Posted on Mar 1, 2016
Should we remove combat patches to be sensitive to those who don't have them?
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"(Unit Name withheld) BCT ordered to remove combat patches during training at Fort NoMatter so the ones without them don't get hurt feelings.
Reason? "The unit just returned from Afghanistan and almost everyone has a patch but the large influx of new soldiers are E1 and E2s that have never deployed and they are saying they are left out because they don't have a patch."
Reason? "The unit just returned from Afghanistan and almost everyone has a patch but the large influx of new soldiers are E1 and E2s that have never deployed and they are saying they are left out because they don't have a patch."
Awards
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 1628
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WTF? suck it up buttercup. They earned those patches. you want one? Go out and earn it.
Should tell them if they wanted to be issued feelings they should have joined the Air Force.
Should tell them if they wanted to be issued feelings they should have joined the Air Force.
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SGT Glenn E Moody
when I went to basic training in 1982 we got our uniforms our dress had the unit patch on it. the YD 26th infantry patch at that time they did split training basic 1st gome home to home unit with the patch on return for AIT to complete the training I was givien the choice I chose to go full basic & AIT durning the Ait part we had some service members come in to change the MOS to Infantry or be discharged they got to keep their rank & annything else thay earned peroid I got my 1st honerable discharge DD214 from FT Benning GA. so I ware the FOLLOW ME ARMY INFANTRY PATCH ON MY VETERAN UNIFORM & ONLY ONE GENERAL TOLD ME TO REMOVE IT BECAUSE IT WAS A SCHOOL PATCH NOT A COMBAT PATCH I WARE IT TO A LOT OF CHANGE OF COMMAND CEMEMONY'S AND NOONE EVER TOLD ME I COULD NOT WARE IT I still serve as SGT AT ARMS MA. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 26th (YANKEE) INFANTRY DIVISION VETERANS ASSOCIATION BOSTON MA. CHAPTER now the only things I had to not ware on my uniform is the U.S.ARMY nametape changed it to Y.D.V.A. yankee division veterans association Boston ( Y.D.V.A. BOSTON ) nametape on the curent ocp uniform at the meetings & change of command ceremony's with the places I served patches & rockers left sholder the YD GERMANY over the MASS. above the yd patch rite sholder the STARs & STRIPES REVERSE patch & THE FOLLOW ME INFANTRY SCHOOL PATCH the only one that said something about it said that shoulder is for A combat patch not A School patch so I removed it. it was at the SALEM MA. MUSTER ware the beginning of the AMCERCIAN MILITARY STARTED in 1635 the 4 REG. of the 13 COLONY's witch is now the NATIONAL GUARD. after the CEREMONY I GOT MY PHOTO WITH THE GOVERNOR OF MA. WITH OUR NATIONAL HISTORICAL COLORS THAT I BRING TO EVERY CEREMONY AS SGT OF ARMS.
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SMSgt Kevin Townsend
You're correct, they did issue us feelings. I gave mine to a USAF officer so that he had something to keep him warm while he was out letting the enemy shoot at him. Me, I stayed back at the base. Someone had to keep the nurses company.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
SFC Richard Baerlocher - The SS is always for valor. No V device. Might check and see if the soldier really has a SS.
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This can't be true.
If it is, the Brigade Commander or whatever schmuck came up with this needs to hang up their boots.
If it is, the Brigade Commander or whatever schmuck came up with this needs to hang up their boots.
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Sgt Richard E Lambert
Remove the patches? NO WAY! The guys who wear them should be looked up to by these new bees! AND LEARN from them so maybe they'll learn how to stay alive if the situation arises.
For the ones who were never in combat/war zone let me tell you a story. A LONG time ago we were at a party. Guys in the garage drinking beer and telling lies and the woman in the kitchen talking about what ever they talk about.
My wife comes out and says "dear , what do you call a person who goes into the service"? I say a veteran. She says no, no what do you call a person who goes into the service and never goes to war?
I said "LUCKY"!!
all the guys laughed and agreed.
