Should the Army simplify the ACU unifrom to create less judgement in reference to badges and patches
One of my best CSM's said it to me like this ; "remember when you were a young Private and you looked up to that NCO with jump wings? Now you're that NCO."
Wearing our earned badges and patches helps to encourage others when it comes to ambition and esprit de corps. I'd happily attend Air Assault school if given the chance - not for the BADGE per se, but for the unique skill set it affords, and the wealth of knowledge that can be obtained by successfully navigating the course. There are a wealth of other Army schools, badge/tab producing or not that I would also love to attend.
BLUF - Wear what you earned, wear it with pride, and don't judge others for not having it.
I don't think that it should be "simplified" if by saying that you mean to remove the wear of those patches and badges.
Those Badges and those badges all represent something. Something that was not handed, but earned by the people who wear them.
People who wear them might look down upon those without, and people without might look up to those with them. if "Judgement" is passed in a negative fashion that is where the professionalism of the Army and it's soldiers needs to come into play.
Soldiers with those badges and patches should work to mentor and lead, not to judge and demean. On the opposite side, soldiers without them should be open to some mentor ship among other professionals.
If there truly is a problem with "judgement" caused by patches and badges, the problem en lies with the soldiers, not the uniform.
Im Air Force (88M), and have had numerous deployments where we were subordinate to Army units. I have been presented 3 combat patches, CAB, drivers badge, and a few Army commendation medals. The only one Im authorized to wear on my uniform at any time are the ARCOMs.
I think if youve earned it you should wear it. Period.