Should the Army do away with Patches and go to one universal Symbol like the Marines EGA?

Why not keep it simple, STOP SCREWING with the Army!!!!!! How about, getting better equipment or updating

It is about unit pride. I understand the remark about the Marines, if that rocks your boat then join the Marines. We have specialized Divisions, Infantry, Artillery, Airborne, Air Assualt, Mountain Division, Aviation and Special Operations and others. Together we are the US Army full of heritage and pride, yesterday, today and tomorrow and are identified by our unit patch. Would you advocate doing away with awards and decorations as well since most civilians don't recognize or understand those changes as well.

How about we act like the army and not the f&*King marines.... But I'm sure if we just went to one we could all wear it, and no pussy ass pvt. would bitch about feeling left out....... F&*K that.... keep the tradition

You're serious, right? While both services have individuals and units which perform specific missions, it is the Army with our "teams of teams" which need the additional ID to distinguish which "team of teams" one belongs to or supports. When civilians ask "what do you do" in the Army, use that opportunity to share the things you do in your branch, within your unit, within the command you belong to. You don't have to go into detail -- what they are REALLY asking is "do you fight like the Marines or are you on the sidelines cleaning up after them?" My answer for 30 years is "well, the Marines have their place and their methods and their tactics. I know lots of Marines and respect the Corps. But I belong to America's Army -- and in particular, I belong to the (insert unit I belong to). We train. We fight. We win...and we have to time to go back to Momma or our hometowns and have a drink or two after its all done. "

That should be YOUR ANSWER too. No amount of marketing or advertising beats the words of a Soldier.

the marines are the marines. period. don't confuse the two. The Army has been doing it a bit longer...not by much, but still. It's tradition for the Army, don't change it. That is all.

I really get tired of the constant comparison between the Army and the Marines. It is an apples and oranges comparison. If you want to improve the marketing war then market the Army's badass history. We have incredible stories to tell just like the Marines.

Who cares what the civilians ask?? That unit patch brings pride to the individual and to the community in which it is worn. Don't take away traditions.

I say keep our unit patches. Besides I love the cute little names soldiers give their patch!

Absolutely not. It's entirely to late for that. Let the Army be the Army and the Marines be the Marines. Patches don't bother me. There's history and honor there.

First off (for civilians), I think the issue is the branch name patch that is displayed on uniforms ("US Marines" or "US Army"). I doubt civilians are concerned with Army patches unless there's an "Airborne", "Ranger" or "Special Forces" tab above it. Second, there are preconceived notions when it comes to US Marines vs US Army and I don't believe a patch has anything to do with it - I think the patch issue differences are being over thought. Regardless, somewhere along the line the Marines developed a reputation for being the "toughest" branch of the service, likely due to presidents sending in Marines first when we have "a problem." This is due to their deployability advantages over the Army as they are colocated on ships with the Navy throughout the world, which gives them a "first responder" status, not that they are any tougher than Army infantry or special ops elements. Bottom line: We can get Marines there faster and cheaper than most Army units so the Marines get the press and the name recognition, not to mention the label "the first ones in", which of course leads to the impression that they must be the toughest. You want to change the Army's image? Start sending them in first. Let the barrage begin.