My younger brother went to Germany for 2 years and I end up in Southeast Asia.
A good friend of mine ended up in Japan.
We're all veterans. Who is this idiot who came up with this anyway?
sad
For the ones who were never in combat/war zone let me tell you a story. A LONG time ago we were at a party. Guys in the garage drinking beer and telling lies and the woman in the kitchen talking about what ever they talk about.
My wife comes out and says "dear , what do you call a person who goes into the service"? I say a veteran. She says no, no what do you call a person who goes into the service and never goes to war?
I said "LUCKY"!!
all the guys laughed and agreed.
My younger brother went to Germany for 2 years and I end up in Southeast Asia.
A good friend of mine ended up in Japan.
We're all veterans. Who is this idiot who came up with this anyway?
sad
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SPC Lyle Montgomery
SSG Bill Kenny - I wear a ball cap with a CIB on it still after being out for over 50 years and if it offends anyone they can kiss my ass. Does this same moronic attitute apply to the high school jocks who wear every award on their jackets? Grow up you liberal sissies and get a life!
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SSG Ralph Watkins
Sounds like the generation where everybody gets an award whether they did something or not. Deployment is like going to the Olympics. Not everybody gets to go despite training for it. People who whine about not having a combat patch need to be issued a box of Kleenexes & shown the door. I entered service right after Vietnam. We just aspired to earn our own someday. Over 20 years later, I did.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SSG Ralph Watkins -
F I R S T - L I N E +": ~~Sounds like the generation where everybody gets an award whether they did something or not.
~~ That SSG Is What's Referred To As A "PARTICIPATION TROPHY"
About As Meaningful As Our "Good Conduct Metal" ~ Who Ya Kidding? (:--)>
F I R S T - L I N E +": ~~Sounds like the generation where everybody gets an award whether they did something or not.
~~ That SSG Is What's Referred To As A "PARTICIPATION TROPHY"
About As Meaningful As Our "Good Conduct Metal" ~ Who Ya Kidding? (:--)>
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You don't have a patch and your feelings are hurt? Here fill this out. And when you are done, see that Colonel sitting at his desk? Yea, the one without a patch either. Yea, you turn that into him.
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Sgt Douglas Berger
Just a few days ago, I was in line with a veteran wearing a hat that read "Vietnam Veteran." I asked where he served - and he answered Colorado Springs. I responded your hat has the ribbons awarded to those who served "in" Vietnam. He answered that he did not earn the ribbons, but he was going to wear the hat.
I answered I did not receive the Medal of Honor, but I could buy a hat that says I did.
His feelings were hurt - did I feel bad? No.
I answered I did not receive the Medal of Honor, but I could buy a hat that says I did.
His feelings were hurt - did I feel bad? No.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
Sgt Douglas Berger -
What Do They Find SO Difficult To Understand?
" EITHER They WERE There OR They Were NOT There".
And "NO" It's Not On The Test: -
What Do They Find SO Difficult To Understand?
" EITHER They WERE There OR They Were NOT There".
And "NO" It's Not On The Test: -
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SFC Jerry Teichmiller
I served in both the Marines and Army. Marines being combat in Nam as a Grunt. Bottom line who really gives a shit if they have hurt feelings. Feelings has nothing to do with training for combat....
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SFC Jerry Teichmiller -
And Some SOB'S Worried About FEELINGS ?
I'd Imagine There Was Another Poll Taken And Answers Given By The Outstanding Members Of The Funny Farm, Including The Pond With Fumb Ducks Swimming In Circles
And Some SOB'S Worried About FEELINGS ?
I'd Imagine There Was Another Poll Taken And Answers Given By The Outstanding Members Of The Funny Farm, Including The Pond With Fumb Ducks Swimming In Circles
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I am not from a combat patch wearing service. In my opinion, the unit commander should WANT their troops with combat experience to wear their patches. A FNG would be able to see who had seen the elephant and learn from him or her and maybe not get killed.
