What's your opinion on combat patches to soldier deployed in Kuwait?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 11:28:53 -0400

I'm on a deployment (if that's what you want to call it) to Kuwait & back in December we had the patch ceremony. I personally believe that we shouldn't get combat patches for being in Kuwait. I know the hazard duty pay is being cut in the future.  This place is vacation. It has a pool, fast food, & MWR events off post to Kuwait City. I would just like to hear other peoples opinion on this. Usually when I see someone with a patch on there right arm I immediately think Iraq or Afghanistan veteran. Not that I'm using that to judge them or anything. 

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 15 at 2014 4:30 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:30:02 -0400

<p>Your opinion of the combat patch is shared by many, I caution you to have pride in your unit and your mission.  What you are doing really is important.  You can be called forward at anytime to help another unit so be patient and understand the mission is important.  Stay focused and stay ready and trained in your warrior tasks and drills.</p><p><br></p><p>I have not had the opportunity to stay in Kuwait for more than a few days and I understand the frustration that you must experience seeing others passing thru going forward or returning from combat operations.</p><p><br></p><p>I ask that you understand that you are a cog in this big wheel we call the Army.  Your mission there is very important to the overall strategic mission.  Accept that patch and wear it with pride, many that went to high school with you never raised their hand to start with. You were ready and deployed with your unit, wear that patch with pride.</p>

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2014 4:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:31:55 -0400

I think they deserve them. They are the QRF in my eyes!

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 15 at 2014 4:52 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:52:27 -0400

Kuwait, just like the Afghanistan staging areas, are vital to the fights...wear that patch/badge proudly!

Not everyone can be 'in the fight', but support is vital to continual combat operations.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Mar 15 at 2014 6:40 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 18:40:27 -0400

Inhaling sand, living in a huge open bay and burning my skin from the scalding hot water was no vacation for me. In my opinion, Kuwait is its own kind of hell and definitely worth a deployment patch.

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Mar 15 at 2014 8:53 PM

SFC Steven Harvey — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 20:53:38 -0400

The combat patch in this day and age is just a sign of pride more than anything. I can wear 8 different ones and I wear the one I'm most proud of (3rd ACR).

The CAB on the other hand should show that you have actively been engaged or engaged the enemy but even that has been given away. The only reason I wear that is because I received it from a combat unit while in Tal-Afar.

I know several guys who don't wear everything they have been awarded. Jump wings when they are 5 jump chumps, CABs for a mortar round 300 meters away, IED on a convoy that was almost a mile long, etc.

I don't judge anyone on combat patches or identifiers, I judge people on character and leadership.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 6:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 06:11:48 -0400

give away your extra pay if you don't think this i a deployment, and by the way, being in combat doesn't always mean dodging bullets or mortar.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 8:06 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 08:06:48 -0400

I agree with CSM Uhlig and SSG Campbell. Not everyone can be at the front and what we do here is vital to the effort.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 3:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 15:20:11 -0400

SPC Smith, perhaps you should ask questions to your leaders such as 'Why do we wear a combat patch here in Kuwait?" I'm almost positive as a part of the history of a patch ceremony, you are told 'WHY" you are even authorized to wear it. Not to mention the President declared Kuwait a combat zone years ago probably when you were still in high school or even middle school. Please never be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand or know the importance of why 'we' doing things in the military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2014 10:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 22:51:05 -0400

I guess that by reading the responses here my own opinion is the minority, but I think it's ridiculous that soldiers deployed to Kuwait earn a combat patch. Yes, soldiers deployed there do great and wonderful things for their country and the Army, but there's a reason why the SSI-FWTS is commonly referred to as a "combat patch." The wearing of one implies you served in a combat environment. In Iraq or Afghanistan you could have been behind a desk on a FOB the entire time, but you were still in a country that was an active war zone. The same cannot be said for Kuwait, as being deployed there is about as dangerous as being stationed at Korea.<div><br></div><div>I'm simply stating my opinion on this. I'm well aware that big Army apparently disagrees with my opinion, otherwise soldiers deployed there wouldn't get a patch.</div>

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Mar 17 at 2014 3:32 AM

SSG Zachery Mitchell — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 03:32:00 -0400

The patch signifies a deployment no matter how great or how "weak" you feel it is. It does not mean you where in combat. It means you have been deployed. Plain and simple. If you don't think you deserve one for being in Kuwait then it's simple enough to just not wear it. You are only required to wear a deployment patch on your dress uniform. You have the option not to while in ACUS.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 4:15 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 16:15:17 -0400

You are there in support of an Overseas Contingency Operation; hence, you receive the patch. Whether or not you are engaging in combat operations is a whole different scenario. Badges are there to denote actual combat engagement.

