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."
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 1628
I'm a Desert Shield/Desert Storm Era veteran. Does it hurt my feelings that I didn't get deployed and that I don't have a medal for it? No. I'm happy to be alive and to have served during the era. Let those who earned the medals and patches wear them and let me honor them for performing their duty with honor.
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My immediate response is WTF? Hard to believe this is even a question. But them I remember that todays troops grew up in a "Time-Out" - "Participation Trophy" world. Alas, little snowflakes....the world is a screwed up dangerous place. Grab hold of your balls and persevere....you will get your patch.
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Seriously!? Quit with the over sensitive everything culture! They were earned, not everything is offensive, grow the hell up!!
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WHAT????? Should I have not worn my stripes so not to have offended the PVT's
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A wise man once told me "don't go to combat, let combat come to you!". All of those whining about not having a combat patch will get there chance to get their chance here shortly!
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Combat patches are earned, with blood, sweat, & tears it also signifies you been to combat, so no they shouldn’t be removed.
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So some one in Command may have a case of the BooHoos, and no participation award, or is overly sensitive to those without, whaaaa. OK guess what, they aren't protecting the egos of the FNG's. I would suspect that some senior type without the time down range doesn't want to be scrutinized and reflected upon as not having a participation award. My self, sure I was in a Hostile Fire Pay Zone, and I'm not authorized a participation award for the action either, as for being asked about it, I'd just man up and say I wasn't authorized one due to time frame and requirements. Add that when I was in service, rules may of been different, and where it made a impact was on the official DoD photo for promotion purposes. When you are away from the flagpole and scrutiny, slap it on, otherwise stay within command dictates. It is what NCO's are supposed to do no matter how galling.
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Absolutely 100% NOT !! That would be totally ludicrous just because he/she hasn't earned theirs. Once you deploy into a particular theater,you'll most assuredly earn something. So all those desk jockeys out ther get off your ass, and get involved with that which we're trained to do ! Stand watch over those who sleep at night, and dispose of the sorry piece of shit who intends on mass casualties on our turf ! If you're main focus is on how many patches/ribbons and medals you can put on a uniform, then you should have joined the boy/girl scouts. Many patches, ribbons and medals are and were earned in the (Valley) ! So let's leave it at that juncture!
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