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 9 y ago
Responses: 530
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My thoughts, as a former recruiter for 5 years, is that you keep the patches. If it insights more questions then that should be good in building the report of applicants and there respective family. Patches or the lack there of like Marines, is not what brings the market down and cause the Army to "lose" applicants to the Marines or any other branch for that matter. If we want to be more accurate with respect to why we fail in our markets, then asked the permanent (79R) recruiters why they refuse to go out with their detailed recruiters and show them what made them successful or made them decide to become a permanent recruiter. Instead, the moment they are reclassed to 79R they are put into a leadership position and taken "out of the fight." Which was always and still is, in my opinion, the first fail in recruiting. If a Soldier wants to become a permanent recruiter, then after then reclass and are awarded that MOS, they should then still remain a recruiter for at least another year before being inserted into a leadership role. One, that's keeps this recruiter in the fight and helping the centers out and two, prevents a loss of a recruiter just because they reclassed to 79R. That's just a start on many areas of recruiting that should be fixed before worrying about patches. And before anything is changed from higher, higher should talk directly to those recruiters working hard each day and ask them, what can we do better or change to make Recruting more effiecient and help us make our monthly, quarterly, and yearly missions??
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No, Patches, crests, units etc are part of our history and our lineage. I do think we should tone it down on badges in field uniforms and save them for our dress uniforms, but the patches should stay.
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LTC (Join to see)
COL Charles Williams Sir, I would submit badges are part of our history, too. While there are many soldiers who lack the opportunity and/or motivation to attend badge producing schools, I am surprised when I hear sentiments like these. For the reserve forces, the opportunity to wear our dress uniforms are few and very far between. Many don't even own a dress uniform (despite the regulation). I submit to you, Sir, that the pride in those badges may far exceed the esprit of a unit patch.
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Hmmm.... 1st Team.... You ain't Cav, you ain't shit.... I can save my own life... Simply let's keep the patch with the head horse facing forward on both sides.... OIF II 04-05... Proud of my first combat patch.... HOOOOAAAAH!!!!!
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The Army does have a "universal" symbol. It's the US worn on the opposite lapel from the branch insignia and the cap emblem worn on the service (dress blues now) cap & DS campaign hats. Put a small one on the (damned) beret instead of rank or unit crest and there you have it.
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as an Infantry soldier, Army, I can tell you that I was proud of every patch I had, especially those that were earned, the marines care about the things they do, but they can not show the things they achieve, the Army do. If you go to Airborne School you want that recognition, as well as Ranger Special Forces, Air Assault, Commando, Sears, Jungle Survival, EIB, CIB, Drill Sergeant, you might not like it but 95% of others do, the civilians will love to see that on you as well, and if ask, tell them with pride all you have done. I do.
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1SG Jack Crutcher
The only person that would support doing away with the patches are probably a underachiever, patchless and clueless.
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Different services different mentality. You are a Marine first, rifleman first. In Army it is more complicated and cand end up being a 101 brigade (pick your choice) first then MOS, etc. then again the Army is also very big compared to the Marines with a different mission. Why change to have same uniform for all services? What happened to traditions? We need to stop erasing our history and be proud of our past and continue the good traditions.
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I'm not in the Army but I know these patches are a source of unit pride and esprit de corps. By removing them, it will not only remove decades of history but unit morale as well. Keep 'em on!
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Capt Walter Miller
"Far from being useless or meaningless, unit patches still continue to be a great source of unit pride and camaraderie."
Of the guys who are in them now; until the Army tosses -that- history down the dust bin of History.
The most odd thing surely of the Army 'heritage' (such as it is) is the adoption of the cavalry hats of the frontier wars. Besides those guys being the oppressors of the native american peoples, the most famous engagement of that era had the Native Americans wiping out 5 companies of the 7th Cavalry while two nearby senior officers of the regiment conspired to not aid their commander.
Walt
Of the guys who are in them now; until the Army tosses -that- history down the dust bin of History.
The most odd thing surely of the Army 'heritage' (such as it is) is the adoption of the cavalry hats of the frontier wars. Besides those guys being the oppressors of the native american peoples, the most famous engagement of that era had the Native Americans wiping out 5 companies of the 7th Cavalry while two nearby senior officers of the regiment conspired to not aid their commander.
Walt
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Patches are divisive. It focuses you on a unit, not the whole. A big part of the Marine Corps mystique is:
"My Corps!
Your Corps!
Our Corps!
Marine Corps!"
Walt
"My Corps!
Your Corps!
Our Corps!
Marine Corps!"
Walt
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SFC J Fullerton
I get a kick out of reading your posts. I am trying to figure out if you are just an internet troll, have had a TBI, or just plain nuts.
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