Posted on Mar 24, 2014
Does it matter if I don't have a combat patch?
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<font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">I really getting tired of hearing that If you don't go
and get your Combat Patch, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you will not
make it in the Army. What's with that? I've been on 5 rosters and taken off all
5. But been sent to Firs, Hurricanes and Tornados. So getting deployed domestically
does not count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm starting to believe
that everyone that has there Combat Patch, are a little upset that they had to
go. I never turned down or gotten out of one. So I'm passed up because of this.
I would never tell some to go volunteer to go to Combat, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and then have to live with them not making it
or coming back messed up. If you get sent then you get sent. If not, well then
you don't. Makes me a bad leader? I don't think so. My NCOERS don't say I am.
Stop telling everyone to get deployed.. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry,
my 2cents for today. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font>
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">I really getting tired of hearing that If you don't go
and get your Combat Patch, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you will not
make it in the Army. What's with that? I've been on 5 rosters and taken off all
5. But been sent to Firs, Hurricanes and Tornados. So getting deployed domestically
does not count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm starting to believe
that everyone that has there Combat Patch, are a little upset that they had to
go. I never turned down or gotten out of one. So I'm passed up because of this.
I would never tell some to go volunteer to go to Combat, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and then have to live with them not making it
or coming back messed up. If you get sent then you get sent. If not, well then
you don't. Makes me a bad leader? I don't think so. My NCOERS don't say I am.
Stop telling everyone to get deployed.. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry,
my 2cents for today. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></font></p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">
</font>
Posted in these groups: 
Development
Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Development Combat Patch (SSI-FWTS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
14
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0
The combat patch, the CAB, the CIB, the TAB doesn't make you a leader. You are who you are. If you are a good leader, then those things are just a magnifying glass and makes you more of what you already are. If you are a jack-wagon, then it makes you worse because it gives you something to lord over other people about. All that being said, for career progression, it would be wise to deploy. It is a factor when people look at your ERB and compare it to others. There are always people that are just as good as you are. Especially at the top ranks. Every CSM could be replaced with one just as good. So the little things matter. If everything else was equal...if you had two people who were EXACTLY the same...and one had combat experience and one did not, the Army would be foolish to take the guy without that experience. It isn't the defining characteristic of a person, but it is something on top of that.
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LTC Zachary Hubbard
My father-in-law is a retired top sergeant who served in the ADA. He was in Duster, Redeye and Hawk units for two tours in Korea and three in Germany during the Cold War. He also served in Nike Ajax units in Philadelphia and Los Angeles during the Cold War. He never "earned" a combat patch, but that doesn't mean he didn't bust his butt and serve his country proudly. I earned combat patches with the 2d Armored Division in the Gulf War and 10th Mountain Division in Somalia during a 24-year career. Though my father-in-law had no combat patch on his right sleeve when he retired after 22 years, I dare anyone to try to explain how his service meant less to our country than mine.
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I requested so many times in the past to go on every area that was considered a combat zone, and each time was denied and sent somewhere else either to train soldiers or being in the Europe Theater for support. I was an Instructor and the Army felt I was needed more training and qualifying soldiers to be Transporters, I'm still a little disappointed but honored to support in every capacity.
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MSG Floyd Williams
CPT Alexander, I always wanted to make a difference at all cost, because I witness a lot of shady Senior Leaders even the ones I know personally. There are a couple of Senior Sergeants never been out of the country, and doing everything in their power to never go overseas anywhere, it isn't fair to everyone else in uniform. I wish the Army look at this more closely because deployments to combat zones comes with the job and career.
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MSG Floyd Williams
Another thing I failed to mention, I always took training serious because the soldiers I trained lives were in my hands preparing them for wartime missions. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do the right thing, everything about leadership in the Leadership Courses is taught for a reason to lead, save lives, and to be victorious in battle. I'm not perfect flaws is in me, but what is more important to me is doing my best for the sake of the troops and country.
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It doesn't matter if you have a combat patch or not, as long as you are upholding your Army Values and striving to be the best soldier/leader you can. Having a SSI-FWT just shows that you as a soldiers had been assigned to a unit serving in a declared hostile environment and who had actively participated or supported ground combat operations against hostile forces. I don't think it makes you any better than any other soldier, but identifies you as a combat veteran.
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SGT Jay Maples
A soldier is defined by his skills, actions and commitment to duty not by the badges and tabs he wears. Doing your job honorably and to the best of your ability is what is really important not a patch.
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