Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Dolsen | Capt. Aaron Harless, the commander of Company G, Forward Support Company, attached to...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE ECHO, Iraq - Task Force 1-82, held a deployment patch ceremony to recognize all of the soldiers on their first deployment and soldiers on their first tour with the 1st Cavalry Division here.
On Sept. 11, 2011, the ten-year anniversary of the terror attacks against the United States, the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment honored those soldiers who, according to Army regulation, are now eligible to wear a deployment patch on the right sleeve of their uniform.
The shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service signifies that a soldier has participated in combat operations in a hostile environment.
The patch is commonly called the “combat patch”, and it is worn on the right shoulder of the uniform just below the American Flag to signify the unit served under the United States. It is awarded to soldiers who are deployed in combat zones for 30 days or more.
About 34 percent of the Army’s total force has never deployed to a combat zone; all the more reason that receiving this patch is a special occasion to soldiers. This is a special event for many veteran soldiers who have multiple deployments, and who take pride in placing the patch upon the shoulder of a first-time deployed soldier.
“It is an awesome sight to see Soldiers who volunteered to support our nation receive recognition for their sacrifices,” said Sergeant 1st Class Richard Wright, the acting operations sergeant major for the Dragons battalion, and who is currently on his fourth deployment. “They should take great pride in wearing this patch.”
The ceremony is a time honored tradition usually taken place in the first few months after Soldiers have been deployed in theater.
“There is a sense of validation after you receive your combat patch” said Sgt. Matthew Freeman, a medic assigned to Headquarter and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiments, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, who is on his first deployment.
After months of training and field exercises at Fort Hood and the National Training Center, the deployment to Iraq and the combat patch ceremony validates the soldiers’ readiness to accomplish the mission and demonstrates the soldier’s commitment to our nation.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2011 15:18 |
| Story ID: | 77266 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE ECHO, IQ |
| Web Views: | 115 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ‘Dragons’ combat patch ceremony, by SGT Gregory Snyder, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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