Posted on Jul 3, 2016
Why do units insist that a SM wear the unit patch as the combat patch while deployed with that unit? I resist this.
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Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 51
When the "policy" was pushed my way when back in the company area, I would just take my original issue off and re-fit to roll back out. In the days of sew-own; I just ignored the rants from higher.
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As already mention I could see it as an esprit de corps thing; my CSM wore a 1st CAV (Viet Nam) and after Desert Shield / Desert Storm he continued to wear the 1st CAV, until he retired.
But then again why would a BCT want to strip all assigned Soldiers from wearing SSIs; because there is a rift in the BCT between Soldiers with and without SSIs. I do not see this as a BCT problem but as a leadership challenge; to be fixed at all levels. Might as well take of unit patches to because some units talk bad about other unit on post. Since most of these type questions come from combat and combat support MOSs; how about the CIB/CAB/CMB/EIB/EFMB or those in airborne units what about those with Novice / Senior / Master parachutist badges ... why not take everything off the uniforms both utility or dress uniforms and just keep it all in their individual files.
But then again why would a BCT want to strip all assigned Soldiers from wearing SSIs; because there is a rift in the BCT between Soldiers with and without SSIs. I do not see this as a BCT problem but as a leadership challenge; to be fixed at all levels. Might as well take of unit patches to because some units talk bad about other unit on post. Since most of these type questions come from combat and combat support MOSs; how about the CIB/CAB/CMB/EIB/EFMB or those in airborne units what about those with Novice / Senior / Master parachutist badges ... why not take everything off the uniforms both utility or dress uniforms and just keep it all in their individual files.
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SGT Tim Soyars
I think the "remove all rank" works well in Ranger Schoo and SF selection, but outside of that, no. The NCOs need to be able to distinguish between the new privates and the baby officers. (Now, come on. We all have to admit, new LTs have a lot to learn. Good NCOs have a lot to teach the new LTs.)
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had many sm's in my unit with all different combat patches, some of which were sof, they did thier time with these units and under the regs deserved to wear those patches, my time was you wear what unit you deployed with even though i qualified for the big red one, which i still have the certificate, i was civil affairs, things changed after 07-08
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I agree and I also resisted. During my deployment there was a huge push for everyone to wear the unit patch, whether it was your first or fifth deployment.
Many of the other junior enlisted were hot to put on the combat patch as soon as we hit country. My thought was this; we are deployed, this is my first deployment and there is no need to wear something that I was in the process of doing/earning. Other than our "patch ceremony" (in country) where in a company formation my PSG placed the combat patch on my shoulder, I never wore it overseas. I hardly ever wear it now at drill/AT.
Many of the other junior enlisted were hot to put on the combat patch as soon as we hit country. My thought was this; we are deployed, this is my first deployment and there is no need to wear something that I was in the process of doing/earning. Other than our "patch ceremony" (in country) where in a company formation my PSG placed the combat patch on my shoulder, I never wore it overseas. I hardly ever wear it now at drill/AT.
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Courtesy to the host unit. You are not required to unless its an event oriented uniform situation.
On my last deployment my BDE CDR wore his 101st patch (not our unit patch)
On my last deployment my BDE CDR wore his 101st patch (not our unit patch)
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Which ones you're authorized to wear is a bigger issue, there have been plenty of changes ... but soldiers are not required to wear a SSIFWTS ("combat patch" ... shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service), and if they can wear more than one SSIFWTS then soldiers can alternate from one to another, but they cannot wear more than one at a time. Combat patch should be your call, on an individual level, just about the only case where it ever is your personal call.
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SGM Joel Cook
Sir, CSM David Hopkins posted a change to reg AR 670-1 on here yesterday. The major change was that while deployed in a combat zone, if you wear a SSI-FWTS it must be that commands SSI. However I only have 2015 copy which reads differently. My 2015 copy only has Apendices A&B, his has up to F. An article I read also referenced this appendix F as additional instructions allowing BDE CDR's and higher to order stateside units to not wear SSI-FWTS so as to not embarrass new soldiers who do not have one. However I can not access the newer edition of AR 670-1.
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Your question, should be posted as why does your wife/husband, force you to wear your wedding ring.
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It is simply about showing unity and Esprit Des Corp with the men and women which you have deployed with. This should be the least of our concerns when deployed. We all go back to our unit favorite after returning home anyway.
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I did two tours in Iraq with units under III Corps and Fort Hood, two separate different unit patches. It was never mentioned, while we were in Iraq, let alone encouraged, demanded, or questioned. However once we returned back to Fort Hood there were some instances of disagreement and infighting about solders who had more than one combat tour patch being asked or pressured into wearing III Corps patch instead of a different patch the soldier felt more Espirit de Corps, or pleasure or preference in wearing. I was witness to one Colonel pressuring another Colonel to wear his unit's patch instead of the Colonel's patch of personal preference. I wore my first patch because I liked that unit best. I was never asked or had it mentioned to me why I wore it instead of the current unit's patch. It was a patch from Fort Hood and almost everyone knew the unit. Perhaps it is the fact that I was a SGM so no one cared or maybe dared to ask.
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Units do what they want to. I did not wear a combat patch on my last deployment they are not required.
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