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SSG David Fetty
What's next? Equal pay across the board for all ranks so no one will feel they are being discriminated against? No indications of rank? (That's not fair, I feel bad that he has more stripes than I do :( ) The patch, along with other awards, immediately show experience and knowledge, which should help the newbie to know who to ask for advice. They are also earned, not issued, and as such, are something to be proud about. Start taking them away because someone is crying because they haven't earned one, and you may improve the morale for that one person, but you're doing long term damage to the better people you have.
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MSG Mike OHandley
Yep, why not allow those E1s and E2s who's feelings are hurt to wear that pretty set of rank with the three upper stripes, three lower rockers, and that cool wreath with the star in the middle, so they won't feel left out? I bet that the CSM would love to share his rank with someone whose been in the military a whole two or three months. LOL
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
MSG Loren Tomblin -
"LOOK MOM ~ I Have A Purple Heart" ~
I Was Spreading Peanut Butter Over My Toast & Almost
Scratched My Pinky"
"LOOK MOM ~ I Have A Purple Heart" ~
I Was Spreading Peanut Butter Over My Toast & Almost
Scratched My Pinky"
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I almost deleted my account when I read this.... This question right here shows what dire straights out military and society are in... Makes me sick to think that it's a serious question.
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1SG Todd Sullivan
Thanks bud we all followed it in Army Times when this first came out and then went away as soon as it hit the cold morning air... appreciate the input though.SSG David A
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT Montana Crawford - If kids think Tide Pods are good, wait until they find out about the cotton candy in the attic and the green Kool-Aid in their car radiator.
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SPC Nancy Greene
I never made it past Sp4(P) due to ‘freeze’ in AG field. Wonder what would happen in today’s Army? SFC Cameron Sewell
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I am an army brat. My dad is a WW2 veteran and wore his 10th Mt. Div. patch on his right shoulder. As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a soldier, and wanted to earn my own right shoulder patch. I think maybe I coveted a right shoulder patch more than his silver star. (I was a kid.) Well, I served for 24 years from 1978 to 2002, and I was never sent to combat. We only had little actions with limited participation in those years. So, no right shoulder patch. I would like to have earned one, but it was not in the cards. I value yours and respect it and what you did to earn it. I would never, never ask you to take it off. I celebrate your accomplishment rather than envy it. Any senior officer who request that you remove it is out of touch with the real army.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
Wow, you can really tell I was in the peace time army, I had no idea what FWTS-SSI stood for, I had to look it up.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
It is a little know fact that the Air Force had the highest death rate (per capita) in the war. I have great respect for those guys, even love for what they gave for us.
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PO1 Martin Hall
MAJ Matthew Arnold - Only to those that have never studied WWII history. Its mainly because of the early planes and war planing in the ETO. When they started getting escorted the loss rate dropped radically but it still was not a type duty you'd normally hope for.
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With all due respect to whoever made this decision, this is ridiculous. Maybe they should remove Airborne, Air Assault, CIB, CAB, and any other earned badges/patches. I guess they will remove the rank also?
I recommend holding a "professional development" session. Have various NCOs to one by one tell various stories about their deployment experience(s) to include why they may opt for one combat patch versus another. As a Drill Sergeant, the young recruits seemed to appreciate when I told them of a fellow Soldier who deployed with four different brigades. With one patch worn, the other three were always in his right shoulder pocket. Of the four, he would always wear a specific one in the morning and a then a specific different one during afternoons. The other two remained in the pocket. The two he chose to wear were with regard to the units where he lost a battle buddy.
- a story like that may inspire the respect and honor that those young Soldiers should have - not only for the Soldiers who wear combat patches, but for the patches themselves.
EDIT - I kept thinking about this question and desired to add to my answer. If by chance there are Soldiers within the unit that have combat patches who are looking down upon, belittling, or otherwise harassing Soldiers who have not had the opportunity to earn one yet . . . and this action is causing a morale problem within the unit, then I would be the first to agree that removing all combat patches until such a time that it would no longer be an issue would not be such a bad idea. I say this because I have witnessed Soldiers who placed themselves "above" others because of a badge, patch, or experience that another Soldier did not have. What should happen is that opportunities to inspire and mentor Soldiers should be taken advantage of.
