Posted on Mar 15, 2014
What's your opinion on combat patches to soldier deployed in Kuwait?
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I'm on a deployment (if that's what you want to call it) to Kuwait & back in December we had the patch ceremony. I personally believe that we shouldn't get combat patches for being in Kuwait. I know the hazard duty pay is being cut in the future. This place is vacation. It has a pool, fast food, & MWR events off post to Kuwait City. I would just like to hear other peoples opinion on this. Usually when I see someone with a patch on there right arm I immediately think Iraq or Afghanistan veteran. Not that I'm using that to judge them or anything.
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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<p>Your opinion of the combat patch is shared by many, I caution you to have pride in your unit and your mission. What you are doing really is important. You can be called forward at anytime to help another unit so be patient and understand the mission is important. Stay focused and stay ready and trained in your warrior tasks and drills.</p><p><br></p><p>I have not had the opportunity to stay in Kuwait for more than a few days and I understand the frustration that you must experience seeing others passing thru going forward or returning from combat operations.</p><p><br></p><p>I ask that you understand that you are a cog in this big wheel we call the Army. Your mission there is very important to the overall strategic mission. Accept that patch and wear it with pride, many that went to high school with you never raised their hand to start with. You were ready and deployed with your unit, wear that patch with pride.</p>
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CPT (Join to see)
I am a Captain in the Army reserve ... deployed in Afghanistan and was enlisted 11 years in the active Navy. You should never Second-guess any award you are given or any recognition. Kuwait is of vital importance to our mission in Afghanistan. Don’t fall down the rabbit hole of he doesn’t deserve that or I don’t deserve that because it’s not where Bullets fly. That leads to just because he’s in Afghanistan he shouldn’t get a patch because he’s in the green zone. Then that leads to he never got shot at or return fire so why does he get a patch. I ran up against this was soldiers. I had to discipline senior combat veterans who diminished the young men serving. Just because we were not an active combat missions does it mean the soldiers serving with me wouldn’t step up had some serious fighting broke out. Don’t ever be ashamed of what you’ve done. It is your duty and you took it on voluntarily you should always be proud of your service to the United States and the leaders above you.
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Kuwait, just like the Afghanistan staging areas, are vital to the fights...wear that patch/badge proudly!
Not everyone can be 'in the fight', but support is vital to continual combat operations.
Not everyone can be 'in the fight', but support is vital to continual combat operations.
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SFC William Swartz Jr
I couldn't have said it better MSG...I spent a year there in Cp Arifjan '10-'11 after I had done 2 Iraq tours in '03 and '05; was interesting to see a different side of the wars while there. Where it proudly if you've earned it.
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SGT (Join to see)
I agree with them both, on my first tour I went early on R-R so I could be home for christmas and my sons birthday, for whatever reason I got droped of the manifest at the last minute ( and yes I did go to all the formations because I didnt want to miss my boys party) and the pax personel jumped over hoops to get me on that flight on time so I could go home. I will be eternally grateful to them because I heard his first "Dada" while there. You guys over have one of the most important jobs, making sure our service members travel back and forth on time which helps keeping them mentally fit as well because it kept me, two thumbs up from this guy !
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SPC Joshua Beckett
100% agree SGM!!! I did 6 months on a tiny COP in Afghanistan, and while Kuwait may be less dangerous and have more fun activities, our guys and girls are still there for an important reason!!!
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Maria Fischer
EVERY SINGLE MILITARY PERSONNEL IS IMPORTANT !!!
Just the fact that you are there anywhere puts you in potential danger.
We appreciate ALL of you for just willingly keeping us safe here in the US.
Please consider using your time in places like Kuwait in prayer for those who are in constant danger. Prayer is the activity that changes the outcome of events.....so keep praying and stay prepared. You never know when you will be called to another task.
You are loved ! We are thankful ! Please be safe and take care. Maria
Just the fact that you are there anywhere puts you in potential danger.
We appreciate ALL of you for just willingly keeping us safe here in the US.
Please consider using your time in places like Kuwait in prayer for those who are in constant danger. Prayer is the activity that changes the outcome of events.....so keep praying and stay prepared. You never know when you will be called to another task.
You are loved ! We are thankful ! Please be safe and take care. Maria
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The combat patch in this day and age is just a sign of pride more than anything. I can wear 8 different ones and I wear the one I'm most proud of (3rd ACR).
The CAB on the other hand should show that you have actively been engaged or engaged the enemy but even that has been given away. The only reason I wear that is because I received it from a combat unit while in Tal-Afar.
I know several guys who don't wear everything they have been awarded. Jump wings when they are 5 jump chumps, CABs for a mortar round 300 meters away, IED on a convoy that was almost a mile long, etc.
I don't judge anyone on combat patches or identifiers, I judge people on character and leadership.
The CAB on the other hand should show that you have actively been engaged or engaged the enemy but even that has been given away. The only reason I wear that is because I received it from a combat unit while in Tal-Afar.
I know several guys who don't wear everything they have been awarded. Jump wings when they are 5 jump chumps, CABs for a mortar round 300 meters away, IED on a convoy that was almost a mile long, etc.
I don't judge anyone on combat patches or identifiers, I judge people on character and leadership.
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SPC Elijah Benson
SSG Goicoechea, I agree with you completely about this being a two way communication. No one will know why if we don't talk to one another. I always encouraged my Sailors (Prior Service Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class/ E-5) and my Soldiers (before and after my Article 15, long story.. lol) to talk to me about any and all ideas and/or issues they may have, in order to maintain unit cohesion.
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