Why don't soldiers stationed on the DMZ receive a combat patch?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 09:32:52 -0400

I understand we are not at war and there is a armistice agreement but NK don't really care about that. The DMZ would just be a speed bump for them. Our soldiers there live, sleep, and work roughly 5km from soldiers that are taught to hate and harm us. I have heard of a memo that can be signed and approved for the wear of patches so why couldn't this be a thing?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 11 at 2021 9:35 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 09:35:29 -0400

You said it yourself... not at war.

Yes, DMZ would just be a speed bump if NK ever goes to war. And *if* that ever happens, likely those folks WOULD be authorized SSI-FWTS.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2021 9:54 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 09:54:25 -0400

Being in close proximity to people who hate you and fantasize of creative ways to kill you is not justification for a combat patch. If that were the case no one would get promoted beyond PFC without having one.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2021 11:07 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 11:07:21 -0400

This isn't 2007, not everyone does or will get SSI-FWTS. You get the KDSM to distinguish that you served in Korea, and an OSR.
If you want a combat patch that bad, contact your branch manager and look at the patch chart to make your next assignment to a unit who is deploying to an eligible location, or convert to a different MOS, apply for certain positions, etc

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2021 11:31 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 11:31:44 -0400

Same reason Soldiers stationed in Kuwait don't get one. You could be in Camp Buehring just 20-25 miles South of the Iraqi border and hear the missile alert siren causing everyone to move to the bunkers in case of an impact. Later you'll find out that the missile launched from Yemen was shot down over Saudi Arabia hundreds of miles from your location. There you are in full kit sitting in a sandy concrete bunker in 120F thinking, "damn this is some bullshit".

The missile didn't hit which is a good thing, but because it didn't no patchy patch for everyone there. That's what Korea is, no impact no patch. Ultimately it's a good thing that there's no patch for Korea even though I know Soldiers want to get patched up, because if there was we'd probably be looking at 28,000 dead Americans and hundreds of thousands of dead South Koreans before we get there in force. Upside to Korea though, you get a medal for going there.

There are places that get the patch that are somewhat questionable but justified and that's just the luck of the draw. Then for those poor bastards stuck in Kuwait, the only ones getting to go forward for a patch are pretty much junior officers when their commanders are trying to hook them up.

Is it always fair? Nope. Are certain Soldiers in certain positions shamming the system to get patched? Of course they are. That's just the game SGT.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 11 at 2021 11:32 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 11:32:55 -0400

If you look at AR600-8-22 for CIBs/Combat decorations and AR670-1 for SSI-FWTS, you will see there are past combat actions for the Korean DMZ. That was also when the US actively manned it, patrolled it, got into fire fights with the NorKs. So if it happens on your watch, you'll likely be recognized. I believe the only US presence on the DMZ is at the JSA and their QRF on another post. When I was there in 1998 they were the only US forces North of the Imjin River.

You may also want to google Korea DMZ Incidents and see what exactly warranted those awards. Soldiers were wounded and killed. The NorKs tried to infiltrate on a daily basis. They shot down US aircraft in international airspace. They tried to snatch prisoners. They captured a US Naval vessel in international waters and held the crew hostage. In 1968 they sent a Brigade across all at the same time and tried to assassinate the ROK President in a failed SOF raid on the Blue House . Now there are dependents there in record numbers. The posture in theater is vastly detached from the DMZ by comparison. There is the occasional Artillery raid on an Island where there are no US forces (perhaps on purpose?) and semi submersible infil of NorK agents to stir up college students and collect Intel. They almost always get hemmed up.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2021 11:49 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 11:49:19 -0400

Hey SGT I feel your frustration on not getting the patch, it’s like it’s own right of passage in its own sense. Trust me I’ve been waiting 5 years for a deployment and when they told me that I had a chance of just staying my ass in Kuwait I was livid beyond the point. Little did I know I got lucky and am in the process of getting that patch. A deployment is a deployment wherever it may be. Everyone in the army will get there chance and there are a select few who go there while career without ever seeing a combat zone which I’ve seen a jump master/drill sergeant that never got that patch so either he’s pissed he never got that opportunity or really loves tradoc! Point I’m trying to make is you’ll get your shot and you’ll get that patch in due time you just gotta look for the opportunity and want that thing.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Apr 11 at 2021 12:22 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 12:22:44 -0400

In the 1960s I spent 3 years in Korea and 2 in Vietnam all in line Artillery or Infantry units. There were plenty of troops in 2nd, 7th Infantry Divisions and 1st Cav on the DMZ who deserved a combat Patch. They faced more danger that a lot of troops in Vietnam did. There were times when I was miserable in Vietnam that I could be just as miserable in Korea and freezing cold too.

Response by SGT Robert Wager made Apr 11 at 2021 12:29 PM

SGT Robert Wager — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 12:29:09 -0400

Because it’s not a combat zone?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2021 3:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 15:29:57 -0400

You literally answered your own question with: "I understand we are not at war and there is a armistice agreement but NK don't really care about that."

