Posted on Jul 16, 2021
What determines which unit patch one wears on right shoulder in Green Dress?
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I noticed Gen. Milley wearing the 101st patch and wondered why, since that is a MG billet. I figured he must have held commands since then, if he ever was 101st Division CG. I've heard he has had a robust career of combat assignments.
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Dress UniformCJCS
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The patch on the right shoulder signifies former wartime service with that unit, sometimes referred to as a "combat patch". At this point, most Soldiers have deployed multiple times with multiple units. You could wear a different patch every day if you wanted.
From DA PAM 670-1:
21–17. Shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service
a. Authorization to wear a SSI indicating FWTS applies only to Soldiers who are/were assigned to U.S. Army units that meet all the following criteria outlined in AR 670–1.
b. The SSI–FWTS is worn as follows:
(1) Nonsubdued. At the option of the wearer, individuals who were members of an Army unit during one of the operations listed in AR 670–1 may wear the nonsubdued U.S. Army organizational SSI of a wartime unit that was approved by HQDA on the right sleeve of the Army green uniform coat. The insignia is worn centered, 1/2 inch below the top of the shoulder seam.
(2) Subdued. Authorized personnel may wear the subdued SSI–FWTS on the right sleeve centered both vertically and horizontally from the bottom of the pocket flap to the bottom of the pocket on the hook-and-loop-faced pad already provided on the utility uniforms or field jacket (see fig 21–133). The SSI–FWTS is not authorized for wear on organizational uniforms, except as prescribed in this paragraph.
c. Soldiers who are authorized to wear more than one SSI–FWTS have the option of choosing which SSI–FWTS they will wear. Soldiers may also elect not to wear a SSI–FWTS
From DA PAM 670-1:
21–17. Shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service
a. Authorization to wear a SSI indicating FWTS applies only to Soldiers who are/were assigned to U.S. Army units that meet all the following criteria outlined in AR 670–1.
b. The SSI–FWTS is worn as follows:
(1) Nonsubdued. At the option of the wearer, individuals who were members of an Army unit during one of the operations listed in AR 670–1 may wear the nonsubdued U.S. Army organizational SSI of a wartime unit that was approved by HQDA on the right sleeve of the Army green uniform coat. The insignia is worn centered, 1/2 inch below the top of the shoulder seam.
(2) Subdued. Authorized personnel may wear the subdued SSI–FWTS on the right sleeve centered both vertically and horizontally from the bottom of the pocket flap to the bottom of the pocket on the hook-and-loop-faced pad already provided on the utility uniforms or field jacket (see fig 21–133). The SSI–FWTS is not authorized for wear on organizational uniforms, except as prescribed in this paragraph.
c. Soldiers who are authorized to wear more than one SSI–FWTS have the option of choosing which SSI–FWTS they will wear. Soldiers may also elect not to wear a SSI–FWTS
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It's up to the soldier which combat patch, that they've been awarded, to wear. My first one was III Corps, a kind of triangle looking thing. Not very sexy. So when I got XVIII Airborne Corps, the dragon's head, I wore that instead. Years later, I was awarded 1st ID, The Big Red One. Now, that's all I wear.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
All photos of my Dad had the Red One (18th Regt.) during WWII. He was also in 24 ID (19th Regt.) in Korea. I've seen these four unit patches online and considered a shadow box. We buried him in 1990 with a PH on his suit lapel. I have his Expert bar with hangers for Rifle, Automatic Rifle, Carbine, and Machine Gun. Beyond that, dog tags and CIB, as a Light Infantry Assault Man Sergeant.
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LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr.
You absolutely should! All of his insignia, medals, and patches should be available online. I made one for my mother-in-law of her father based on some photos and his personnel file. (He was a CDR in the Navy). Had his ribbon rack made and got the patches for all four carriers he served on. Put it all in a shadow box. She wept when she saw it. A priceless memento.
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The patch designates serving with them during wartime. Christ Sir I have 3, so it's my choice which to wear, just like it is his. Doesn't matter if you are a PFC or 4 stars.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Yes, it does matter, because if you're a PFC and a unit has specific rules on what combat patches they'll allow you to wear, you may be right, but you'll still have a fight on your hands.
Hell, I had a fight on my hands when I returned from Afghanistan, because I was entitled to two different patches....and I returned as a CW2!
Hell, I had a fight on my hands when I returned from Afghanistan, because I was entitled to two different patches....and I returned as a CW2!
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
I remember there were some who got in a wad about combat patches, but not many. Only two I recall were those who wore the bloody red one on fatigues, and some had not heard that MG DuPuy had told Westy that we would be the bloody red one and not the big black one. Westy backed down and as long a Dupuy was CG it was the Red One. The other was the Tropic Lightning with a 3 for third BDE. 3RD was up in IFFV area, a long ways from the 25th in Chu Chi in IIFFV. There were those in the states that did not know that was a real patch.
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