3rd Sustainment Brigade receives combat patch

3rd Division Sustainment Brigade
Story by Spc. Gaelen Lowers

Date: 06.03.2010
Posted: 06.11.2010 08:22
News ID: 51219
3rd Sustainment Brigade receives combat patch

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq– Nearly 300 Soldiers with 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), received their Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service during a ceremony June 3 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

“For many Soldiers, this ceremony represents their first time receiving a combat patch, denoting their first time in a combat zone,” said Capt. Vanessa Parker, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion and a Cincinnati native. “For others who have served with previous units, it is their second or third, and in some cases, fourth time receiving a combat patch, but their first time while serving in 3rd Sust. Bde.”

The origin of the combat patch dates back to World War II. Since 1945 the purpose of the patch has been to recognize Soldiers' participation in combat operations.

“Nowadays it’s not uncommon to see Soldiers with a combat patch,” said Sgt. Brandi Brooks, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of strength management with 3rd Sust. Bde., and a Harrisburg, Pa., native. “But this is my first one, so it definitely means something to me.”

This is HHC, 3rd Sust. Bde.’s fourth deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Parker said she believes the Soldiers in the unit will provide the same first-class logistical support to Soldiers here in Iraq, as this unit has always done in the past.

“You should all be proud to wear the 3rd Sustainment Bde. patch on both sleeves, because the best unit you’ve been in should be the unit you are in now,” she said. “Each of you make this unit the best. I’m very proud of each of you and I challenge you to live up to the responsibility of being part of the ‘Titan’ family.”