Where can I find background history on combat patches?

2018-11-27T04:12:59-05:00

I have to teach a class in front of my Company about combat patches. I have never done a class in my life so pretty nervous about it. I need some info on the patches whats the history of them when was it authorized to were it on your right sleeve? How long do you need to be in country to get one on and off in a combat zone? Just some good info. I have to give it to my First Sergeant on the 8th of Dec. Then I find out when I get to sh*% myself in front of people I don't really know. Thank you

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 6:26 AM

2018-11-27T06:26:23-05:00

First is to search for information by their formal names: Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service. I'll provide you one reference to get you started; check out Para 19-17, Army Regulation 670-1 (25 May 2017)

When presenting information to military, follow the rules of KISS and BLUF.

KISS="Keep It Simple, Stupid" means not to over-complicate the topic by adding more background information than necessary to answer the problem.

BLUF="Bottom Line Up Front" means to provide the most relevant information first, and if you need to expand further, do so after you've provided the "bottom-line up front". It's the professional term for writing a TL;DR "Too Long; Didn't Read." Similar to what I did in this response, I answered your question first (part of it at least), then expanded into further details afterward. So in case you ignore everything afterward, you still have the most important information without having to wade through a sea of text. People can have short attention spans (or limited time), so keep them interested by drawing them in with the answers they wanted, then give them the extra later.

Create bullet points for your main points, meaning, don't write your entire script on the slide and then proceed to read it verbatim. Write a short phrase or word on the slide to remind you of the talking point (and cue the audience of what you are about to talk about), then speak directly from your knowledge of that portion (which requires you to actually know the topic through personal research).

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 9:24 AM

2018-11-27T09:24:24-05:00

670-1 gives a history, in that it lists every period and country eligible for SSI-FWTS.
The latest versions also removed the minimum time in country requirement, which means you qualify the day you arrive in a qualifying country or area, as long as you also have orders sending you there.
The reg also points out that the SSI-FWTS is an Army award for Army Soldiers, meaning that if you were not in the Army on that deployment, you are not authorized the SSI-FWTS when you join the Army later, i.e. a Marine deployed in 2007 and joins the Army in 2010 is not authorized a Marine SSI for his deployment with the Marines, which I suspect is why your 1SG feels your company needs a class.
Outline your class: History of the SSI and your unit's deployments, highlights of current reg, current list of countries/areas. That should add up to about ten minutes.
Then write up a list of questions that could possibly come up, and write down the answers for those.
Practice the class out loud about ten times, then practice it in front of someone else at least once.

Response by SGT Mark Estes made Nov 27 at 2018 12:54 PM

2018-11-27T12:54:26-05:00

Just look on Wikipedia lots of info there, then you could talk about specific or most decorated units.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2018 1:18 PM

2018-11-27T13:18:13-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Excellent responses from others. Teaching a class or making any kind of presentation can be scary and exciting. The key is to plan and prepare for the presentation. Study your material so that you feel comfortable talking about it. Prepare a bullet item presentation and practice it over and over until you are ready. Find a couple of friends that will listen as you practice your presentation. The more classes/presentations that you have to give, the easier it will become.

During my civilian career, I chaired many meetings, conducted training, and made presentations. In all instances, I spent the needed time on preparation so I was ready for anything. Make sure that you are familiar with any equipment that you will use, i.e. computers, projectors, etc.

Please provide an update after your class. Good luck.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Nov 27 at 2018 3:58 PM

2018-11-27T15:58:34-05:00

Look at AR 600-8-22 Awards, AR 670-1 and DA PAM 670-1 Uniform Wear and Appearance, Those will give you a good start. In those regulations will be lists of supporting regs and messages that define periods of service and other info on the combat patches.

Response by SPC Greg Barnett made Dec 4 at 2018 11:38 PM

2018-12-04T23:38:36-05:00

Who cares about combat patches you go over there and get injured and get called a liar for it and people have it that don't deserve it, it's a worthless award

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Sep 2 at 2020 9:27 PM

2020-09-02T21:27:06-04:00

Best bet is to Google it, to get started

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Sep 3 at 2020 11:45 AM

2020-09-03T11:45:17-04:00

Patches started becoming a regular thing back with WWI. Pick only a few of the more popular patches, find a couple of people who were famous from those units i.e. Sgt Alvin York was with the Division in WWI (pre-airborne), Audie Murphy was the 3rd ID, What Units were Under Patton's 3rd Corp.