Posted on Dec 6, 2013
Should the USAF and USMC return to the use of Shoulder Patches?
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Shoulder Patches - Unit Cohesion and Pride
Marines
Uniforms
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 23
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If there's one branch that doesn't need advice on unit cohesion and pride, it's the Marines.. If anything, we need to be following their lead. They're clearly doing something right...
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LTC Paul Labrador
Of course, I miss the full color patches that we used to wear on our old green Class A's. Wish we would wear full color patches while in garrison and subdued in the field.
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Capt Richard I P.
LTC Paul Labrador,Sir, from the line: "If Marines don't think unit lineage is as important than simply being a Marine, that is their call." I would respectfully submit that the average Marine can tell you more about the history of his unit than the average soldier. We just don't wear it on our sleeves. I do think it is fair to say the average Marine is more connected to the Corps than to any one units' individual history.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Capt Richard I P., I would argue that would depend on the unit you were talking about. Soldiers assigned to the more "storied" units (particularly combat arms) with lots of history are very much in tune with history and lineage. I would agree not so much in support units. Again, I chalk it up to cultural differences. When you see a former Marine's stickers on his care, you typically see an EGA, and that's about it. You see a Soldier's stickers, you'll likely see a skill badges or branch insignia and the unit he was most proud of serving with.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
Now we just have to get them to just be proud of being Soldiers... One shouldn't have to be in a "sexy" unit to be proud. That's where the Army fails, being a Soldier is what should matter...
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As for the USMC, I think it would be a bad idea. From day one, a Marine is told they belong to the MARINES, not a unit. Having notations of what unit you are with, would probably not work well, because it would push Marines to feel they belonged to a unit, when the training is all about being part of the whole, and being taught that no matter what you do as an MOS, you know you are first, last and always, a rifleman. The "Bird, Ball, and Hook" is our unit patch you might say, nothing else is needed.
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I actually dislike patches. Part of what makes the Marine Corps uniform so sexy is its elegant simplicity. The Army has patches, cords, badges, two sets of ribbons, a nametag, etc. It looks overly cluttered, which detracts from the overall appearance.
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No thanks, one of the advantages of not having patches is not letting anyone know which unit your with so when you do something stupid you get at least a chance of getting away with it.
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Cpl Ray Fernandez
SSG, knowing the Marine Corps there would likely be a uniform inspection right after checking into a new unit to make sure that patches were squared away.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
You would never get off the Quarterdeck of my ship with the wrong Ship's rocker on your uniform. If you did, the Officer of the Deck (OOD) would have a lot of 'splaining to do Lucy.
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All I will say is that I did get a bit jealous of my Army brethren who were attached to us in Iraq when they were able to wear the "Blue Diamond" First Marine Division patch as their combat patch on their uniforms.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
Years ago I had a MC COL, who had been a Jarhead Arty Officer and wore the Guadalcanal 1st Div patch on his right shoulder. Sailing back he said he realized there had to more to life than this and went med school and joined the Army. He got his in Lebanon when Ike sent them there, he said they got shot at a lot, but did not shoot back very often.
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This is a much better question than asking if the Army should get rid of them.
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SSG Matt Murphy
Nope, not on dress uniforms. Not for a very long time. They do have unit patches on fatigues, but not for formal uniforms.
Here is also a photo of me (top left pic) wearing the FEAF subdued patch (UA) on my fatigues while in the 11sth SF Group, much to the amusement of my fellow troopers. Should actually have worn the 7th AF patch...but I liked the Far East Air Force patch more....totally UA.
Here is a photo of the type of patch on fatigues: USAFSS
...and if you are wondering, yes, we made that gun disappear with 64 lbs of TNT and C4.
Here is also a photo of me (top left pic) wearing the FEAF subdued patch (UA) on my fatigues while in the 11sth SF Group, much to the amusement of my fellow troopers. Should actually have worn the 7th AF patch...but I liked the Far East Air Force patch more....totally UA.
Here is a photo of the type of patch on fatigues: USAFSS
...and if you are wondering, yes, we made that gun disappear with 64 lbs of TNT and C4.
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CMSgt James Nolan
SSgt Murphy, the AF no longer has any patches on the "fatigues" now referred to as ABUs (a hated uniform). With luck, very soon we may go to a common "combat uniform". Common in that it would DOD wide, with service branch identified on the chest.
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I think it would a nice retro tribute to the old school troops who served back in the day.
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