Army wearing marine combat patch?

Question

Okay question which I've had alot of trouble finding an answer too. I'm in the army and served in Ramadi, Iraq 05-06. I'm authorized the 1st Armored Division patch. My question is whether I'm authorized the 1st MEF (Marine Expeditionary Force) Patch. We fell under them while in Ramadi. Some people (including my PSG) wear it and he gave me one. He said there are orders authorizing it. I asked if he had a copy. He didn't. I didn't wear it. I'm out of 1st AD and at a new unit. I was contemplating wearing it but I'm not sure. I mean we did fall under the Marines and worked along side them daily but there's no orders that I can find authorizing it. Any thoughts? Anyone in the same situation? Trying to figure out if I can or not I guess. It's no biggie if I can't, just trying to see if I can because it'd be nice to wear somthing different than the stupid 1 AD patch.

Answer 1

nope
:))))

Answer 2

The only Army Soldier authorized a 1st MEF patch are those who spent at least 6 months under the direct opperational control of the 1st MEF. This is outlined in AR 670-1. Like all awards It also requires the publishing of official orders authorizing the wear.

Incidentally, Marines who saw combat with the 1st MEF and then join the Army (usually in the Guard or Reserves) are NOT authorized the combat patch. It must be earned while being a member of the Army attached to a Marine unit.

MP US Army is wrong. I don't care if he is a CPT. I have orders published to wear the the 1 Cav and 3rd ID as my "former wartime service insignia" or combat patch.

Answer 3

Go to the 1-37 AR website that has the published orders for this patch- dated 4DEC2006. Pages two and three specifically spell out which Army units are authorized the wear of the 1st MEF (forward) Logo as Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS). Good luck.

Answer 4

The Army has tightened restrictions on the wear of Marine Corps logo patches as the shoulder sleeve insignia for wartime service, or “combat patch,” on soldier uniforms. Soldiers who are authorized to continue wearing a Marine patch as their combat patch include those who served with Marine Corps units during operations that qualify for an Army combat patch, as prescribed in Army Regulation 670-1, and who have written approval from the Army chief of personnel or a delegated representative. However, under a policy change that took effect June 11, soldiers in Army units at the company level and higher who are attached to, or under the operational control of, deployed Marine units no longer are eligible for the policy exemption that allows them to wear Marine logo patches as combat patches. The change is designed to preserve the heritage of Army units, according to a directive from the Office of the G-1. Soldiers who serve with a Marine headquarters staff as an individual augmentee are still eligible to wear Marine Corps logo patches. The waiver policy for the wear of Marine patches dates to 2004, when the G-1 at the time, Lt. Gen. Franklin Hagenbeck, responded to a request from the Army chief of staff and approved their wear as an exception to longtime policy. Since then, Army units routinely were serving under larger Marine Corps units, such as the 1st Marine Division, which has the Guadalcanal logo patch, and the 2nd Marine Division, which has the “Follow Me” patch.

Answer 5

Its really easy. If you have orders authorizing you to wear a patch; you can choose which patch you want to wear. I served under the 101st, 1st AD, AND 1 MEF from 05-07. Got orders for all three. Some WEAK Commanders want you to wear their patch, but that is not their choice. You have the opportunity to wear whichever patch you want as long as you have orders to wear that patch. Or you can wear no patch at all(my favorite) and wear your CAB. But I'm a crusty old SFC(RET). I love to challenge what people think to be the truth.
SFC(RET)
USA

Answer 6

The link indicates a new AR 670-1 Mar 07. The letter does not support wear of the patch if I interpret it right. Could not find the new 670-1 in print on other Army sites.

Answer 7

I had served in the military for 23 years, during my deployment to Iraq 05/06 my unit was also attached to the 2nd marine expedition, as well as to the 155 heavy brigade combat team,we was issued both combat patches as well. Besides those ones ,I happen to earned few more, I understand the regulations of combat patches, if we earned it ,use it.

Answer 8

Yep.
I've got a buddy of mine that wears the 1st MEF patch. In fact he also got his in Ramadi in 05-06. Cool stuff. I agree, no one likes to be sandwiched between patches.

Answer 9

You're part of the unit, you are authorized to wear the patch, just the same as the Navy corpsmen who serve with the MEF.

Answer 10

There are a couple of guys in my unit that served with the marines. They were their marine patch all the time. Our commander said they were not authorized to wear it and they showed him the order you speak of that authorizes it. You served with a component of the military it doesn't matter what it is that is your combat patch and you are authorized to wear it (according to my commander after being corrected). If i were you i would wear it proudly!

Answer 11

I was with 3rd Battalion 1st Marines in Iraq and we had some Army intel guys attached to us and was wearing our patch. I guess just check with you chain of command and make sure they won't say anything. As far as I know you are authorized but each command is different.