The Army combat patch, officially known as the “shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service” (SSI-FWTS), recognizes soldiers’ participation in combat operations.
The Army has specific guidelines on when and how to wear the patch, which it has revised to reflect.
The implementation of the current “combat patch” policy drifted far from its original intent. Currently, SSI-FWTS recognizes a unit’s participation in or support to combat operations against hostile forces, as designated by the secretary of the Army or Congress
