Pride of a Combat Patch

Photo By Spc. Michele Holcomb | Pfc. Jordan H. James, Military Police, 268th Military Police Company from Ripley, Tenn., proudly receives his first combat patch at the 112th Military Police Battalion Combat Patch Ceremony Nov. 12.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

11.12.2011

Story by Spc. Michele Holcomb 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - The Army Combat Patch is just one of the things a soldier looks forward to when deploying overseas for the first time. Wearing a combat patch symbolizes a sense of pride for soldiers in the 112th Military Police Battalion.

The 112th Military Police Battalion from Canton, Miss., held a Combat Patch Ceremony for all soldiers who were awarded their first combat patch Nov. 12.

The history of the combat patch dates back to the end of World War II, when the wear of the unit patch on the right shoulder was approved to denote service in combat with that unit. The combat patch does not only signify serving with a specific unit during combat, but it symbolizes two things: the forever connection to the past and the visible statement of shared commitment, value, pride and hardship.

Although some may view receiving a Combat Patch as monotonous, others feel it is a big accomplishment for a soldier in the Army National Guard. “I would liken it to a military rite of passage for these soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Todd Rich, administrative non-commissioned officer for the 268th Military Police Company from Ripley, Tennessee.

The 268th Military Police Company greatly shares a sense of pride in their soldiers receiving their first combat patch because the last time this happened as a unit was in 1990 during Operation Desert Storm.

First Sgt. Keith Luntz of the 268th Military Police Company said, “When a soldier earns the right to wear the patch of the unit in which he or she served in a combat theater, a certain sense of pride and accomplishment is felt. The soldier, forever linked to his or her comrades-in-arms, is indelibly changed.“

The Army Combat Patch is something as soldiers we anticipate during an overseas deployment. As we receive our first combat patch, we accomplish an exceptional feat. Not only as National guardsmen but as United States Army soldiers.

• Date Taken: 11.12.2011
• Date Posted: 12.30.2011 07:21
• Story ID: 81904
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW