Army Restricts Wearing Of Marine Corps Patches

[Rocky C]

By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jun 19, 2010 17:50:12 EDT
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The Army has tightened restrictions on the wear of Marine Corps logo patches as the shoulder sleeve insignia for wartime service, or “combat patch,” on soldier uniforms.

Soldiers who are authorized to continue wearing a Marine patch as their combat patch include those who served with Marine Corps units during operations that qualify for an Army combat patch, as prescribed in Army Regulation 670-1, and who have written approval from the Army chief of personnel or a delegated representative.

However, under a policy change that took effect June 11, soldiers in Army units at the company level and higher who are attached to, or under the operational control of, deployed Marine units no longer are eligible for the policy exemption that allows them to wear Marine logo patches as combat patches.

The change is designed to preserve the heritage of Army units, according to a directive from the Office of the G-1.

Soldiers who serve with a Marine headquarters staff as an individual augmentee are still eligible to wear Marine Corps logo patches.

The waiver policy for the wear of Marine patches dates to 2004, when the G-1 at the time, Lt. Gen. Franklin Hagenbeck, responded to a request from the Army chief of staff and approved their wear as an exception to longtime policy.

Since then, Army units routinely were serving under larger Marine Corps units, such as the 1st Marine Division, which has the Guadalcanal logo patch, and the 2nd Marine Division, which has the “Follow Me” patch.

[Garyius]

What was funny was the army does not respect Marine service, so Marines who then join the army cannot wear a combat patch for their Marine service.

[kenrobg30]

If a Soldier comes into the Marine Corps, and has earned the CIB, Can he wear it on the Marine uniform? No joke, I'd like to know. S/F!!! Ken

[Garyius]

If a Soldier comes into the Marine Corps, and has earned the CIB, Can he wear it on the Marine uniform? No joke, I'd like to know. S/F!!! Ken

MCO P1020.34F

The Combat Infantryman's Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is not authorized for wear on the Marine Corps uniform. Upon submission of evidence to their commanding officer, personnel who earned the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge may be authorized to wear the Combat Action Ribbon.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Bingo. NOT authorized. CAR will be awarded (traded) on a 'case by case' basis.

AND, furthermore, if you decide, as a Marine, who served with one of the aforementioned units, to enlist in the army, you are NOT authorized to wear a USMC 'combat patch', as the Marine Corps does not/did not allow you to wear one while you were a Marine.

Army regulations....stupid is, as stupid does...

[kenrobg30]

Bingo. NOT authorized. CAR will be awarded (traded) on a 'case by case' basis.

AND, furthermore, if you decide, as a Marine, who served with one of the aforementioned units, to enlist in the army, you are NOT authorized to wear a USMC 'combat patch', as the Marine Corps does not/did not allow you to wear one while you were a Marine.

Army regulations....stupid is, as stupid does...

Thank You, Sgt. LEP. I call that, a question , well answered. S/F!!! Ken