Our whole unit is in Afghanistan but we got stuck in Kuwait because of the Quarantine, are we authorized patches?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 13:23:03 -0400

A group of us have orders for Afghanistan and our unit is there. We were the last flight but got stuck in Ali Al Salem because of the Quarantine, now we're getting sent back to Buehring as a reserve force and our commander told us we could wear deployment patches because we were "Supporting Combat Operations" while the whole unit is in Afghanistan. I've read AR670-1 21-17 and it sounds like he's right but we've never left Kuwait. Can we wear our deployment pity patches?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2020 1:34 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 13:34:36 -0400

The reg is saying a lot about the Soldier receiving CZTE, I see it as if you aren't getting Tax Free, then you don't get the SSI-FWTS
OEF Between 9 January 2002 and a date to be determined for those Soldiers deployed to the Philippines, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, who were receiving combat zone tax exclusion and imminent danger pay (IDP), and who meet the criteria of paragraph 21–17a. Between 31 July 2002 and 31 December 2014, both dates inclusive, for Soldiers deployed to the CENTCOM area of operations in support of OEF who received combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/IDP as identified by CENTCOM Command Center–Joint Staff for Personnel and Administration. Soldiers who were deployed in the area of operations on training exercises or in support of operations other than OEF are not authorized the SSI–FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OEF.
OFS between 1 January 2015 and a date to be determined, for Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen in support of OFS who received combat zone tax exclusion and hostile fire/IDP as identified by CENTCOM Command Center-Joint Staff for Personnel and Administration. Soldiers who were deployed in the area of operations on training exercises or in support of operations other than OFS are not authorized the SSI-FWTS, unless those exercises or operations became combat or support missions to OFS.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2020 2:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 14:01:42 -0400

Those deciding to wear the patch in Kuwait...even though they never made it to Afghanistan....are more wrong than a hooker trying to pass a 3 dollar bill in the collection plate during Christmas Mass.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 23 at 2020 2:04 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 14:04:22 -0400

No. You have to be physically present. You never left Kuwait. Kuwait does not rate the SSI-FWTS. You don't earn patches and awards for hypothetical service.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2020 5:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:35:25 -0400

No, though they are giving them out in Jordan so nothing means anything anymore.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Mar 23 at 2020 8:35 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 20:35:29 -0400

Has your Commander confirmed this with his superior.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2020 8:27 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 08:27:28 -0400

I will keep this simple: if you ain't there, you don't wear a patch (badge, medal, etc) that says you were there.
There are HQs and C2 folks in Kuwait that do get one, as they are directing forward elements in OIR or OEF, but they get a poge patch like CENTCOM.

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Mar 25 at 2020 11:56 AM

Cpl Charles Trump — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:56:42 -0400

No dont believe so. Not if your not in a combat zone. The ones that went will get them.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2020 1:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 13:23:55 -0400

this is not a unit citation if you didn't serve in the AO for the requisite time NO you don't wear it or even get it, in my time you only got who you deployed with, not who you supported, ie I deployed with CA, spent 45 days in a JSS with 1st army, even though they gave me my certificate, I could only wear the CA/PSYOP patch.

Response by SPC Robert Styers made Mar 28 at 2020 3:17 PM

SPC Robert Styers — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 15:17:58 -0400

Why would you even want to wear a combat patch if you never made it into a combat zone to begin with?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2020 3:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 15:07:09 -0400

2-22?

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2020 10:46 AM

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 May 2020 10:46:22 -0400

I recommend going to milsuite and check under S-1 Net. Your situation is unique and it comes down to whether you are receiving hostile fire pay/tax exemption. CW5 (Ret) Dillard runs the site for Army G-1 and has several posts on this topic. If it is not answered, he will contact Army G1 for the answer.