Soldiers deployed to select countries in the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility between Oct. 7, 2023, and June 24, 2025, are now authorized to wear the patch.

The Army expanded eligibility for the shoulder sleeve insignia for military operations in hostile conditions, commonly known as the "combat patch," for Soldiers deployed to select countries ...

U.S. Army soldiers who deployed to 14 countries in the U.S. Central Command and Africa Command areas of responsibility between October 2023 and June 2025 can now wear combat patches.

It's also unclear how long Army planners have been pushing to expand combat patch eligibility. The change comes a year after an internal draft memo surfaced online, authorizing the patches for troops.