News Military Branches Army Army says combat patches memo on social media is ‘not valid’ The Army has not relaxed the criteria for wearing combat patches. Jeff Schogol Apr 29, 2024 4:30 PM EDT ...

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.

Soldiers are permitted to sew the name tape, U.S. Army tape, rank, and all authorized badges on all camouflage patterns of the combat uniform, Universal Camouflage Pattern, OEF-CP, and OCP.

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.

Currently, soldiers may not wear both their combat badge and their expert badge for their job field at the same time on their uniform. They had to choose.

A new Master Combat Badge is being rolled out for combat veterans who also have earned skills-related honors, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer said.

The Master Combat Badge will be worn in the same location on the Army uniform as both the EIB and CIB, an Army official said on Tuesday. Mariner and Mountaineering Badges Approved ...

Sergeant Major of the Army Walks Back New Physical Training Uniform Announcement A soldier takes the Army Combat Fitness Test at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 19, 2022. (Amanda Clark/U.S. Army photo) ...

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 ...