Posted on Feb 13, 2016
Is wearing a combat patch required? Did you feel you earned it in a support MOS?
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I didn't feel a combat patch was a big deal, since I was just doing the same thing deployed as if I was stateside. I never saw 'combat' like infantry units. I was maintenance. Am I the only one?
Posted in these groups: 
15D: Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
15D: Aircraft Powertrain Repairer Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 111
A combat patch doesn't mean you saw combat, it just means you performed your duties in a wartime environment. The vast majority of people who wear a "combat patch" were not in combat. There's no reason for you not to wear it.
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CPL Wilfred Roberge
I never left the base and worked in an office but you know what? I proudly wear my patch because I was away from home for 11 monthes, I didn't see my family, I deployed when so many people said I never would (I'm epileptic), to me it is an honor. Even if we aren't busting down doors we're or outside the wire we could still get killed so I think that qualifies us!!!!
The caught an Iraqi National working on our base pacing distances just like the NVA guy was in the movie Green Beret's so we could have gotten mortared that night if someone hadn't spotted him.
Have some pride!!!!
The caught an Iraqi National working on our base pacing distances just like the NVA guy was in the movie Green Beret's so we could have gotten mortared that night if someone hadn't spotted him.
Have some pride!!!!
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SPC Mark Griswold
He is probably in a unit that makes the distinction between combat and "anything else". This probably also means that it is his unit that is implying that he should be ashamed. My unit was like that.
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Cpl Christopher Bishop
Sir....how would you define “duties done in a Combat Environment” as different that the basic requirement for everybody’s favorite, the National Defense Service Medal (which IIRC is to join duding known time of conflict) ?
I suppose Ive kinda answered my own question...Time of Conflict vs Environment of Combat...but what’s your take on this?
I suppose Ive kinda answered my own question...Time of Conflict vs Environment of Combat...but what’s your take on this?
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SPC Dollins, you were deployed to a wartime theater, doing the job you were trained to do. If you were a helicopter mechanic in the desert, you kept the birds flying that supported the infantry, armor, and cav units at the pointy end of the spear. As a grunt, I want to thank you for doing your job and keeping the birds flying. I have always had the utmost respect for the maintenance and support staff that supported my unit. Without your efforts that for the most part go unnoticed and seldom recognized, the guys at the front wouldn't be able to stay in the fight.
Wear that patch with pride, knowing that you did your part to support the team mission!!
Wear that patch with pride, knowing that you did your part to support the team mission!!
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COL (Join to see)
I whole heartedly agree with MAJ David Wallace! As an aviation maintenance officer, it pains me to think a 15D didn't feel like he was a critical part of the team. Maintenance drives operations and your actions in a high OPTEMPO deployed environment not only contributed to the success of the mission, but think about the lives you saved by keeping those aircraft flying so people didn't have to drive on the roads? We all have our roles to fill and I join several others in thanking you for doing it to the best of your ability!
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No you are not required to wear your authorized SSI-FWTS which is better known as a combat patch. The vast majority of those that deploy never see "combat" and they are lucky for it.
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