The other day was Memorial Day in Afghanistan. This is the day we honor our fallen colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
In my unit, we chose this day to have our Combat Patch Ceremony. The ceremony honors all of those serving in a designated combat zone by awarding what is known as the SSI-FWTS (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former War Time Service). In day-to-day life back in the states, all soldiers in the Army wear the patch of their unit on their uniform’s left shoulder. Those who have served in combat with a unit are awarded the SSI-FWTS – and are authorized to wear the patch of their unit on their right shoulder as well. This is more commonly known as the “combat patch.”
Today, many soldiers in our unit join the ranks of soldiers before us who are authorized to wear a “combat patch.” For many of the soldiers in the unit this is their second, third, fourth, and even fifth yearlong deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. I am really honored and humbled to serve here and to add my name to the ranks of those authorized to wear a combat patch.
Army Dentistry 