Soldiers deployed to Africa receive the shoulder sleeve insignia(combat patch) should soldiers deployed to Europe be allowed it too?

2016-03-04T18:38:04-05:00

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 6:50 PM

2016-03-04T18:50:08-05:00

No.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 6:53 PM

2016-03-04T18:53:04-05:00

Definitely not... not even Korea.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Mar 4 at 2016 7:01 PM

2016-03-04T19:01:46-05:00

No, sorry SGT Private RallyPoint Member . Africa is a slightly different challenge than Europe. Spend a year worried about TB, Diphtheria, Malaria, poisonous snakes, and some nasty insects, not to mention a population that never knows who will be in charge next month, and you see just a few of the problems of serving in Africa.

Response by SPC Timothy Repetto made Mar 4 at 2016 8:49 PM

2016-03-04T20:49:13-05:00

No only because those are not zones of conflict. There for not reason to be awarded a "Combat Patch". North African States are as unstable as they come. Rebel regimes are everywhere. Although there are terror attacks in Europe the governments aren't deteriorating. If this were the case everyone would get a combat patch who goes to South Korea.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 4 at 2016 10:25 PM

2016-03-04T22:25:00-05:00

If it floats your boat, I'm good with it. Banks use titles, we in the military use awards in place of advancements and pay/benefits. Seems to work.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 5 at 2016 12:33 AM

2016-03-05T00:33:10-05:00

You get a OSR! I got to laugh, back in the mid 90's there was an exercise in Europe called Operation Atlantic Resolve. It lasted about a month long and had many NATO countries involved. By the time it ended, we began to call it "Atlantic Unresolved".

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2016 6:57 AM

2016-03-05T06:57:48-05:00

Is there any Soldiers in combat in Europe?
Since the answer is no, I think you have the answer.

Response by SSG James Elmore made Mar 5 at 2016 11:10 AM

2016-03-05T11:10:14-05:00

I believe no matter where you are deployed to if you were on TCS orders and receive hazardous duty/combat pay you should be allowed to wear it.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 6 at 2016 1:35 AM

2016-03-06T01:35:44-05:00

No, Europe is not Africa. Back in early 1980's several Army bases suffered terrorist attacks or attempted attacks and we never got a combat patch for that. Its even safer now in Europe.

Most military members sent to Africa are deployed to the rear and not in combat. The ones that are, well, you will not hear about those guys. They don't hand out combat patches for missions that never existed...

Maybe future missions will not be classified and the US will openly acknowledge combat operations in Africa. Until then, I don't see them allowing combat patches for either location.

Response by SFC Timothy Reynolds made Mar 8 at 2016 5:51 PM

2016-03-08T17:51:08-05:00

Not all Soldier deployed to Africa get a combat patch. Soldiers who are with the Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai do not get a combat patch or tax exemption however they do receive "combat pay". Or at least that's the way it was when I was there in 06-07. And No, I don't believe Soldiers who are stationed in non combat zones should be allowed to wear a combat patch.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 6:55 PM

2016-03-10T18:55:35-05:00

No they should not.