I saw a medic patch being worn recently on the ACU uniform. Is this authorized? I had never seen it before.

To which "medic patch" are you referring?

On the LEFT sleeve, the MEDCOM patch is worn when assigned to a MEDCOM unit. On the RIGHT sleeve, any assignment to a combat-deployed medical unit (e.g., 44th MED BD) may be worn, when earned.

Your question leaves too many holes to answer completely.

You mean like a "Medic" brassard? Don't think they are authorized. Think only EOD, MP, CID and (now) CBRN. But...on that note...I have seen units deployed wear them..so... command decision?

Or,

Are you talking about the Combat Medical Badge worn above the left breast pocket?

I think he's talking about the same patch that MP's wear, only it says Medic.


And the answer is no, at least in Iraq. I tried. The only people authorized to wear it around here are EOD, ISAF, EOD, and CID. I tried to wear mine, but they told me to take it off.

Those Velcro 'MEDIC' patches are specifically forbidden by ALARACT 140/2007

quote:

12. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION (CID) INSIGNIAS ARE AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON THE ACU. THE INSIGNIAS ARE PLACED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE HOOK AND LOOP-FACED PAD ALREADY PROVIDED ON THE LEFT SLEEVE OF THE ACU COAT SHOULDER POCKET FLAP. THE INSIGNIAS ARE WORN AS DIRECTED BY THE COMMANDER.
13. THE FOLLOWING INSIGNIAS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE WORN ON THE ACU: BLOOD TYPES, COMBAT LIFESAVERS (CLS), MEDIC, ALLERGIES, ARABIC NAMETAPES, NO KNOWN DRUG ALLERGIES (NKDA), NO KNOWN ALLERGIES (NKA), PENICILLIN (PEN), ETC.

ALARACT means "All Army Activities". All of them. Not everybody else, except our unit because our Colonel said we could while we're deployed; all Army activities. The patches that you may see are yet another way to separate money from Soldiers. The only authorized emblem is the Geneva Cross Brassard. The Army Combat Uniform implementation ALARCT specifically authorizes brassards, as well as AR 670-1.

I know that Joes just want cool Velcro stuff that other Joes can't wear, but the reasoning behind these instructions are sound and based on treaties that the United States are signatories to.

FM 27-10 hasn't changed much in over 50 years.

quote:

240. Identification of Medical and Religious Personnel
The personnel designated in Article 24 and in Articles 26 and 27 [Articles 36 and 37 of GWS Sea] shall wear, affixed to the left arm, a water-resistant armlet bearing the distinctive emblem, issued and stamped by the military authority.

The U.S. issued brassards have been stamped with a U.S. caduceus on the back. Other countries, such as the U.K. have theirs stamped on the front. The Velcro ones that you can buy from U.S. Cavalry do not comply with the stipulations in this treaty, nor are they issued by a military authority.

Further, the Geneva Convention Cross is recognized around the world. When directed, medical personnel can don this brassard and any images taken during the treatment of civilians or EPWs can be used for exploitation and PSYOPS. Not every native can read, much less read English. A Red Cross is understood no matter how much battle rattle that you're wearing. If your commander needs everyone to know who the medics are, order the authorized brassards.

What are your questions?