Be proud of the awards you recieve. Many times they are few and far between.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 5:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:17:14 -0400

There is nothing wrong with getting a " Combat Patch" for Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, or where ever else.. It is only called a "Combat Patch" because thats what Soldiers want to call it. The FWTS stands for "FORMER WARTIME SERVICE" ..... Wartiem Service is alot more then just getting shot at or blown up! Just saying!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2014 7:04 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 07:04:22 -0400

I think you brought up a good question but it leads to an even larger question.  Are combat patches in the best interest of the Army when they cause division between Soldiers?  <br>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2014 11:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 23:59:50 -0400

Even though you might not see bullets flying or deal with incoming IDF doesn't make what you do any less important. You might have a very specific role in Kuwait, but that is not the limit for could happen. I have known many Soldiers stationed in Kuwait who did cross over into Iraq as part of a QRF. Things like that can happen at a moments notice, so it is important that you don't downplay the significance of your mission. We are all part of a team, and we all have our roles. You can pay the ultimate sacrifice just as easily in Kuwait as in Afghanistan. Keep your chin up and know that you earned that SSI-FWTS on your shoulder!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 12:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 00:29:33 -0400

It doesn't matter what we think or how we feel about it. The fact is the top brass that makes the decisions decided this was a combat zone. The only difference is soldiers in Kuwait combat what to wear to Kuwait city, what MWR trip to go on, what fast food place to eat eat and what policy they can break and get away with. Kuwait can be a great deployment or it can be a terrible one. My opion on the combat patch, well there are a lot of people who just don't have a clue about what it means to earn one.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 12:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 00:41:47 -0400

I was deployed in Afghanistan, I received a patch and cib. If you are deployed in any way, you get the patch. From humanitarian missions to combat. It's visual recognition for services rendered to your country. Now combat distinguishers, those are for actions in harms way. Wear the patch proud.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 5:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 05:48:25 -0400

I don't think it warrants one, seems like its the same for serving in Korea, but then again, I'm not a policy maker or General that does all that, so I don't have the big picture.

Response by SPC Elijah Benson made Mar 20 at 2014 5:50 AM

SPC Elijah Benson — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 05:50:48 -0400

Not sure why you can get one for Kuwait but you couldn't get one while on Bosnia or Kosovo while they were "Combat Zones". Still confused about the Department of the Army's idea about that. I've been deployed a few times but don't have a patch because it was either during my time in the Navy or deploy to Kosovo (ineligible area). As I read before in another comment, it creates a division within a unit.

Response by SSG Courtney Ellis made Mar 20 at 2014 6:16 PM

SSG Courtney Ellis — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 18:16:31 -0400

Soldiers are deployed and assigned various tasks while out there in either Kuwait or Iraq, it doesn't matter whether they leave Kandahar or Baghram Air Base, they are still away from their families and friends making sure the job gets done! Wear that patch proudly and know that there are quite a few of us who greatly appreciate everything you do! SPC Evens you are as important as any other soldier on deployment, never forget that!!

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2014 4:06 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:06:46 -0400

My opinion, if you saw combat while in Kuwait, you get the patch. Having said that, I was deployed with an Army dentist that some how got a bronze star for providing dental care inside the wire. Yes we were in a combat zone but the only combat we saw was with the local feral animals. Meanwhile in other areas of Iraq that were truly taking fire, folks were NOT getting the recognition they deserve simply because their commander said they were just doing their job. Kind of unfair if you ask me.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 3:43 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 03:43:48 -0500

I think a deployment is a deployment. If someone needs to make themselves feel better claiming their deployment is better than another's that's on them not the person getting a patch. There are countless medical deployments, overseas deployments, disaster relief etc etc...

You do have all those things as you said but you also got a mission. Large or small...Do they still have that Ronald McDonald sitting on a bench outside of MD's?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 4:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 16:34:25 -0400

I understand what your saying I won't wear my "combat patch" I earned from my time in Qatar.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 23 at 2015 4:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:52:35 -0500

It should be with unit that the person assigned to.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 23 at 2015 5:19 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:19:59 -0500

My opinion doesn't really matter as I am not the policy maker. But, being in Kuwait is not like being in Afghanistan or Iraq. People complain about the food, the water being to hot or the sand or whatever. Some of the places I went on my first tour, a tube in the ground to piss and crap in was a luxury. I spent a few days in Kuwait and I couldn't wait to get back to Afghanistan. To me, life was more enjoyable in the suck instead of in the rear.
Yes they still deserve the combat patch because they are in direct support of combat operations and there is the potential they me be called forward.
Though, I feel the NG / Reserve should wear their own patch and not the Active Duty unit's patch, just because they fell under the C&C. To me it is showing no pride in your unit. I could wear other patches, but the two I did wear were the two units I deployed with.

Response by 1SG Brian Allen made Nov 23 at 2015 11:09 PM

1SG Brian Allen — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 23:09:47 -0500

Don't be ashamed of your service. Also it is not called a combat patch. AR 670-1 is ssi-fwts. This applies to anyone that is supporting operations. If you are in Kuwait I guarantee you in some shape or fashion your unit is doing just that. Wear your unit patch with pride!