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

Well we have a variety of jobs to do in the Army, this is true. But the division patch shows where we belong. I read some of the other comments and it is true. I see someone else with a Big Red One on their sleeve, I know where they have been. I've been there myself. It is a source of pride for some, I know my combat patch is for me. For Recruits, it should be seen as a marketing tool. Think about The Patch on my Shoulder Jody call? What do you want to do in the service - Airborne - well 82nd Airborne is a patch for you. Repelling out of Helicopters well Screaming Eagle is yours. Knowing what the patch represents could help sell the service. I don't think they should get rid of the patch.

Army has much more than Marines. Army patches are distinct.

As a former Marine and now Army, I have to say that it took me a little while to get used to the patches and stuff. I love the Marine Corps, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine", even though now I wear an Army uniform. Focus more on shooting and drill like the Marines and there will that many more ways to impress civilians

Patches are readable by those in the military. It tells me where you're coming from and where you are now. We don't expect civilians to wear a costume that identifies their workplace. It's history!

Keep Them! And I contend we need to go one further. The Left sleeve shows "who you belong to". EVERY soldier belongs to someone. Therefore every soldier needs something on their left sleeve. No exceptions. If an soldier is assigned to someplace that does not have their own patch, such as the Navy School of Music, there is still someone in the Army chain of command that owns them.

So, basically, what you're saying is, civilians have forgotten how to ask questions? Unit pride should go a long way, but, obviously, you have forgotten to research what these patches are, and lineage of the units these patches represent? It wasn't just the Marines at Belleau Wood, 2nd ID was there as well, considering it was the only Army unit with a Marine in command. Or, how about the history behind 3rd ID, "Rock of the Marne?" The lineage of the 101st, or 82nd? You're in USAREC, you're the first line recruits see of the Army, and you can't even represent. You want to know the difference between the Army and the Marines? The Marines celebrate their history, the Army, in this day and age, seems to intentionally try and forget its history. Show some pride troop, learn the history of these units. I know the history of the units I served in, and proudly talk about my time with 2ID, the 101st, 17th AVN, etc...

I was in the USMC and the Army. Patches and unit insignia are for the benefit of those that served in those units, not for civilians. They do not understand and we can't explain it to them nor is it necessary to even try!

Was just a lowly O-3 JAGC, most of that as a USAR doing TDYs. But I was trained by those wearing the Big Red One and Ranger tabs, and worked with 7th SF Group and the 82d. Still in awe of all of them. NEVER discard the patches.

As a civilian, I don't think it's a good idea to remove individual unit identity. It's a symbol of your history and that you are a member of a long and storied organization. The are sometimes generations that have served in the same units. Even in my career, we have special units that require specialized training and or carry a certain level of esprit d'corps. It is not a participation award but a sign of achievement.

This might be the second gayest thing I've said, but I was on Pintrest (that being the gay part) and I made a comment which turned into an argument with a civilian. Someone posted the video of the two Army Soldiers being harassed at what appears to be Wal-Mart. Calling them killers and such. In the video it shows this E-6 defending himself, but what struck my attention even more so was the sunglasses on the back of the SSG's head. Btw, he had a recruiter badge on as well. So because I pointed that out as troubling to me and that the SSG was a professional and shouldn't let that bother him and just walked away instead of defending the military. I was jumped by about 10 different civilians telling me that the glasses wasn't a big deal and went on to discredit me and my post calling me unpatriotic.

My point that ties this into this article is, who cares what civilians think. We know, and shouldn't change our standards to appeal to the public. There are many things civilians will never understand about the military. I don't expect any of the 10 civilians to understand why we don't allow the sunglasses to be worn on the back of the head and why it's such a big deal to me. As I don't care about marketing the Army either. Either you want to serve or you don't, when you decide you will pick what branch is right for you.