Time in country for a Combat Patch

Few items on the uniform garner as much attention as the awarding of a combat patch. While it seems everyone has a different answer, the standard has changed in the past couple of years.

Soldiers should first reference AR 670-1, Appendix F (3 Feb. 05) for information about the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS).

In 2007, the ALARACT 055/2007 message gave additional information including, "implementing instructions for changes to the wear policy outlined in AR 670-1."

5. THERE IS NO TIME-IN-THEATER REQUIREMENT TO BE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE SSI-FWTS.

and

10. SOLDIERS AUTHORIZED TO WEAR MORE THAN ONE SSI-FWTS MAY CHOOSE WHICH SSI-FWTS THEY WEAR. SOLDIERS MAY ALSO ELECT NOT TO WEAR THE SSI-FWTS.

I just can't quite figure out who authorizes which patches one can wear.

Hands in pockets: AR 670-1

Keeping your hands in your pockets is a big no-no in the Army.

AR 670-1 (3 Feb. 05), 1-9, a(3), says, “While in uniform, personnel will not place their hands in their pockets, except momentarily to place or retrieve objects.”

However, PNN (Private News Network –the great distributor of consistently incorrect information) reports that you are allowed to put your hands in your Winter PT jacket pockets. “Why would they put them there?” is the common refrain.

Obviously it is to hold your cell phone to call Soldiers who are late to morning accountability formation. “Soldiers must project a military image that leaves no doubt that they live by a common military standard and are responsible to military order and discipline,” AR 670-1 says.

Having looked for an exception to policy (none found), and remembering the IPFU is the Improved Physical Fitness UNIFORM, the guidance in 670-1 about not leaving hands in pockets is clear and not the standard. In other words, remember to make on-the-spot corrections with tact when you see Soldiers with their hands in their Winter PT Jacket pockets.

Overseas Service Ribbon

One ribbon on the Class A Uniform that drove everyone crazy was the Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR). Detailed in 5–4 (a), of AR 600-8-22 (11 December 2006), it says, “It is awarded to members of the U.S. Army for successful completion of overseas tours.” Cool, another ribbon.

But wait, not so fast. “c. Soldiers must be credited with a normal overseas tour completion according to AR 614–30.” What the heck is a normal overseas tour? Is that like Germany or Korea or does Iraq count too? AR 614-30 just further confused me plus the award stipulation has changed.

Finally, I found an answer. Over on the Awards and Decorations section of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command under Frequently Asked Questions: Overseas Service Ribbon I downloaded the Word FAQ document.

Question 13: It appears that in every situation, the OSR is only authorized if a Soldier is credited with completion of an overseas tour. Who determines if an overseas tour was completed and ensures the Soldier’s records is posted to reflect the completion of the tour?

Answer 13: The custodian of a Soldier’s personnel records makes the determination, IAW the rules established in AR 614-30, and posts the completed overseas tours to the Soldier’s record. If you are unsure who your records custodian is, check with your S1, they will know.

I pulled out my ERB (Enlisted Record Brief) and in Section I – Assignment Information under OS/Deployment Combat Duty, I was credited with “#S – 1” or one short tour. Cool, another ribbon.

POST-NOTE: I provided a copy of the Oct. 2008 FAQ to my company PAC clerk who passed it onto the Soldiers in S1 who amended it to my ERB.

How do you get a security clearance?

In the Army, not every MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) or Soldier needs a Secret or Top Secret clearance. However, having a Secret clearance can open many doors for Soldiers looking to reclassify to another MOS or find a civilian job.

All Officer Candidate School (AR 350-1) applicants must, “e. have a SECRET security clearance.” My MOS (21C Bridge Crewmember) is closely related to a combat arms MOS (21B Combat Engineer) and it seems that everyone who handles explosives and gets demolition training is investigated during the enlistment and trainee period. Mail clerks – I think – get vetted as a rule for a Secret clearance.

You may have a Secret clearance and not know it. Look in Section II – Security Data of your Enlisted Record Brief (ERB). You should see your Personnel Security Investigation or PSI Status as "SECRET." Also look for “PSI Invest” and “PSI Invest Compl, “for dates to see if a PSI has been started and if it was completed. Mine took approximately six months to complete.

The simple answer is for you to ask your first line supervisor about getting a Secret clearance. You may not be eligible to be a candidate for a security clearance based on your job. Your NCO Support Channel can answer that question. They in turn can get more details from the S-2 shop. If everyone in your platoon has a secret clearance, perhaps you should too.

The process involves a long questionnaire (Standard Form 86) and possibly a personal interview. Be aware, financial issues and convictions (DWI) can prevent you from getting a clearance

Combat Patch Parts

When we deployed, there were a lot of questions about getting our “combat patch.” AR 670-1 is pretty specific on the where and when.

However, when we got back we weren’t quite sure how to wear the patch of the 20th Engineer Brigade which is identified as an airborne unit. Below is the pertinent parts of the ALARACT message that spells it out.

P 061520Z FEB 06
SUBJ: ALARACT 030/2005 CORRECT COPY
SUBJECT: SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA (SSI) AND SHOULDER SLEEVE
INSIGNIA-FORMER WARTIME SERVICE (SSI-FWTS)

1. AR 670-1, 3 FEB 05, WEAR AND APPEARANCE OF ARMY UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA.

2. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO REEMPHASIZE THE WEAR POLICY FOR BOTH THE SSI AND SSI-FWTS. COMMANDERS AND LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS WILL COMPLY WITH AR 670-1, PARAGRAPH 28-16, PARAGRAPH 28-17, AND APPENDIX

F. …TABS THAT ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF A SSI, SUCH AS AIRBORNE OR MOUNTAIN, ARE WORN DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SSI WITH NO SPACE BETWEEN THE INSIGNIA AND TAB.

E. SOLDIERS AUTHORIZED TO WEAR MORE THAN ONE SSI-FWTS MAY CHOOSE WHICH SSI-FWTS TO WEAR. SOLDIERS ALSO MAY ELECT NOT TO WEAR THE SSI-FWTS.