California Guardsmen christen sleeves with combat patches

TIKRIT, IRAQ

12.02.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

By the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs Office

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – California Guardsmen from the 1st Battalion, 185th Armored Regiment, 16th Sustainment Brigade, put on their combat patches at a ceremony in front of the battalion's headquarters Nov. 27.

During the ceremony, each company commander, first sergeant, and representative of the command group, walked the ranks congratulating each soldier on earning their combat patch.

The battalion has its fair share of combat veterans who have been deployed in either Operation Iraq Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom with either the National Guard or active Army, but it also has many Soldiers who have never before been to combat.

"I am very proud to have received my combat patch while serving in a unit of the California National Guard," said Sgt. Ulises Gomez, human resources non-commissioned officer, 1st Bn., 185th Armd. Reg. "This combat patch will be something I will always wear on my uniform, and it will follow me throughout my career."

One Soldier felt that earning the patch was a milestone in his life.

"Receiving that patch during the ceremony was quite an experience," said Spc. Juan Rivas, local area network manager, 1st Bn., 185th Armd. Reg. "I feel proud and honored because I will not only be going back home as a Soldier, but as a veteran. It is a rite of passage that I am very proud of because it shows that I have been there."

• Date Taken: 12.02.2008
• Date Posted: 12.04.2008 05:45
• Story ID: 27170
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