This month, United States Army soldiers have been trading their shoulder patches at numerous “patching ceremonies” – at large bases including Fort Bragg, NC, and Fort Bliss, TX, to smaller garrisons at the Picatinny Arsenal, NJ.
“A patching ceremony in the U.S. Army is a tradition that marks a soldier’s transition to a new unit or to mark participation in a combat deployment. The ceremony also symbolizes a soldier’s integration into an organization’s history,” the Army explained.
The change in patch follows a directive from the Secretary of the Army – in accordance with Headquarters Department of the Army Execute Order 123-25 – for all uniformed soldiers supporting garrison operations to wear the shoulder sleeve insignia of their installation senior commander’s unit.
Highlighting the Team
The change – announced last month – is noteworthy as it altered the chain of command for the garrison and headquarters staff. Previously the garrison staff, which as Task & Purpose noted is charged with handling tasks including building maintenance, contracting, and even trash collection for the Army’s bases, are part of the Army Material Command, the service-wide command that manages the installations.
However, the new order will have the staff personnel reporting directly to the base commander to the senior commander of the largest unit for “tactical decisions,” and thus will wear that shoulder patch.
“We can’t do what we do here at the Arsenal without the garrison team,” said Major General John T. Reim, commanding officer of the Picatinny Arsenal, during last week’s patching ceremony.
“When you look at where we are at in history, what we are doing in terms of readiness and modernization, and to support our international partners, it all starts with safety, security, wellness, and all the services and support that the garrison provides,” added Reim, who is also the Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments and Ammunition, and wears the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps patch. “I think it is symbolic and important that we are all wearing the same uniform and now the same patch.”
Those serving at the arsenal will now wear the shoulder patch that features the Greek “Alpha” and “Omega,” which was adapted from the organization’s emblem that was meant to symbolize the intricate and continuous acquisition process and mission.
More Than Just A Different Patch
The change of shoulder patch is much more than just a change to the insignia worn on a soldier’s sleeve, the service added.
“The updates focus on streamlining decision-making by empowering senior commanders at Army installations. The changes aim to reduce bureaucracy, improve efficiency, and clarify responsibilities across the Army installation management framework,” the service added.
At Fort Liberty earlier this month – and just before its name reverted to Fort Bragg – a patch ceremony honored the change from the Army Material Command shoulder sleeve insignia patch to the famed 18th Airborne Corps shoulder sleeve insignia patch.
“That new patch looks good on you,” said the base’s garrison commander, Col. Chad Mixon. “Regardless of your duty position, this patch unifies soldiers serving together and is a symbol of connection to one of the most important missions the Army has been entrusted with.”
The 18th Airborne Corps traces its origin back to the activation of the 2nd Armored Corps in 1942, during the Second World War. The adoption of the unit’s patch was seen to signify the post’s enduring role in the nation’s defense strategy.
The History of Shoulder Patches
As previously reported, the use of official unit patches in the U.S. military can be traced back to the American Civil War, when field uniforms became more “uniform” in design. Before that point, units could be readily identified by the color of the piping, and style of the uniform. As the U.S. Army became larger the field uniforms became more standardized – and some soldiers began to adorn their uniforms with an embroidered patch. These were typically made by mothers, wives, and girlfriends on the home front.
Improvements in sewing machines and larger powered embroidery machines decreased the cost and increased the efficiency with which these patches could be made.
When the United States Army entered the First World War and went “over there” to France in 1917 and 1918, American soldiers wore uniforms and steel helmets that at a glance were close in design to the British Army, which had already begun to wear formation signs at the divisional level to distinguish specific units. Taking a cue from the British formation signs, the U.S. Army’s 81st Infantry Division, which had trained at Fort Jackson, SC, became the first American unit to adopt the shoulder sleeve insignia or tactical patch. Because the troops had trained near a body of water known as Wildcat Creek, the patch featured a wildcat on an olive-drab background.
The Army shoulder patches, officially known as shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI), are now worn on the upper left arm of the Army combat uniform. Today, headquarters patches and the U.S. flag are worn on the right shoulder.
