Why do units insist that a SM wear the unit patch as the combat patch while deployed with that unit? I resist this.

Having worked in public affairs for a number of years, I can say that it is very helpful for us when a Soldier wears the same combat patch as their current unit of assignment. It looks pretty strange when publishing an article about the 10th MTN DIV and there is a Soldier in an accompanying photo is wearing a combat patch from the 82nd ABN. Of course everyone here reading this knows the difference. But that doesn't stop dozens of people from pointing out the apparent "discrepancy" (because, of course, everyone on the internet is an expert.) Plus it helps us to tell the Army story for that particular unit. As an individual Soldier, the decision is always yours and I will support that.

I think the legend, Billy Preston, said it best when he stated, "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."

Two questions:
1. Are you deployed?
2. Are you in combat, or in a Combat Zone
If you can answer yes to both questions, the patch is authorized; so you should wear it, and be proud.

Look it up in AR 670-1. I'm with you...

READ AR670-1 IN WILL GIVE YOU INSITE ABOUT WEARING A COMBAT PATCH WHILE DEPLOYED

When I was in, I didn't see much of this. Even when it was "a thing", I never encountered anyone who would approach a soldier with a certain patch, i.e. SF, Grenada Rangers, WW2 (We still had a few), Korea. Got out before Panama, so my experience stopped with Grenada.

You guys wear patches down range....?

Former SPC Asshole over here. I never understood why dudes of any rank would openly try to look different in a formation or ceremony. "Oh hey look, we are 98% uniform." You have pockets. Make the formation uniform when it's done put your fave merit badge back on.

I otherwise don't understand making soldiers wear patches of the current unit. Some soldiers worked hard to earn those patches and should wear them until end of service, some soldiers earned them with blood. Command policy to wear a patch is odd. "Oh hey you put boot to ass to earn that patch, but now come wear this weird patch no one wants." It also makes you look like you've deployed once and are still a cherry.

But let's make our formations look good. Take off the weird boots, don't fold your headgear weird, ditch the high speed shades, and look like a kick ass unit.

Unless there was a change in the regulations, the combat patch on right shoulder is worn after leaving the combat theater. Until then, the Unit patch is worn on the left sleeve.

Part of the ARMY VALUES. Some will push for the Loyalty block on an NCOER to get a NoGo if you do not wear it.

The commander can request it under the guise of uniformity. He or she can add to a regulation, but not take away from. Your soldiers are watching so as you pick and choose what orders to follow, so will they. You are undermining your inherent authority as a NCO by doing that. What will prevent them from picking and choosing your orders when they see you doing the same? Your making a statement through your actions that you are above everyone else and the policy doesn't apply to you. Is that the message a leader should send?

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.

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.

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

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.

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)

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.

Same reason why some units want everyone to put their wallets in the right cargo pocket and ID card in your left breast pocket......

Your question, should be posted as why does your wife/husband, force you to wear your wedding ring.

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.

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.