Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: What is the criteria of being awarded a combat patch?  Is there a certain length of time you have to be in theater?  What is the official document needed to be authorized to wear a combat patch?

ANSWER: Dear Patrick --

You can wear a service sleeve insignia (SSI), commonly called a combat patch, on your right sleeve shoulder, if you have been:

1)  Assigned to a combat unit and with that unit while it was deployed in a combat theater, or

2)  On orders attaching you to a combat unit and with that unit while it was deployed in a combat theater for at least 30 days.

Your deployment or attachment orders specifically indicating which combat unit and which combat theater you were assigned to are the authorization to wear the SSI.  Wear of a combat patch is optional.  If you have earned more than one combat patch you may choose which patch to wear, if any.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your fast response.  I have another question, I had some personnel that traveled to Jordan as part of basically an OPD.  They have been"awarded" a SSI.  Is this possible and should they have some sort of documentation that awards them this?

Answer
Dear Patrick --

To answer your question fully I would need to know all the circumstances around their deployment.  Since the entire Arabian Peninsula is considered a "combat" zone at this time, it appears they meet the "location criteria."  If your unit is a combat unit, they automatically are part of a combat unit in a combat theater, so their TDY orders to Jordan would qualify them for an SSI.

If your unit is not a combat unit, then a local combat unit (currently deployed), would have to attach your personnel to the combat unit and "award" them the authority to wear that combat unit's patch as an SSI.  That is usually done with simple attachment orders awarding both the SSI and the appropriate medal for service in theater.  Although this might seem disingenuous because your personnel were not fighting or supporting the fight, they were there for training, the regulations do not make a distinction about required activities.

Good luck to you, and thank you for your service.