"One may have knowledge and experience. But, they are only a Leader if they are followed."
~ Nathan Bryant
I recommend holding a "professional development" session. Have various NCOs to one by one tell various stories about their deployment experience(s) to include why they may opt for one combat patch versus another. As a Drill Sergeant, the young recruits seemed to appreciate when I told them of a fellow Soldier who deployed with four different brigades. With one patch worn, the other three were always in his right shoulder pocket. Of the four, he would always wear a specific one in the morning and a then a specific different one during afternoons. The other two remained in the pocket. The two he chose to wear were with regard to the units where he lost a battle buddy.
- a story like that may inspire the respect and honor that those young Soldiers should have - not only for the Soldiers who wear combat patches, but for the patches themselves.
EDIT - I kept thinking about this question and desired to add to my answer. If by chance there are Soldiers within the unit that have combat patches who are looking down upon, belittling, or otherwise harassing Soldiers who have not had the opportunity to earn one yet . . . and this action is causing a morale problem within the unit, then I would be the first to agree that removing all combat patches until such a time that it would no longer be an issue would not be such a bad idea. I say this because I have witnessed Soldiers who placed themselves "above" others because of a badge, patch, or experience that another Soldier did not have. What should happen is that opportunities to inspire and mentor Soldiers should be taken advantage of.
"One may have knowledge and experience. But, they are only a Leader if they are followed."
~ Nathan Bryant
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SSG Paul Headlee
I can't see ever having a soldier remove an award that he has earned. On the other hand if he's making an ass of himself then he is unfit for a leadership position and should be counseled with regard to that. If he's one of those guys who does not seek a leadership position and yet is making an ass of himself then that is prejudicial to good order and discipline and he should be counseled and dealt with appropriately. It's normal for the old guys and I'm talking lower enlisted here, to flick the new guys s***.
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Take off your combat patch and everyone put on your participation ribbon.
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SSG Eddye Royal
The soldiers that earned those patches are listed on their DD-214, file, should be able to wear ever patch earned that is legal. That can also notated by Regulation by your UIC at your Battery, Battalion or Higher chain.
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SGT Jim Humphrey
SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates - NDSM seems like a participation but not everyone earned that.
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SSgt Kurt Behnke
...isn't that like saying i flew a desk in DC during the initial Afghanistan actions under Bush so i deserve to wear a badge or patch? Nice job, but really, "deserve"="combat"? So, you should give an NDSM to Angelina Jolie for going to Syria last week on behalf of the United States of America authorized visa by the State Department? Really? REALLY? ... just walking around with an escort qualifies for the NDSM or Combat patch? Is this really a serious question or are you guys JUST KIDDING and nothing better to do? (or are you just NUTS?)
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Ok, this Squid has to chime in. Not only no, but HELL NO! The patches are something to be worn with pride and those E-1's/E-2's should look at those with respect for what they went through to earn them. And for them to strive to earn their own.
It's hard for me to believe that a CO would even consider something like that. It's PC/Kumbayaa/don't hurt anyone's feelings B.S. run amuck.
It's hard for me to believe that a CO would even consider something like that. It's PC/Kumbayaa/don't hurt anyone's feelings B.S. run amuck.
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SP5 Larry Morris
SPC (Join to see) - Yes college is number one and looking for easy job that has little work no week ends etc. I see no way back couldn't be in today When I was in I saw the beginning of this crap
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SPC (Join to see)
I didn't qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill because I was discharged before it was created. The only thing I could do was put money aside for it. I only saw a few lazy bums that tried to get out of everything. I was probably already discharged before the beginning of shammer's paradise. I do remember one woman who was always on sick call. Even other women hated her.
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SSG Eddye Royal
The soldiers that earned those patches are listed on their DD-214, file, should be able to wear ever patch earned that is legal. That can also notated by Regulation by your UIC at your Battery, Battalion or Higher chain. I was a training NCO for a couple a units thats I was apart of and had access to regulatory information.
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