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

So, if we remove the patches, do we also remove the hash marks? How about service bars? The whole point is to give credit where credit is due. One of the best things about the US Military uniforms is that one can see the experience of each individual because their service is acknowledged by the shoulder patches, awards and hash marks on their sleeve. It's one of the things that makes us all one family.

It’s not a “Participation Trophy” Sweetheart.

Combat patches should definitely be optional, as I know quite a few soldiers that were embarrassed to wear the ones authorized; but, the wearing of them should never be dismissed for wokeness. A young soldier will more likely respect what is told him/her by a person wearing one than not.

Those soldiers earned those patches. If you stay in long enough you’ll have a chance too.

Combat patches have become "participation symbols". It doesn't matter if you were a direct combatant or a unit clerk, supply clerk, etc. (REMF, as we used to refer to them as), you get to wear the patch. It has been that way for too many years. So what makes a Basic or AIT cadre member that is only looking for advancement to begin with to volunteer for "DI" to flaunt a combat patch if they were never close enough to combat to hear a gunshot or IED going off? The new soldiers are not being left out because they don't have the patch...unless of course the REMF cadre thinks they are something special because they have one. This is coming from a retired senior NCO who is fed up with the military members who thrive on the "Thank You for your service" narrative. If they need pats on the back for being patriotic, they shouldn't be in the service of their country to begin with.

This is an idiotic policy. Absolutely no one with a combat patch should be required to remove that symbol of their experience.

From one private who has been somewhere to those who have not been through training yet: Stop whining! You gotta earn those patches!

Combat patches are earned!
Im sorry that they feel left out but I shouldn't have to give up my patches because of their feeligs!

By this logic, all the Zoomies who "deployed" to Ali Al Saleem or wherever for 90 days should be issued a bronze star because it's not fair that they didn't get shot at.

Honestly? Is this a real thing or is someone pulling a stunt? You earn your rank badges right, should some no rank fuzz butt get to wear Senior Chief anchors cuz he/she/it is jealous or feels undervalued? You earn your ribbons, you earn your rank, you earn your qualification devices - you display them on your uniform to proclaim your achievements and your authority.... This has just got to be a badly written sea story (or dirt story I guess)

That is like having a participation trophy, no one has the right to take away something they earn; because someone doesn’t have a combat patch. They want credit for something they haven’t done. We didn’t join for recognition, but serve our country.

You have to be "ing" kidding me. Pershing is likely rolling over in his grave over this one.

NO! They do not have combat patches because they were never in a combat zone. Honor those that served in combat zones, don't make them hide this to appease the memebers that have never seen combat or been overseas. Their attitude is childish.

Seriously? I did 6 active and 27 Reserves. I had my Vietnam combat patch on my shoulder. Once I had a Captain tell me it was unauthorized. Later that day in a company in ranks inspection, I actually had a. General doing the inspection. He stopped at me, asked a couple questions, with the Captain trailing. The General actually took two steps back and saluted me. He turned to the Captain and said were very fortunate to have such brave dedicated soldiers, and I wouldn’t have known that had he not been wearing that patch.

We should punish soldiers who earned combat recognition? Who are these new soldiers, two year olds? They need to but on their grownup pants. Their day will come.

Get out there and get it done, whatever "it" is...we don't work for ribbons, we work for results, and it is not always a front line position. They sound like they don't have their heads or their hearts in the game, put them on the bench, send them to the showers, or send them home.

Why don’t we just remove our rank too and call your CO Bob!

No way! I earned mine and proud of it!

All this "sensitivity" in our society, but especially in the military is total bull. Letting it infiltrate the military is ludicrous ... service men & woman are supposed to be immune to such lame, weakminded garbage. If I earned a combat patch and was told not to wear it for the sake of some weanie's feelings, I honestly think I'd laugh ... then ask to see a regulation, OR refer to the regulation about wearing patches. In short, I'd probably insist on the right to keep wearing it.
Leaders need to strive to keep any vestige of "woke" OUT of the military. What the heck is happening to the warrior ethos?

If they have their feelings hurt because they don't have a combat patch, tell them to ignore the cardinal rule of "never volunteer for anything" and be the first to volunteer the next time the unit is scheduled to deploy. Having been in a war zone, I would also caution them to "be careful what you wish for"!