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

"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.

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.

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.

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.

Good Job on researching and finding out that you made a mistake, and then admitting. That's a sign of a great leader!!!

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.

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

What MSG Danny Mathers said....yea that is pretty much on point.

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

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?

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.