Photo By Lance Cpl. Kris Daberkoe | Army Col. Ronald Metternich, Regional Support Command – East commander, tacks on the...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Quinton Burris
RSC-East Public Affairs/NTM-A Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Members of NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan’s Regional Support Command – East added a different type of fireworks to this year’s Independence Day celebration by tacking on combat patches for its members.
Though the ceremony, during which Army, Air Force, coalition and civilian members received the NTM-A combat patch was short in duration, it will leave a lasting impression on all who attended.
“It’s great to know I’ve earned this patch,” said Army Spc. Rebecca Knight, RSC-E combat medic who received her first combat patch. “This signifies a great accomplishment and represents more than just a sign of my deployed tour; it represents my friends, family, and husband who have fought for our country to be free. I’m proud to say I have served my country, and I will wear this patch with the greatest of honor.”
According to Army regulation 670-1, the wear of the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia – Former Wartime Service patch, commonly referred to as a combat patch, is to recognize Soldiers' participation in combat operations and symbolize their deployment in a combat zone. The combat patch is worn under the American flag to show the unit in which members served under while deployed.
“Today we recognize your service in a combat zone and your service and sacrifice to your country,” said Army Col. Ronald Metternich, RSC-E commander. “We honor each and every soldier, airman, coalition member and civilian present in this formation for your service here in Afghanistan.”
“You have earned the right to wear this patch,” said Metternich. “Your work and the work of your predecessors have been instrumental in the security development of Afghanistan.”
The fact that the ceremony was held on Independence Day is not the only reason it was special, it also marked the first time RSC-E awarded its sister-service and coalition members with the coveted combat patch.
“Although the command is comprised of joint forces [Army, Air Force and Polish Army forces] serving here [Afghanistan] to protect our countries, we are all fighting the same fight,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerry Ferguson, an Afghan National Army team engineer. “This ceremony is just another sign of our solidarity and commitment to accomplishing the mission.”
No matter the branch of service, each member of RSC-E proudly walked away from the ceremony with a sense of pride. RSC-East’s information manager Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Fowler expressed it best.
“Today I join the ranks of all those Soldiers who have made the sacrifices and deployed to a combat zone,” said Fowler. “Many will ask what’s the big deal, it’s just a patch? But it’s my patch. My ‘been there, done that’ patch. It’s my ‘I have sacrificed for the good of the Nation patch.’ ”
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.07.2011 12:06 |
| Story ID: | 73364 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 428 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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