I am deployed to iraq and currently have 2 combat patches on top of the one they are forcing me to wear. I have searched the 670-1 and found nowhere that states they can force me to wear one. I have heard the "add to but not take away" well, forcing me to wear one takes away the right not to wear one. So, now i am stuck with a platoon sgt threatening action in the form of a 4856 or even Article 15 if i dont comply. thing is i would rather wear my 1AD patch instead of some "pog" patch.
2007-11-02 01:02:22 · 15 answers · asked by Ghost0001 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
So, a lot of people have answered this question. I was combat arms before now. I am combat support now. I proudly wear my 1AD patch bc i spent 15 months downtown iraq and lost two good friends. To have people say some things along the line of i have no choice is really not an answer. The regs are black and white. And i have to add, its not the PSG, but the CSM who is pushing this whole ordeal. Now i'm stuck in a hard place dealind with bs from this. Maybe i need to go back to where i came. Combat support hasnt supported me in the 15 months out here.
2007-11-02 02:09:33 · update #1
According to the AR 670-1, and the latest ALARACT concerning the ACU, wear of SSI-FWS (shoulder sleeve insignia - former wartime service), AKA 'combat patch' is optional.
But like 'Rob' said, if your unit is being hard-headed about it, it isn't worth making waves. Just suck it up, and when you transfer out you can wear whatever combat you're authorized to - those authorization orders follow you for life.
2007-11-02 01:25:50 · answer #1 · answered by Aaron W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a former combat vet and now Army civilian contractor I will answer this the best I can as that I myself had 3 combat patches that I could wear. The 7th Id, 3Rd ACR, and 5Th SF. When I was in I had to wear the combat patch of the unit I was in at that time, but when I pcs'd to a different unit that I did not go to combat with I had my choice of combat pach to wear and that is a reg. that you do have a choice as long as you did not go to combat with that unit to wear the combat patch of your choice. I hope this help's. Be safe and come back home.
Former Combat Vet
SGT. U.S. Army
2007-11-02 09:37:36 · answer #2 · answered by Beartoy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only time you have to wear your combat patch is when you wear your Class A's. It is not required in any other uniform. I choose to wear my 1ID patch over my combat support patch also, so you wear what your proud of. If you get a 4856, and they threaten you with UCMJ then go to JAG and see what the legalities are. Good luck and thank you for serving.
2007-11-02 09:28:44 · answer #3 · answered by 400lbtwins 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have to wear the patch of the unit your currently assigned to but it's your choice to wear the patch of the unit you were in combat with but some advise is don't make waves with your platoon Sarge you'll regret it. 1AD all the way.
2007-11-02 11:33:31 · answer #4 · answered by mr misery 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last time I checked noone can be forced to wear a SSI-FWTS. And if you are forced to wear one, I think it should be up to you to decide which one. Sounds like a PSG who's a little intimidated by a CA patch and not some COSCOM or signal unit patch! If it was me, I'd wear what I want and let them push the issue. You're not in the wrong.
2007-11-02 08:23:11 · answer #5 · answered by Can't spell OIF without Oi! 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you have orders to be able to wear the 1AD patch, than guess what, you can wear that one. This happened to a guy i was downrange with, he ended up switching his patch, but a guy in my squad wore his old patch. So one guy gave it up, but the other guy didn't. You can wear the one you want if you have the orders for it.
2007-11-02 09:53:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's your option, but given the fact that they can shaft you any number of ways...is it really worth giving them the reason?
Keep in mind that they can stick it to you in non-UCMJ ways, such as lowering your evaluations, etc. If you didn't want to do "volunteer" charity work as a USAF NCO (not required by regulation), they'd ding you based on the "whole person" concept.
You have a right to choose your patch, but they have the ability to make you pay for it and to cover up the real reason for doing so.
The better part of valor is discretion.
MSgt, USAF (Retired)
2007-11-02 08:05:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wear of the combat patch is entirely voluntary.
"At the option of the wearer, Individuals who were members of an Army unit during the operations listed above may wear the non-subdued U.S. Army organizational SSI of wartime unit." AR 670-1 Section 28-17, para c, section 1.
Later is where you have your NCO in the wrong, and he can get in trouble for forcing the issue because of this:
"Soldiers who are authorized to wear more than one SSI-FWTS have the option of choosing which SSI-FWTS they will wear..."
And it gets better:
"...Soldiers may elect not to wear SSI-FWTS." AR 670-1, section 28-17, para d
Appendix F, para f also paraphrases the above: "Soldiers authorized to wear more than one SSI-FWTS may choose which SSI-FWTS to wear. Soldiers also may elect not to wear the SSI-FWTS."
Also to heavily agree with the 1SG (Ret) below me... if they actually fill out paperwork on you, take it to JAG.
2007-11-02 08:22:19 · answer #8 · answered by Ben 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
".....As before, Soldiers who have earned multiple combat patches may choose which patch to wear. Soldiers may also elect not to wear a combat patch. ......."
2007-11-02 08:21:17 · answer #9 · answered by MonMon 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The one thing I agree with is "company pride". If you don't want to be in the support unit you are in, just say so. Why use a chicken-s*** thing like what patch to put on your sleeve.
2007-11-02 09:59:27 · answer #10 · answered by tom l 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