Should we remove combat patches to be sensitive to those who don't have them?

I don't care either way. I think it's laughable to think some people "earned" a combat patch just because they were in a deployed environment. I know numerous people with multiple deployments that worked less hours in theater than they did in Garrison. To say those people have experience is stupid. On one of my deployments we brought in all these new people because of their "deployment experience" and they were absolutely worthless. My Soldiers who were on their first deployment were running circles around these Officers and NCOs down range. So when I see a combat patch I don't think experience. All I see is someone who has "been" in a "combat theater".

Sorry, but if you're going to be "sensitive" about something like that...seriously where did we go wrong?

It is with great difficulty that I maintain my military bearing answering this question. Simply put, NO. If these new "Soldiers" feel so bad about not having a combat patch, they should volunteer for the next deployment.

Then I step back and look down the road with some of these "Soldiers" leading the Army, and I get truly frightened. If these "Soldiers" get butthurt over not having a combat patch, how are they going to react when Mr. I Hate Americans shoots at them? I see a lot of body bags coming home with these people running things.

they need to fill out a DA FORM IMT WF1 (hurt feelings report) and submit it through their S1.

Sensitive...? Really !?!?!? I agree with everyone that posted "no".

Should we remove anything that we are eligible/permitted to wear on our uniforms according to 670-1? No - unless it's on the individual to opt not to wear said item (again, if it's permitted in 670-1)....the combat patch or SSI, doesn't have to be worn if the Soldier doesn't want to wear it. That being said - for a BCT commander (and I know the who, where and when this happened) to order the entire BCT not to wear them is a bit much imo.

I find it hard to believe this really happened. If it did, especially in a combat arms brigade, that brigade commander and brigade CSM need to just retire - they have become too sissified to lead men into battle. (But I reiterate, I don't think it really happened.)

The patch should be used to show where to find experience, if it is being used in a negative way the Command should address that issue, i personally do not feel this was a good way to address the issue but, i am not a leader in that unit.

So did they complain in high school because they didn't have a varsity letter cuz the seasoned players earned theirs? What's next? Removing airborne or air assault badges? They need to suck it up!!!!

When I enlisted, I was surrounded by men with combat patches. It never caused me to look at myself and feel like left out or like I was beneath anyone else (other than being a private of course).
I just looked at them with admiration. It gave me something to admire and something to look forward to.

So what they didn't deploy so they don't have one... We earned out deployment patch

No!

This has to be fake.

pretty ridiculous, I am glad that I am not in that unit

It's like asking you not to wear your NAM because the new guy came in a day too late, far as I can tell.

Hell no

That unit leadership is probably retarded

You earned that combat patch with your blood sweat and tears. So let those newbies suck it up and learn from those vets . It would take 2 Ranger battalions to rip my combat patch off and even then they would have a hard time. You earned them you wear em. Peace. Out.

Well that's just too fucking bad. When you are in the military you are either a warrior or you are support personnel for the warriors (FYI, I was the latter). The military shouldn't prop up the support people or lower the accomplishments of the soldiers who fought our countries wars by taking away the combat patches THAT THEY EARNED. This goes the same for newbys who just entered the military. When the new peoples units are deployed, they too will get combat patches and they won't want anyone telling them they can't wear patches that they were awarded. I'm so tired of hearing about people with "hurt feelings". It sounds like these people should be in college where they can hide out in one of those "safe spaces" where they can relax and take a "time out" instead of serving in the military!!

No way...the poor little newbies needn't to earn theirs! This sensitivity crap is just going too far!!

What the flock is going on with today's military. I have not earned that sacred patch but wish I had earned one. Not many opportunities in early to mid 80s. Know from those that have done that time that it is a special brother/sisterhood deal and I never get tired of hearing any story from anyone in military history talking the talk as they walked that walk. I am personally damn proud of each and every one of you and you wear that bad boy with John Wayne type pride as you can bet your sweet bippy I sure as hell would if I could.

Contrary to the dig at Air Force we to admire the work and danger that earns combat patches. If feelings are you concern military life is not an option for you. When someone has something I want I take myself out and work to earn it.

I can’t believe this should even be a question. Short answer is no. Long answer...hell no.

Crybabies. I would tell them how they can earn them :-). I got a CAB because of our SOPs. I got it promptly after returning. My friends in the infantry whom had earned CIBs via combat were disgruntled because they didnt get theres for over a year after returning. Needless to say, I didnt want to wear mine around them. But if a private is offended because they didnt get one, and never deployed, I would tell them to suck it up.

No... Enough with the PC stuff already.

Combat patches are earned, so should we remove awards, jump wings and pathfinder patches because joe/molly doesn't have them? If that is the case take off all unit patches that were earned before you joined the unit!!! GTHOH!!!

You get awarded for what you work to achieve! Not everything in this universe has to be equal. That’s exactly one of the reasons our society is going to hell in a hand basket... too many want something for nothing. EARN IT!

Hell to the f@$k NO!!!!

Nuts! ..

You need to go beat their parents. I've been in 10 years and don't have a patch. Piss off.