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Shoulder sleeve insignia
United States Army insignia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) are distinctive cloth emblems worn on the upper left sleeve of the U.S. Army uniform to represent a soldier’s current unit of assignment. When worn on the right sleeve, the insignia is known as the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia – Military Operations in Hostile Conditions (SSI-MOHC), previously referred to as the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia – Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS) or simply the "Combat Patch." It signifies prior participation in combat or designated hostile environments with the represented unit. Authorized for wear by soldiers assigned to divisions, corps, armies, and certain other units designated by the Department of the Army.
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Versions & History
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Colored Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Colored Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) were originally designed with bright colors and detailed symbols to reflect the lineage, honors, and heritage of U.S. Army units. These color patches were intended for wear on service or dress uniforms and not on combat uniforms when introduced, but that changed during World War 1 with the 81st Infantry Division, who are regarded as the first unit to wear colored patches in a war-zone. While initially, the patches were primarily for identification, they quickly became a symbol of pride and unit affiliation.
In 1918, the 81st Infantry Division deployed to France after training at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. Its soldiers wore an olive drab felt patch featuring the silhouette of a wildcat named after Wildcat Creek, which ran through the training post. This patch, worn on the left shoulder, became the first officially recognized SSI in the U.S. Army. When challenged by other units, General John J. Pershing ruled in favor of the 81st’s right to wear the patch and encouraged other divisions to develop their own insignia. The patch was officially adopted by the Army on October 19, 1918, establishing the precedent for shoulder sleeve insignia across the force.
Historically, full-color SSI were worn:
- Introduction with the 81st Infantry Division during World War 1
- On the brown service coat during World War II,
- On the green “Class A” uniform from the 1950s through the early 2000s,
- And occasionally on OG-107 utility uniforms during the late 1950s and 1960s.
They were also displayed on Military Police (MP) brassards, black or dark blue armbands with white “MP” lettering worn in garrison environments with both Class A and subdued field uniforms such as the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) or Desert Combat Uniform (DCU).
During this time, nearly all U.S. Army groups, field armies, corps, and divisions, as well as many major commands, had distinctive SSIs. These designs often contained symbolism relevant to the unit’s origins, for example, the 82nd Airborne Division’s “AA” for “All-American,” and the 29th Infantry Division’s blue-and-gray circle symbolizing its makeup of Union and Confederate states. Most units had unique patches, though armored divisions, the 1st Armored Corps, and the U.S. Army Armor Center used a shared triangular design with unit-specific numbers and, later, labels added to the patch.
With the transition to the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in the mid-2000s, and the eventual retirement of the Army Green Class A Uniform in 2015, full-color SSI were phased out. In their place, the Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB) was introduced which is a metal pin worn on the Army Service Uniform (ASU)
In recent years, the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) or also commonly called the “pinks and greens." Was reintroduced to reflect the WWII-era aesthetic. This uniform authorizes the return of full-color SSI on the left sleeve (ref: ALARACT 029/2021). Soldiers currently wear subdued SSI on combat uniforms when in the field or deployed and full-color SSI on the AGSU and combat uniforms when specified by regulation. The CSIB remains in use on the blue ASU but is not worn on the AGSU or AGSU Class B Shirt.
Subdued
Subdued Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) were developed to ensure uniform concealment and soldier survivability in field and combat environments. These patches are produced in low-contrast, camouflage-matching colors and have evolved alongside the Army’s field uniforms.
- BDU Era Subdued SSI (1980s - Late 2000s)
The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) was the standard field uniform from the early 1980s until it was fully phased out in 2008. To match the BDU’s woodland camouflage, subdued SSI were created in olive drab, dark brown, and black. These patches were sewn onto the uniform. These versions are now obsolete, in accordance with the retirement of the BDU.
- DCU Era Subdued SSI (1990s - Mid-2000s)
For the Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) used primarily during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Gothic Serpent, Early Middle East Tensions and the initial staged of Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, subdued SSI were manufactured in light tan and “spice” brown thread to match the desert color palette. Like their BDU counterparts, these patches were sewn on and have since been retired with the discontinuation of the DCU around 2008.
- UCP/ACU Era Subdued SSI (Mid-2000s - 2019)
With the rollout of the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) in 2005, subdued SSI were reimagined with new color schemes: foliage green, gray, and black, occasionally incorporating maroon or red for units with distinctive branch colors (e.g., medical or artillery). These were the first Army-issued SSI designed with hook-and-loop (Velcro) backing, aligning with the ACU’s modular configuration and shoulder loop fields. This allowed for easier removal, reassignment, and replacement, a significant shift from previously sewn-on insignia.
- OCP Era Subdued SSI (2015 - Present)
The Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), derived from Crye Precision’s MultiCam, replaced UCP in 2015 and is now the standard combat uniform. Current SSI are designed in Bagby green, spice brown, and tan, with no foliage green. They retain Velcro attachment and are worn on the left sleeve to denote current unit assignment, and optionally on the right sleeve as SSI-MOHC to indicate combat service with that unit or previous units assigned too in a combat zone.
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Wear & SSI-MOHC
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The shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) is worn on the left sleeve of the U.S. Army uniform to identify a soldier’s current unit of assignment. On combat uniforms such as the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) and Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniform, the SSI is attached to a hook-and-loop (Velcro) field on the upper arm, just below the shoulder seam.
