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

I Enlisted in 1974 and damned near everyone had Combat Patch except us Newbies. Did it bother me hell No. I Retired in 1998 and because of where is was Stationed and Position I missed going to Granada, Panama, Desert Storm. So I never wore a Patch on my Right Sleeve. Yes, but only because I did not want anyone thinking this guy hid out when just the other way I was Constantly going to my Superiors and for reason on reason or another I was told No you are needed right here. Did I cry or whine about it. No I saluted said yes Sir and went about my Job. Then in 2006 I was Ordered to Active Duty I still do not have a Combat Patch (Badge) Does it bother me sometimes do I whine about it No. What in the Hell is our Army coming to Sergeants need to Man-Up and start control of our Troops and quit this BS. Sensitivity be Damned suck it up March on.

What the hell is this all about? Now the military has to cater to a bunch of candy asses because they feel they should have right to wear a combat patch they never earned? Sounds a bit like stolen valor before they got the valor. The military is not built on the pricipal that all get a trophy for participation. It's built on merit, duty, and honor. Taking away from those men and women who have made the sacrifice and earned the right to wear a combat patch and/or ribbons to prevent hurtbutt feelings for those who haven't made the connect is total BS. It dishonors sacrifices made. If the candies can't handle it then put their whiny asses out.

Hell NO! That patch is part of your uniform and just because a wet behind the ears E-1 or E-2 doesn't have one, isn't my problem. Let alone if they are sensitive to it. It's the military, sensitivity was left on the front door step, the second you left for basic. I was on a carrier and deployed during OEF/OIF in which we provided air support for both. Due to requirements we weren't awarded either campaign badge. Oh well, I don't have a combat patch, ribbon or medal saying I was shot at, doesn't make me less than them. We rescued the Iranian Fishermen in 2010, we dealt with Iran's BS for several days afterwards. We were harrassed by Iran during every strait crossing. I lost sleep as a Fire Controlman, because I worked nights, but that's part of the job. If they want it, go earn it.

A combat patch shows veteran status and experience these E-2's and E-3's do not have. If you serve in combat and endure that experience you earn the right above anyone who never experienced combat to wear that badge of honor. I think combat veterans should be treated exactly as military retirees with the same privileges and even retired pay for the highest rank they held before they ETS'ed. Why should a retiree who never deployed be treated better than me or others like me who served in combat? There are many who never deployed to combat because of MOS or timing but they still have respect for those that did go to combat. For those whiners See form provided by SFC Thomas Livingston. He is on point.

Absolutely not, they need to suck it up. The problem new soldiers is they think we have to care about their feelings and the answer is no we don't. When Im smoking, sorry performing corrective training on a joe the last think I am thinking about is how he feels. One of the reasons I joined the Army is because you earn your keep. Put in the work and you get what you deserves in most cases and thats spoken from a non-deployed Soldiers.

absolutely not! if you get your feelings hurt because you have not seen the ugly side of life, stay in, get into the infantry, the Rangers, SF. You'll get you a little patch.

I think that everyone knows this unit and the BCT CDR... First of all, this policy is often taken out of context. The reason was to achieve cohesiveness in a field environment, not the garrison environment. Having been a part of a different particular unit that does just this, I never felt stepped on or marginalized because I wasn't wearing my velcro patch on my right shoulder. The heart of this policy is it's not about you or what you did; it's who you are now and what you bring to the team. Having moved to a new unit, all I wear to the field is my unit patch and IR flag. It's not about catering to people who whine because they don't have your bling; it's about emphasizing the current team and not basking in your past successes and accomplishments.

Hell no, if they want one then they need to earn one. It gives them a goal in life. They need to leave the sensitivities at the damn door. This coming from a Marine!

Holy shit. As a junior soldier I greatly appreciate seeing those around. I also might have a tad bit more respect for those with them than those without.

They will get over feeling left out, I did look up to Soldiers that wore them until I deployed. I realized it is not the patch that means anything but the story underneath the patch. I could have worn a few different ones but never chose to wear one.
Last deployment with a brigade I seen a Maj that was so grossly overweight that it was a good thing he had ACU's on instead of BDU style blouse otherwise the buttons would have popped off. Never left Bagram and came out with a patch and a BSM. I have all the respect in the world for those that actually did the door kicking, the cooks that ran gun truck missions in Iraq, the troops on RCP's and all those that stood in the line of fire or went looking for it. Those in CSS units should be good with just overseas bar.

NO, Not in my Army.

they should be mandatory. and no, you dont get one thats a knife just because youre sad..

Those patches are earned! So what if some E1 or E2 boot feels left out! If they want something special, they have to earn it! They want a combat patch so bad then they should volunteer to go to combat and they'll get one if they come back alive. They shouldn't even be whining about that! Why do they glorify combat?! They should be glad that they're doing what no snowflake wants to do!
If you earn a patch/ribbon/medal, wear that with pride! Don't take it off because some fresh out of bootcamp idiot is jealous!

Why the hell did someone downvote this?

Is it time for a good old walk behind the connex counseling session? I cannot think of a more insulting thing to do to a combat vet.

Soldiers earn those patches

That is very absurd order. As a Private I admired those who had combat patches and them I finally got my own. They can get their own eventually just like I did. Those patches is motivation.

NO

HELL NO! If your "feelings" are hurt due to someones recognition of their commitment, sacrifice, and service to our country that you haven'y experienced then YOU don't belong in the military! Those ARE NOT participation awards! AE-2 '75-'79

There is no room for snowflakes in the Army. Suck it up and drive on buttercups.