Blake Hall
Not as much as a certain United States Army commander and his team, however.
Because recently they — Fort Carson’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team — rid their combat patches and badges for the “barebones” look of just name, rank, American flag, Army tape and their unit’s insignia.
Col. David Hodne told the Colorado Springs Gazette the intention of the move was to promote more of a unified culture and boost morale by making the rookies feel more comfortable and welcome.
More from the Army Times:
“While we are all proud of our individual accomplishments, when training in the field, we’re building a team and do not need to focus, or be distracted, by our own or others’ individual accomplishments,” said Maj. Kevin Boyd, spokesman for the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
Hodne could not be reached for further comment.
“As time goes on and the Army’s transitioned somewhat, we find more and more of our soldiers without that combat experience,” Boyd told Military Times. “And this really assists them in integrating into the unit.”
Boyd said in garrison, soldiers can pin back on anything they want.
The modification has allowed for their Stryker brigade to train more efficiently, Boyd said.
But the move has some soldiers riled up.
“Combat patches aren’t worn to say ‘look I’ve deployed’ or ‘I love this unit’,” wrote Tom Simpkins on the Army Times Facebook page in an answer to a request for comment. “I wear mine as a scar, I wear it for every single person who deployed with me and every minute of rough times we went through.”
“It seems ridiculous, especially in an infantry or other combat MOSs,” Joseph Crescitelli wrote on Facebook. “It lets newer guys (such as myself) know who to look to for guidance for first person experience as well as demands that extra bit of respect.”