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 10 y ago
Responses: 1628
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They probably will anyway. They took the beret away from being for the elite and let everyone wear them to hush up the whining...
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If you earned them you are out of uniform if they are not displayed properly on that uniform. WTH is everyone worried about hurting some new soldiers feelings? Those Combat Patches are a way of identifying an individual who was there and can share valuable information with a young man or woman facing their first deployment. It is a symbol of valor and patriotism to have served in combat. I have none of these patches and admire soldiers who can wear them and am always interested in their experiences. We need to uphold Army regulations that describe in detail that you wear what you earned whether it was in combat or Air Assault School if its authorized its worn.
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MSG (Join to see)
Actually, SFC according to AR670-1 the wear of the "combat Patch" is at the discretion of the Soldier. So they fact that I have earned one doesn't require that I wear it. I as the Soldier that earned it can wear it or not. However, most will unless there is a specific region not to.
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101st Airborne leaders deny rumors they forced soldiers to remove combat patches for training
“According to brigade leadership, there was never a command or directive given to soldiers regarding the removal of their shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service (combat patch),” said Master Sgt.
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MSG Wally Carmichael
Hmmm, that's kind of odd considering a few of those who were in the organization, when this event allegedly occurred, are on RP and have confirmed the incident.
Notice, at the start of the article, Master Sgt. Kevin Doheny, a spokesman for the Leadership, is representing the leadership stating the order was not given.
However, later in the article he states...
"When Army Times asked if leaders at the battalion level could have issued such a directive, Doheny said he was unable to get an answer quickly because the units are training and cannot be reached until they return from the field. If there was such a directive, however, Army regulations allow commanders to alter soldiers’ uniforms in a training environment as necessary, Doheny said."
Which means Doheny could not have reached the leadership in the first place to confirm nor deny the event occurred.
In either case, this did happen later as mentioned at the bottom of the article.
In that case, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team wanted his soldiers’ uniforms to only show name, rank, American flag, U.S. Army tape and the division’s insignia while they were in the field.
The purpose was to promote a unified Army culture, the commander, Col. David Hodne, told the Colorado Springs Gazette at the time. He also wanted to boost morale by making newcomers feel welcome.
Soldiers from the Stryker brigade, based at Fort Carson, Colorado, were free to pin back on any patches they wanted back in garrison.
Notice, at the start of the article, Master Sgt. Kevin Doheny, a spokesman for the Leadership, is representing the leadership stating the order was not given.
However, later in the article he states...
"When Army Times asked if leaders at the battalion level could have issued such a directive, Doheny said he was unable to get an answer quickly because the units are training and cannot be reached until they return from the field. If there was such a directive, however, Army regulations allow commanders to alter soldiers’ uniforms in a training environment as necessary, Doheny said."
Which means Doheny could not have reached the leadership in the first place to confirm nor deny the event occurred.
In either case, this did happen later as mentioned at the bottom of the article.
In that case, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team wanted his soldiers’ uniforms to only show name, rank, American flag, U.S. Army tape and the division’s insignia while they were in the field.
The purpose was to promote a unified Army culture, the commander, Col. David Hodne, told the Colorado Springs Gazette at the time. He also wanted to boost morale by making newcomers feel welcome.
Soldiers from the Stryker brigade, based at Fort Carson, Colorado, were free to pin back on any patches they wanted back in garrison.
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GySgt Carl Rumbolo
Bottom line here - folks making too much of this. If someone did order this, it was a boneheaded decision that got reversed - anyone who has spent any amount of time in the service sees bonehead decisions - remember the old mantra 'green side out, brown side out, run in circles scream and shout' or "sleeves up - no, sleeves down, no sleeves up" and a 2nd Lt having spasms because half the platoon is sleeves up and other half is sleeves down....and the company gunny and 1st Sgt are behind the platoon chuckling....
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Patch are not given. They are earned. It is like a motivation tool for those E1 and E2 and other senior members that have never deployed before. Don't forget that a lot of sacrifices are done doing deployment. Besides risking your life, family's are forever changed. Divorces, children's birth and birthdays missed. Your whole life is put on hold and the uncertain and pain that your love ones go through when they don't see or hear from you. The holidays with loved ones that are missed. Not laying in a comfortable bed for so long, not having the option to eat what you want when you want....The list goes on. Now those that have not been deployed before should not be treated any less as we are all part of he military and are serving one beautiful Nation. The USA
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MSG Wally Carmichael This is about the most idiotic thing I have ever heard. Having said that, my understanding is that the order has been rescinded.
Why not take away all rank, awards, etc., so as not to offend those who do not have them? Idiotic...
Why not take away all rank, awards, etc., so as not to offend those who do not have them? Idiotic...
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MSG Wally Carmichael
I too read the order at 3rd BCT was rescinded. But the Commander at the other organization stood by his order when interviewed.
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Those patches are earned from being in combat and should not be taken for granted. The men and women that have them EARNED them, pissy ass crybabies have no place in our military and I would not want a single one of them that is crying about this watching my six.
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I've never been deployed and I don't feel left out because I haven't earned it. These new generation soldiers are soft skinned sensitive craps. This is an army not a business. If you want one so badly volunteer for deployment in a combat zone.
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U.S. Navy doesn't have "combat patches". Our lack of insecurity runs deep.
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I really hope this is BS. As for those with hurt feelings, get a effin life. Grow a set of gonades and carry your ass into combat, see your BB get blown away and then complain... This screams "Stress Card"..
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