Expert: Rod Powers - 11/1/2007

Question
In the last year I switched from active duty USMC to active duty army after my term was up with marines.  I have learned that the army wears combat patches on the right shoulder to represent combat service of the unit they have either supported or served with.  In my year in the army, noone has ever given much thought to me wearing a 1st Marine Division combat patch until now.  In the marines, I served with 1st Mar Div with 1st Tank Bn. in OIF I from 2002-2003.  I have seen articles on the army regulation 670-1 stating that if you come from sister branches and you were a combat MOS and have served in combat you rate to wear your patch if it is offered.  Well a few people in the army have gone out and above to order me to remove my patch as they wear the 1st Mar Div patch, hence trying to make me believe they rate it more than myself.  Im looking for the correct article that states whether I can wear the patch or not.  Thank you for your help

Answer
Hi Michael,

I'm afraid that those who have ordered you to remove the patch from your uniform are correct.

This is covered by the Army Uniform Regulation, AR 670-1 (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyreg/l/blar6701.htm), paragraph 28-17 (page 239), which states:

"a. General. Authorization to wear a shoulder sleeve insignia indicating former wartime service applies only to soldiers who are assigned to U.S. Army units that meet all the following criteria. Soldiers who were prior members of other Services that participated in operations that would otherwise meet the criteria below are not authorized to wear the SSI–FWTS. Wear is reserved for individuals who were members of U.S. Army units during the operations."

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information website, at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com