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Old 01-26-2017, 08:37   #6
thid92
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 8
Quote:
Originally Posted by HardRoad View Post
For what it's worth, the SF patch and the SOCOM patch are two different things. The SF patch is the arrowhead with 3 lightning bolts over a V-42 commando knife in the middle (the "electric butter knife".)

The SOCOM patch is an oval with a spearhead in the middle and a wreath around the outside (at least, they tell me it's a wreath - I always thought it was the rope used to tie the hands of the people actually fighting the war.)

I don't know what the rules are now, but back in the early days of the war, you could get a SF patch by being attached to an SF unit for 30 days. All kinds of people would finagle a 30 day vacation at our firebase (loggies, ETTs, medical types, etc.) so that they could get the patch. No biggie there - a ton of support folks assigned to the SOTF got it too.

All kinds of non-SOF qualified folks deploy for SOCOM too, so all either patch tells you about someone is that they happened to be assigned or attached to a SOF unit downrange.

And, really, all the patch actually tells you is that someone had $3.98 to spend at Ranger Joe's.

Hardroad,

Thank you for your reply. I understand the patches are different and the 30 day required to earn it with the unit. I just wasn't sure is SOCOM deployed large enough elements to have outside units attached. If in fact it's a px Ranger thing I want to put a stop to it. I have called out a 1SG that was deployed with me when he was a SSG that wears the CAB that he didn't earn, I am a true believers that you wear what you have earned. I do realize a SF/SOCOM patch doesn't say much being worn on the right sleeve but right is right and wrong must be addressed.
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