Wearing a CAB without deployment patch

Regulation actually states that you may NOT be required to wear a combat patch, period. So they can question how you earned it, but all you gotta do is say you just don't wear your combat patch, although you are authorized one. I processed a few recommendations for CAB and nowhere in the paperwork I filled out do I recall it asking if the Soldiers had been authorized a combat patch. Hell, you can technically earn a CAB without meeting the time in country requirements for a combat patch. To earn a CAB, you only need ONE major incident, so someone could fly in for a special event, come under fire that qualifies, then depart after it is all over! I doubt it's ever actually happened, but it's possible!

Wow SGT Wallace, it call comment cents therefore AR670-1 can explain it clearly but I am confused when a NCO ask shut questions wow!!!

You are not required to wear your former wartime service shoulder sleeve insignia FWTS/SSI commonly called combat patch or deployment patch assuming you're authorized to wear one to begin with. Most people choose to wear theirs some choose not to, technically the only identifying marks that you are required to wear on your uniform or your name tape US Army tape rank current unit patch and the US flag , however as many have already stated if you are wearing a CAB and don't have your combat patch on it is going to raise a question whether or not you're a px Ranger. And don't have your combat patch on it is going to raise a question whether or not you are a PX Ranger.
If and when the Army chooses to change the regulation when it comes to your particular issue then it'll be clear, until then using a little bit of Common Sense that would have Ward you getting hemmed up as you stated goes a long way. Now I'm not saying that the individual who corrected you did it in the right way or maybe they did but if somebody is doing on the spot correction and especially if they are ranked you you can just calmly explain yourself and make the correction necessary. In my humble personal opinion if you're not going to wear one the one where the other.

Likely a unit guidance. Both units I was apart of verbally discouraged wearing a CIB without wearing a right sleeve patch. I know several people I deployed with who disagree with the guidance and don't wear either a CIB or right sleeve patch as a result.

So you are in essence saying that the Badge is great, but you are ashamed of serving in the unit that enabled the badge? Think, if I saw you on the street without both, you would likely have been be in my office making an explanation. It screams of possible stolen valor, or impersonation.

What is a "deployment patch"?

There is no requirement for wear of the deployment patch and orders are not created to authorize it. Soldiers are also not required to wear one, and if they can wear more than one then Soldiers can alternate from one to another, but they cannot wear more than one at a time. AR 670-1

Congrats on your CAB

You will not find anything stating they must be worn together. If you are authorize to wear one, or many, SSI-FWTS you have the option of wearing which ever you choose or none at all. Unfortunately there are those in command who think they have the power to tell you which one to wear while under their command. What's even more unfortunate is there some leaders are too weak to challenge a policy that is not ligit.

There isn't.

In my personal opinion I'd say they go hand in hand. Wear both your combat patch and CAB or don't wear either. You may not be proud of your combat unit but be proud for your own personal service and for your brothers and sisters in arms from your combat unit that didn't have a chance to wear their deployment patch because they didn't come home.

I don't even wear my CAB. The purpose behind the award is lost. I know and my soldiers now what I have been through, I have nothing to prove to anyone.

I agree that you opened yourself up to scrutiny, but I wouldn't have chewed you out, personally. I would have inquired as to what the deal was. But EOF in mind, simply asking the question usually suffices.

Since you earned your CAB in combat, you should be wearing your combat patch....just my opinion.

You have everything else, why can't you just put the patch on ! I have 3 different combat patches I can wear and I don't have a fancy 'Hand Grenade Badge' (CAB) due to someone screwing up the paperwork. Anyway, Is it you cant afford the patch or you're just being a 'Richard Cranium' ??

I got my 82nd Airborne(Airborne Alcoholics) combat patch and 2 others. 82nd is only one I wore because it was the one I was most proud of even though I was never awarded anything. I was a fuel guy in an infantry unit. Anyone that wasn't infantry didn't get awards. You got coins and handshakes if you where non-infantry no matter how many missions you went on. Plus they didn't have a the CAB when I was with them. I didn't get one till my 3rd deployment when I was with the 1st Cav. got my golden spurs as well.

It is not in the regulation, however "Left Must Equal Right." How can you have a CAB if you don't have a deployment patch?

Not according to AR 670-1

If you do it you are basically saying "I'm showing off that I understand the regulations and want to piss of SNCOs."

It isn't required -- as you know. SSI–FWTS (combat patch) are optional. Would it raise an eyebrow, possibly. However, a simple question would alleviate it (who did you deploy with?). During my last rotation with a Reserve Battalion I know quite a few people who don't wear their patch. For those that received a CAB -- they'd probably put more weight/meaning on the CAB than the unit itself.

As for being questioned about SSI–FWTS -- I always enjoy wearing my "special snowflake" patch from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF-FWD). Definitely have gotten quite a few questions about that, and even told to take it off once (even after showing the exception to policy signed by the G1).

I served with an NCO who had to be ordered to wear his CIB. He had reasons for not wearing it that were completely understandable. Personally, I think he should have been allowed to not wear his CIB but our commander disagreed.

I can understand why someone would be suspicious of a CAB and no unit patch though. How do you have one without the other? I'd expect more of that until you slap on a unit patch or remove the CAB.

I can't say I'm proud of the Brigade my company spent most of our deployments attached to, so I'd avoid that one. Pretty sure most of the company felt the same way.

However, we did fall under the 16th MP for that last bit of the deployment, and that's the one most of us wore after.