Posted on May 7, 2016
Should the Army do away with Patches and go to one universal Symbol like the Marines EGA?
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As a Recruiter I have had insight on the Army Branding, and marketing Team for USAREC. We are getting beat by the Marines when it comes to image. The patches make civilians ask what do you do in the Army, on the flip side when a civilian sees a Marine no questions needed to be asked, whats your thoughts
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Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 530
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No, the patches are a part of our culture at this point. I think I remember voting to have the color patch sewn on the ASU jacket when the poll was open. I like the idea of having patches so much, I joined a unit that has two (USACAPOC/352nd CACOM)!
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Don't broke what has been working. It make it easier to find others that I serviced with and like experience.
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When it comes to branding... Army has its own mojo and set of problems beyond unit patches. It seems that we continue to change uniforms, slogans and strategic message every quadrennial report. From "Be all you can be" to "Army Strong" we need consistency and less fluf and more substance. Marines have been consistent on this piece.
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Between the emblems on Army covers, the tabs, unit parches, and other items on Army uniforms, it is difficult to figure out what it all means for non-soldiers. Army uniforms seem a bit "cluttered" compared to not only the Marines but also sailors and airmen.
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SFC Terry Murphy
It may seem that way to you, but ask a soldier what the patches on any other soldiers uniform means, and they will be able to tell you. While they may not know each individual unit patch, they will know what the tabs, unit patches and emblems represent.
I always thought the Air Force uniform was to cluttered, they have patches everywhere!
I always thought the Air Force uniform was to cluttered, they have patches everywhere!
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Cpl John Mathews
When I was on active duty our cammies didn't have name tapes or branch tapes. We ironed on an eagle globe and anchor and the letters USMC on the left pocket. I had a number of people ask me if I was a medic as they thought the USMC stood for US Medical Corps. The problem with recognition doesn't come from within, just from the outsider. I always liked the subdued insignia on Army BDUs though.
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Archer honors the US Army. Bonus material from Season Two.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t25Gb74rgq8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t25Gb74rgq8
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I have a couple of thoughts on this. As a Recruiting Operations Officer for an ROTC program, I have seen much of the same regarding marketing. What was interesting is they failed with the Army Strong motto as Americans identified strong with Marines. Now, we will not see or hear that anymore on Army marketing. Marines have always been smaller and are able to identify as Marines. In the Army, the identity has always been with the unit. Whether it was a regiment or division, that is what people belong to. So I don't think that getting rid of SSI will change anything but would ruin some of the traditions. Secondly, I have more heartburn with the National Guard doing their own thing. Each state/territory does their own marketing/recruiting and sometimes I think this happens at the expense of the active Army.
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First of all, in the image there are 4 SSIs that are incomplete. Next, take a good look at how the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps markets themselves through current movies and other relevant marketing. Next take a look at Army Advertising from the 70s and compare it to the efforts of the other services today, and then create a new updated version of some of those. One thing be consistent.
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So the idea is to change our uniform to make civilians more comfortable? Seriously?
"Every Marine a Rifleman" is as a big a joke. I have met Marines who could not hit the broadside of a barn with their rifle. And whenever I encounter a Marine, I do ask what they did. If it doesn't start with "03" I know they are a POG.
"Every Marine a Rifleman" is as a big a joke. I have met Marines who could not hit the broadside of a barn with their rifle. And whenever I encounter a Marine, I do ask what they did. If it doesn't start with "03" I know they are a POG.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SPC Casey Ashfield - incorrect. It's Doctrine. Huge difference.
Every Marine is a Rifleman means that we are each capable of acting as a baseline Rifleman (the T/O billet) which exists in as the foundation of a Fire Team.
It is NOT about individual weapon proficiency, however, that is a component skill which ALL Marines are Doctrinely required to possess and recertify annually.
You are speaking from a positon of ignorance and should bow out.
Cc Capt Walter Miller Sgt (Join to see) Capt Richard I P.
Every Marine is a Rifleman means that we are each capable of acting as a baseline Rifleman (the T/O billet) which exists in as the foundation of a Fire Team.
It is NOT about individual weapon proficiency, however, that is a component skill which ALL Marines are Doctrinely required to possess and recertify annually.
You are speaking from a positon of ignorance and should bow out.
Cc Capt Walter Miller Sgt (Join to see) Capt Richard I P.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - And it is Army Doctrine for every soldier to be qualified with a rifle. We don't make the claim that a water purification specialist is equally as skilled in a fire team as an infantryman.
My position is not one of ignorance. I have trained with, trained, trained under, and taught by former Marines.
My position is not one of ignorance. I have trained with, trained, trained under, and taught by former Marines.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SPC Casey Ashfield - Qualified with a rifle is a skill. Rifleman is a skillset. They are two different things which you do not seem to comprehend. And I assure you that Capt Walter Miller Sgt (Join to see) and myself and "trained with, under, and trained" far more Marines than yourself. You are posting from a position of ignorance.
All three of us have worn "crossed rifles" denoting that we are fully capable riflemen (the Capt has a GCM denoting enlisted time, but has also completed TBS and OIC).
Are all of us as capable as someone who does it every day? No. But neither will a reservist or Guardsman. But we can do it. We are Doctrinely required to be able to do it. That's why MCT exists. That's why we reinforce squad and platoon tactics at Cpl/Sgt/SSgt/Advanced courses.
You don't get it and I don't think you ever will.
All three of us have worn "crossed rifles" denoting that we are fully capable riflemen (the Capt has a GCM denoting enlisted time, but has also completed TBS and OIC).
Are all of us as capable as someone who does it every day? No. But neither will a reservist or Guardsman. But we can do it. We are Doctrinely required to be able to do it. That's why MCT exists. That's why we reinforce squad and platoon tactics at Cpl/Sgt/SSgt/Advanced courses.
You don't get it and I don't think you ever will.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
I comprehend the difference just fine. Marine or Army, everyone is qualified with a rifle. The Marines I have worked with, 03 or not, are similar to the Army: It is apparent who takes their marksmanship seriously, and who doesn't in both branches. Some units I served with did not allow anyone under the rank of Sharpshooter to be in the unit. After a couple tries you were moved to a non line unit. This was our own "Rifleman" concept in those units.
I am not saying, nor pretend to say I have trained with every Marine in the world. I have worked with Marines from a sample of MOS. And I am glad some of them were proficient in something other than their rifle.
My point, working back to the original topic. "Everyone knows what a Marine does." That is not the case. There are Marines who spend more time behind a desk than on combat skills. Same in the Army as well as every branch. Doing away with combat patches takes away unit pride in an effort to make us all seem the same. We are not. I have far more combat experience and training than someone who did not train under an infantry MOS. And my unit patches should reflect that.
I am not saying, nor pretend to say I have trained with every Marine in the world. I have worked with Marines from a sample of MOS. And I am glad some of them were proficient in something other than their rifle.
My point, working back to the original topic. "Everyone knows what a Marine does." That is not the case. There are Marines who spend more time behind a desk than on combat skills. Same in the Army as well as every branch. Doing away with combat patches takes away unit pride in an effort to make us all seem the same. We are not. I have far more combat experience and training than someone who did not train under an infantry MOS. And my unit patches should reflect that.
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