Shoulder sleeve insignia

== Wear & SSI-MOHC ==

== Wear & SSI-MOHC ==

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. 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.

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|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 (United States)|3rd Infantry Division]]''' and the '''[[101st Airborne Division]]''', have authorized wear of the SSI on helmet covers for unit identification.

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|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 (United States)|3rd Infantry Division]]''' and the '''[[101st Airborne Division]]''', have authorized wear of the SSI on helmet covers for unit identification.

=== Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Military operations in hostile conditions ===

=== Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Military operations in hostile conditions ===

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. According to Army Regulation 670-1, a soldier is authorized to wear the SSI of a deployed higher headquarters to which they were assigned or attached, regardless of whether that headquarters deployed in full.

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. According to Army Regulation 670-1, a soldier is authorized to wear the SSI of a deployed higher headquarters to which they were assigned or attached, regardless of whether that headquarters deployed in full.

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.

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.