In situations where a soldier’s upper sleeve is obscured by body armor, such as the Interceptor Body Armor (IBA) or Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), some units allow the SSI to be displayed on alternative areas such as the shoulder straps of the vest or on helmet covers. Certain units, such as the 3rd Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division, have authorized wear of the SSI on helmet covers for unit identification.
The specific SSI worn depends on the soldier’s assignment within the unit and SOP. Soldiers generally wear the insignia of their division, corps, or separate brigade. If the soldier’s unit falls under the operational control of a higher headquarters with a distinct SSI, they may be required to wear that higher headquarters’ patch. For example, First Army directs all subordinate brigades under its command to wear the First Army SSI as a unit patch, regardless of the brigade’s organic insignia.
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Military operations in hostile conditions
The US Army's first official combat patch, or Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Military Operations in Hostile Conditions (SSI-MOHC), was authorized at the end of World War II to denote service in combat against hostile forces. The practice of wearing unit patches on the right sleeve to signify combat experience became official in 1945. While unit patches had been used before, this was the first instance of a specific patch to denote combat service. Soldiers who have participated in military operations in designated combat or hostile fire zones are authorized to wear the SSI of the unit they served with on their right shoulder. This insignia, officially designated as the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia – Military Operations in Hostile Conditions (SSI-MOHC) or formerly known as the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS), is commonly referred to as a combat patch and represents former wartime service.
There is no minimum time-in-theater requirement to qualify for the SSI–MOHC, the only requirements to obtain or earn one are to serve in a Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay, Combat Zone Tax Exclusion Pay (CZTE) and in a Combat Zone. If eligible for more than one SSI–MOHC, a soldier may alternate between them but may not wear more than one at a time. Orders are not issued for authorization of combat patches like in previous years when it was issued alongside with a MEMO of Authorization or in some cases, units produce Patch Certificates as a ceremonial gesture.
In the early phases of the Global War on Terrorism, soldiers sometimes received multiple combat patches due to changing command relationships during deployments. However, policy changed on March 27, 2007, to limit eligibility to a single SSI–MOHC per deployment. Under current policy, soldiers are authorized to wear the insignia of the lowest echelon unit (company level or above) with its own distinctive SSI, with which they were assigned or attached in a combat zone. This change simplified patch entitlement and eliminated overlapping authorizations from multiple command levels.
While all U.S. Army groups, field armies, and corps have their own shoulder sleeve insignia, combat patches are generally not awarded to all soldiers serving under those commands. Only personnel assigned to or directly supporting the corps or army headquarters are typically authorized to wear those insignia as SSI–MOHC.
During the Israel-Hamas War and the Iran-Israel War. The US Army announced through ALARACT 069/2025 that from the dates of 2023OCT07 to 2025JUN24, stating that all US Army Units from Active Duty, National Guard and the Reserves are authorized a SSI-MOHC Patch due to the increasing hostilities in the region of CENTCOM and AFRICOM and with the culminating moment of the Ballistic Missile Attack on Qatar. This is a rare move as the SSI-MOHC or formerly known as SSI-FWTS or the "Combat Patch" has always been an earned item to those serving in regions that qualify you for Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay, CZTE and in a DFAS[expand acronym] Posted Combat Zone which are currently Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabi, Pakistan, Yemen, Lebanon, Israel, Sinai Peninsula and Djibouti.
The 81st Infantry Division "Wildcat" insignia; the first approved SSI.
1st Armored Corps insignia.
1st Armored Division insignia showing division nickname.
4th Armored Division insignia. The division chose not to add a nickname as befit their motto: Name Enough!
A Soldier wears the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team SSI on his ACU uniform while serving in Afghanistan
A soldier with the SSI of the 89th Military Police Brigade on his Interceptor Body Armor shoulder pad.
A soldier with the SSI of the 34th Infantry Division on her MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet.
Half scale insignia of the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade worn on the right side of an Advanced Combat Helmet.
SSI for the 85th Infantry Division. WWI, WWII, 1970-1986, and present
SSI for the 91st Infantry Division in World War II
Variation SSI for the 91st Infantry Division in World War II
SSI for the 91st Infantry Division in World War II
Soldiers with the 94th Military Police Company, Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, places a 1st Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia – former wartime service at Camp Liberty, Iraq.
New York Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1569th Transportation Corps celebrate their "patch ceremony" on June 6, 2014 in Afghanistan.
Soldiers with the 1487th Transportation Company-Ohio National Guard earn the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Former Wartime Service, April 28, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
Soldiers with the 1487th Transportation Company-Ohio National Guard earn the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Former Wartime Service, April 28, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Sgt. Ashanti Harris, assigned to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, receives a combat patch from U.S. Army Lt. Philip Riglick, assigned to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Diyala province, Iraq, Aug. 21, 2010.
A paratrooper assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division displays his newly-awarded shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service patch during a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, July 4, 2015
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See also
- Distinctive unit insignia
- Emblems of the United States Air Force
- Divisional Insignia of the British Army
- Formation badges for the British Army equivalent
- Tactical recognition flash
Shoulder sleeve insignia galleries
References
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External links
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