Posted on Apr 13, 2015
SSG Schools Non Commissioned Officer
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Screen shot 2015 04 13 at 6.55.17 pm
I got hemmed up today because I was not wearing my deployment patch with my combat action badge I looked for a regulation stating they must be worn together but can't find anything. I've never heard of this has anyone else?
Posted in these groups: Imgres DeploymentHqdefault Badges
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SSG Financial Management Technician
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Maybe if you told someone convincingly that you were involved in the Ft. Hood shooting someone may believe you.
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SFC Recruiter
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I would probably question it if I saw it but I wouldn't make a big deal about it. Wearing your combat patch is your choice and not having it on is not wrong. Some people get offended by that and I personally feel that if you've earned the combat patch then you should proudly wear it. Don't let it get to you too much and I'm sure someone is making a suggestion to make it mandatory to wear one if you've earned it but until then it's completely your choice.
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SSG Carlos Garcia
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Army Regulation 670-1 states: 10. SOLDIERS AUTHORIZED TO WEAR MORE THAN ONE SSI-FWTS MAY CHOOSE WHICH SSI-FWTS
THEY WEAR. SOLDIERS MAY ALSO ELECT NOT TO WEAR THE SSI-FWTS. As it says in the regulation; 'May' and not 'Must.' I wore my CMB while in service, but at times didn't wore my combat patch because of the same based on this regulation.
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SSG Thomas Brousseau
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AR 670-1 Is not the only guidance on the wear and appearance of the military uniform. Your Battalion Commander also has limited authority on deciding this.
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MSG Gerry Poe
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That might go down as a WTHeck moment! No need for a regulation when U are wearing a CAB without a SSI-FWTS!!
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CSM Eric Olsen
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This discussion falls into some commander's love/hate "policy" that all soldiers (O & E) under his/her charge must wear that particular unit's combat patch if the soldier actually qualifies for it. It's certainly not regulation and not really policy letter material; however, the CDRs firepower comes with the "loyalty to unit" premise. I can't say whether I agree, but I must support any CDRs effort to build his unit's esprit de corps. This goes back to your (Wallace) debate in a matter that the CDR can add to but not take away from most regs-his enlisted will initially enforce.
Great discussion, support the command!
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SSG Schools Non Commissioned Officer
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It wasn't really an ass chewing he simply said that there was a regulation and I told him there wasn't then he said to re check ar 670-1.
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SSG Kenneth Ponder
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No such reg, don't have to wear combat patch
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LTC Patrick Turner
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I’m not aware of any such requirement.
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CPT William Jones
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Wearing one without the other your choice. I was in when subdued patches came out for RVN service and started spreading everywhere. My BN CO. A Ltc (tank and branch were worn on collar points then) wore branch subdued and rank as colored( silver leaf) regs didn’t specify only subdued or colored. If regs don’t specify you get to chose. If they don’t say you can’t do something you can do it at least once
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SPC Human Resources Specialist
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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!
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SSG Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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If you earn a CAB does that mean you automatically get a SSI?
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SFC Carlos Cruz
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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!!!
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MAJ Haris Balcinovic
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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.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
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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.
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SGM Bill Frazer
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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.
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SGT Retired
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SGM Frazer: And if in your office, his explanation was “Frankly SGM, the reason I’m not wearing my right sleeve patch doesn’t matter. Could be shame/anger/resentment towards an old unit, could be my dog ate it. There’s no regulation stating I must wear a CAB and deployment patch simultaneously. ( or at all, for that matter). And there isn’t an “explanation of correct wear and appearance of the uniform to superiors who dislike/disagree with how you correctly wear the uniform” portion in 670-1. However, If you’d like to see my ERB, im sure a quick visit S1 can clear this up. Or can I carry on my day Sergeant Major?” Would that explanation suffice?

Again, remember, while you may find it a little fishy looking, a CAB and no deployment Is still correct wear and appearance of the uniform.
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SGM Bill Frazer
SGM Bill Frazer
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And since I was a grunt and you were wearing one without the other- I would ask for a copy of your ERB, and ask why if it was good enough to get shot at while in, why not wear it. Then thank you for your time- Once I had a copy of your ERB certifying it.
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SPC Patrick Fox
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What is a "deployment patch"?
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SFC Bruce Pettengill
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Edited 9 y ago
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
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SSG Demetrius Davis
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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.
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LTC Bink Romanick
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There isn't.
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CPL Bryan Claeys
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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.
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SSG Squad Leader
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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.
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1px xxx
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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.
SFC Founder
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Since you earned your CAB in combat, you should be wearing your combat patch....just my opinion.
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SSG Nick Tramontano
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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' ??
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SPC Matt Johnson
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Edited >1 y ago
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.
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SFC Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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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?
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LTC Program Manager
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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."
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SSG Demetrius Davis
SSG Demetrius Davis
10 y
I would have to disagree with you Sir. Deciding not to wear an SSI-FWTS does not necessarily mean a soldier is trying to piss anyone off. Not saying that is never the case but why should it piss off anyone that someone is exercising their right afforded to them by any AR?
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SGT Squad Leader
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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).
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SGT Jeremiah B.
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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.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
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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.
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