It doesn't matter what you do or don't care about.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Apr 12 at 2021 1:01 AM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 01:01:14 -0400

With that criteria all the service members in the National Guard in half the big cities in the US would qualify for a right shoulder patch.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2021 2:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:53:10 -0400

Everyone wants a combat patch deployment until the IDF....or drones dropping bombs....or missiles come flying in. I've been to Iraq and received IDF. I've been to KSA when we damn near got hit (thank God for ADA). I can now choose between 3 patches on my right arm. Yay me (insert sarcasm). Trust me, it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Apr 12 at 2021 3:33 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 15:33:00 -0400

Black berets for everyone! I never miss a chance to toss that in. If you stay in long enough it will happen. Just be good at what you do.

Response by SPC Joseph Kopac made Apr 12 at 2021 5:46 PM

SPC Joseph Kopac — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 17:46:34 -0400

When I returned from Nam in 1972 at Fort Hood, my 1 roommate just returned from Korea. He wore a 2nd Infantry Division combat patch.

Response by SGT William Harding made Apr 17 at 2021 1:05 PM

SGT William Harding — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 13:05:48 -0400

I was stationed in Korea when the old man died in 94’, I was also there when the helicopter was shot down 94’. I was there when another North Korean tunnel was discovered. There were numerous North Korean spies were captured. Let’s just say it was a busy one year tour. I respect and honor those that have done their mission in combat zones. God Blessings!

Response by 1SG Robert Blanchard made May 10 at 2021 8:46 PM

1SG Robert Blanchard — Mon, 10 May 2021 20:46:00 -0400

Because it isn't supposed to be a participation patch..

Response by 1SG Richard DeBilzan made Apr 13 at 2022 9:48 PM

1SG Richard DeBilzan — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 21:48:50 -0400

Guantanamo Bay same situation, but both not at War, not even a Combat Theater. Contact your Branch Manager if you want to get in the s**t and get some shoulder bling. Word of advice…. Be careful what you wish for.

Response by SPC Richard Stengline made Apr 14 at 2022 12:36 AM

SPC Richard Stengline — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:36:36 -0400

That would beg the question of how about the people that went to Central America in the 80s? I know what we did not really looking for a patch but that would open up a can of worms in some instances.

Response by 1SG Fred Hermstein made Dec 30 at 2023 11:03 PM

1SG Fred Hermstein — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 23:03:23 -0500

I am an old 11B who did two DMZ missions in 88 and 89. We had rules of engagement, live rounds, claymores, hand grenades. I was hit by a landmine at Warrior Base and lost hearing in my left ear. Our BN was in fire fights with the North Koreans, I was on an ambush mission during the battle. I saw thousands of North Korean Soldiers come out of caves and tunnels from the North Korean mountains. My squad went through a gate during the battle, and gate guard said, "lock and load boys your going to war and they are out there." The battle calmed down and an American patrol killed one NK, wounded another NK, and there was a blood trail where the NK squad went back to NK. We had a NK spy in our BN TOC giving the NK our patrol locations. I was on a patrol that was compromised by the spy. Whe on OP Oulette I heard sporadic gun fire at times and shot gun fire, so we headed to our bunkers to cover our positions. We did patrol briefs before going on a mission. The missions were secret and the mission briefs were explained by the BN XO. We could not tell anyone our mission plans. During my last patrol mission, we went into NK and got lost in a mine field due to having a new squad leader. The BN that proceeded my BN in the DMZ also had firefights and the BN that replaced my BN also had firefights. The DMZ is a combat zone without combat recognition. Also, the NKs have over 40,000 armistice violations which 100 American Soldiers were killed, 300 South Korean Solders killed, and 600 NK solders killed. Also, thousands of Americans Solders have been wounded or injured in the DMZ. The threat is real, the patrols are real, the minds are real, the propaganda is real, the rules of engagement are real, and the winters are brutal, monsoon season is real, and the American government does not care. We redeploy led from the DMZ, and started a ruthless cycle of traing to prepare for war and the next the DMZ deployment. While traing we had to have EOD teams detonate Korean War minds. When I arrived at Kimpo airport in Oct of 88, the SSG calling out our orders, told us who we're going north, "they been fighting in the DMZ" and he was right. Once again, the DOA and DOD do not want to recognize DMZ deployments.

Response by 1SG Fred Hermstein made Jan 15 at 2024 11:45 AM

1SG Fred Hermstein — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 11:45:55 -0500

The missions were real, the rounds were real, the land mine that damaged my hearing is still real, PTSD is real, the firefights were real, the spy in the BN was real, the infiltration's were real, the alerts were real, the clay-mores we used were real, we carried our weapons with us, we slept with our weapons, and I saw thousands of NK soldiers flood the DMZ during the first fight. I was told several times "boys lock and load you are going into war." In fact, when I arrived at Kempo Airbase, the SFC passing out orders told us 11Bs who were going north to the DMZ, and I quote "Oh, they've been fighting up there." The propaganda from the North stating "we will kill Americans and put your heads on display" was real. And, now DOD/DA/VA are acknowledging the use of Agent Orange with a life span of 100 years and a half/life of 25 years, which means Soldiers serving in the DMZ in late 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s were subject to Agent Orange since we drank the water, took showers with the water, laid in the foliage, and covered in mud and water from Monsoon season. I also recall a few times during training exercises/show of force, we had to stop the training because of landmines (we had an EOD team bow up the mines). Last comment, Congress allowed the VFW to accept Korea DMZ vets, and I appreciate the KDSM for Korea service, but I think the DMZ pin should be allowed on the KDSM.