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.
Posted in these groups: 
Deployment
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Deployment Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 63
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In my case I was with USCENTOM assigned to the 25ID in Afghanistan for 90 days. Al I authorized to wear the 25ID combat patch?
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No matter where we were in Nam it was a war zone and the Barber cut our hair in the day an our throats at night. Even today there is muslims killing our soldiers like the Major that killed all those unarmed returning from Iraq and he is still alive. Not up to date as to badges and the right to or not but if your in country and die I don't think a badge makes a difference.
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AS far as I know there is no such thing as a deployment patch. First any assignment outside the States is a deployment. It may be NATO in Belgium or a combat zone declared by the powers that be. it may be Afghanistan in 2000 South America someplace and you are deployed. The patch worn on left sleeveis commonly called a combat patch. It is earned by the deployment being in a designated part of the world at a designated time.Rules have changed from time to time as how long you have to stay to get certain benefits. It signifies that the unit you were assigned to in that zone. You do not get a patch for a deployment. you get the patch for where and when you were deployed.
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