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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PFC Don Palumbo
It's really a stupid question perpetrated by a bunch of candy asses. Do we have an Army or a bunch of Cub Scouts.??? This whole thing is reduciculous. What kind of officers do we have nowadays.??? How could they address something so bazzar as this.??? In my day this would never happen and it shouldn't be allowed now. The cry baby recruits are supposed to be made into men----Or women as the case may be---. The cry babys should be put on permanent KP. Then maybe they would learn what soldiering is all about. Are we building a strong military, or a group of wimps.??? How in hell do those ass holes think they have a right to wear combat patches when they hav'nt become soldiers yet.??? Do they not know that it is a high honor to wear the patch.??? What next.??? Do they get a CMH.??? Their is no room for bullshit in the military. Not for the recruits or the officers that don't put them in their proper place.
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CPT James Burkholder
To me this indicates the lack of awareness of the support troops on their own importance to a war effort . Napoleon (I think) said that an army marches on it's stomach. He lost Russia because of the lack of support to his fighting troops. The medics, the transportation units and all the others that provide the ability to the fighting men & women do their own part and without it the people in the front lines will die. You support people maybe didn't get shot at every day, but neither did the fighting troops on the front. You support people were at risk for attack that maybe and maybe or not it occurred. Still I think you need to get a life and not worry about the fluff of the U.S. military. You know what you did, and the people on the front know maybe even better what you did and are so very grateful for your service.
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This is just my 2 cents but I feel awards and decorations are incentives for Soldiers to excel. The combat patch in my opinion is a decoration saying that I have done something that not everyone has. If it hurts your feelings that you don't have one. Do what I did to get one. its not that hard. Volunteer, That's what I did. I was an E6 that had never been deployed. I actually volunteered to go with a different unit then what I was assigned to. If you are jealous of something another Soldier has don't punish that Soldier. Strive to attain it yourself.
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CPL Daniel Nimrod
If you're a cry baby soldier that's upset about everybody else having a patch you probably should be mustered out before you get your panties in a bunch.
Or put yourself in a position to earn it like so many before you.
The military has no room for cry babies.
You're all heroes to some degree or another. Act like it.
Or put yourself in a position to earn it like so many before you.
The military has no room for cry babies.
You're all heroes to some degree or another. Act like it.
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Hell no... Do that and where does the cave in to entitlement end? Ban Skill Badges and then their combat counterparts ('cause hell, if not having an EIB makes you "too sad for duty", not having a CIB must be worthy of a Congressional investigation). But why stop there... "Award envy" will eventually undermine any recognition for service (due to its measurable impact on "newbie readiness" ratings). Give an inch now, a mile tomorrow and soon enough, the MOH will no longer be sacred.
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Dumbest shit I ever heard. I don't have a deployment patch (yet) doesn't bother me. You want it go out and earn it.
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LCpl Rich Vail
You're a Jarhead, we don't need that stuff. However, it's been the tradition in the Army for 100 years. There's a reason for it. Changing it now is both stupid and counter productive. When I was a very young PFC in the early 80's, we paid far more attention to the Gunny's and MSgt's what been shot at, than any one else...this is the Army's version of that.
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With all due respect MSG Wally Carmichael, they can all go pound dirt. I earned my patches and and proud of the combat units that I served with. I remember when I returned from Nam, I was one of only a couple combat veterans in my unit at Fort Hood Texas and they had pans for me. Boy dd I let them down with PTSD and too much drinking although PTSD was recognized then.
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Boo, Hoo, Hoo. You earn what you get in the military. Talk about poor camaraderie. They'll get theirs when it's due.
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It's not the first time this has happened. AR 670-1 authorizes commanders to modify the uniform for certain training needs. My personal opinion is that this is not a good idea in this particular case. New soldiers haven't earned it yet, just like they haven't earned higher rank, president's hundred, or ranger tabs. Are we going to start removing all rank below certain command levels during exercises so newer soldiers don't feel left out or discriminated against? It doesn't seem very good for attrition to piss off the more experienced soldiers like that.
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I will guarantee you that this was not an effort to not hurt the tent pegs feelings rather then the brand new butter bars who would have to deal with the fact that they do not wear a combat patch. I do believe that if you are not wearing an authorized uniform accoutrement, you would be deemed out of uniform. If nothing else, displaying the combat patch will show the new recruits as well as the new officers they deserve the respect given to ANY soldier who has seen combat. To all of those soldiers, I salute you. Thank you for your service.
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Uhm no, when I went to basic I was in awe of the Vietnam Vets with their patches and just had respect for them. Should be treated just as skill badges, they earned the right to wear them. Let's put a limit on the sensitivity crap.
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I responded earlier but it occured to me certain policies should be addressed. There is a blanket caveat to 670-1 that justifies idiocy like this: "A Commander may add to but not take away from the Army standard". This means a CO or BC can order all their troops to be uniform for whatever reason. While I abhor such decisions, it is in their right, however subordinates can use command climate surveys and other official grievance methods to address morale issues etc. The fact there is a good deal of CYA and backpedaling by senior leaders in the 101st right now, grievances are being heard
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SFC Benjamin Varlese
The outcry was heard and the order has been rescinded. Hopefully this will serve as a learning experience for senior leaders in the future who succumb to the silver-tongued 'Good Idea Faerie'. It's nonsense like this and the now-amended draconian tattoo policy that massacres retention of seasoned veterans and weakens our force.
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You mean to tell me 2% of you candy assed sons of bitches said yes???????? I wonder which PFC that BDE CDR is going to ask to approve his leave form??? Holy hell I'm glad I retired. Do me a favor, if the SHTF just leave me out of it I'll go rogue and keep my Hooah all to myself instead.
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Why is this question even being entertained? PC is ruining peoples normal thought process.
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Seriously!! Is this even a question?!? This isn't boy/Girl Scouts I'm sorry but this softness needs to stop! The ones who have deployed in a combat zone deserve their patch! I did a Peace keeping mission and I don't have a patch for deployment because it wasn't combat& I'm ok with that!! People need to relax & do what they signed up to do!!
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SGM Erik Marquez
And there we have a voice of reason from the very demographic that supposedly needs to be protected from the evils of the have and have nots.
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Remove combat patches and badges so the newer troops don't feel intimidated? Maybe they also need to deploy with GP Medium "safe room" tents, complete with soothing New Age music, scented candles, and Teddy bears.
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You're not going to believe this crap. 3 BCT is not the only command doing this. 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and others are doing this SH*T to.
Read the entire article. I really want to know what the hell these commanders are thinking.
http://www.ijreview.com/2016/03/551421-soldiers-furious-after-what-army-combat-teams-are-making-them-take-off-their-uniforms/?
Read the entire article. I really want to know what the hell these commanders are thinking.
http://www.ijreview.com/2016/03/551421-soldiers-furious-after-what-army-combat-teams-are-making-them-take-off-their-uniforms/?
Soldiers Are Furious After What Army Combat Teams Are Making Them Take Off Their Uniforms
"We lost all the men we respect to..."
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CPT (Join to see)
I do not know, but I will lose some rank if a unit I'm in ever tries some nonsense like this.
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Don't buy into this guys! This is a former Ranger battalion colonel getting his guys to go sterile like the regt does. I've talked to people in the know and this is NOT what it appears. It's not PC crap, it's a commander getting his guys to work together and let their actions speak louder than badges. This is only in the field not garrison.
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