Gouge". Beyond that, the whole "combat patch" thing kinda mystifies me anyway... but I know there's tradition at work there.

I would have him / her show me the regulation where wearing a combat patch after 6 days in country is authorized. If he / she can't show you the reg, the Soldier's own research tells him / her what is his / her course of action

I can tell you right now... fuck the 81BCT! Fuckers were useless, over shadowed everything and tried to push their bullshit on soldiers who hated their life. Combat patches by some gay as hell national guard unit when our direct command was AD and I never reported to a NG unit while in Iraq? Yup, AD unit took command of my NG unit and never wanted us to wear their gay ass patch. 1Cav rolled in ans didn't give a shit, my command on the other hand required to see both patches, which I never dis.

Something else to think about.

Sometimes a blanket order is issued. for instance:

Bravo Company, 1st of the 501 is entitled to wear the 82nd DIV patch as F-WTS, for service in Iraq form xx date to xx date.

This order implies you had to be in country, but does not specifically state it, and as such anyone in that company can wear that patch, if they served in that time frame. It is a bad order, but that shit happens.

Most soldiers would know that they were not entitled to the patch, if they were not in country, and would honor that. Some will do anything to look tough.

From AR 670-1:

a. General. Authorization to wear a SSI indicating FWTS applies only to Soldiers who are/were assigned to U.S. Army units that meet the following criteria in subparagraph (1) below:

(1) Required criteria—

(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.

(d) The Chief of Staff, Army must approve the authorization for wearing the SSI for FWTS.

Note: Units are not authorized to modify their SSI or SSI–FWTS without prior approval from the DCS, G-1. A mirror image SSI-FWTS is considered a modification. In addition, TIOH must approve the design of any modification and authorize its manufacturing in accordance with paragraph 2–3.

(2) Personnel who served in a designated area as a civilian or a member of another Service, but were not a member of the U.S. Army during one of the specified periods are not authorized to wear the SSI-FWTS.

(3) Unless otherwise approved by this regulation, Soldiers attached or under operational control (OPCON) to other services are not authorized to wear their patches as their SSI-FWTS without written approval from DCS, G-1 or a designated representative.

(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 authorization to wear the SSI-FWTS. Soldiers may not earn more than one SSI-FWTS during the same deployment.

Agree. He did not earn it and is NOT ENTITLED to a combat patch for only 6 days.

CPT Roberts

As a general rule, I was never a patch, ribbon, or badge collector.
I'm the sort who would have added the deployment patch after a superior prompted me to do so.
Just how I am, in particular.

Derogation of a symbol so as to allow appease anyone who "visits" or "provide minimum support" to the mission. This reminds me of "participation trophies" for being on a team. Sorry, that sux!!!

Being authorized to wear a combat patch doesn’t necessarily mean a soldier saw combat. When someone says “I’m a combat veteran “, I generally take it with a grain of salt, especially if they were someplace like Bagram AB where you’re more in danger of getting killed by a moving vehicle or tripping on a PT belt than by enemy fire.